wellness
Raleigh Expands Free Mental Health Services at Multiple County Clinics
Wake County offers no-cost counseling and stress management options at multiple Raleigh sites with walk-in hours and phone intake.
How we reported this
Raleigh residents can reach free mental health support by calling the Wake County Access Line at 919-250-3133 or visiting the main intake site at 300 S Salisbury Street.
July marks the start of peak demand for these services as summer heat and work deadlines combine with ongoing recovery from last year's storms that displaced families in the Five Points neighborhood. County data shows calls to the access line rose after the April 2026 storm season, when many residents reported disrupted routines and increased anxiety.
Two main entry points in central Raleigh
The Wake County Human Services building on Six Forks Road provides same-day assessments on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon, with free group stress-management sessions held in room 214. A second option sits at the Raleigh Community Health Center on Glenwood Avenue near the Five Points intersection, where staff schedule individual appointments for up to eight sessions at no charge after an initial phone screening.
Numbers behind the need
County records indicate 4,872 people used the free services between January and June 2026, up from 3,910 in the same period the prior year. The average wait for a first appointment now stands at nine days when callers use the main line rather than walk-in slots.
Residents start by dialing the access line or showing up at either location with a photo ID and insurance card if they have one; uninsured callers receive the same services. Staff then match people to counselors or weekly mindfulness groups that meet at the community health center on Monday evenings.