Best Mental Health in South Dakota — 18 resources

About Mental Health for Women

Mental health services for women range from the free 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to community mental health centers, sliding-scale therapists, and inpatient care. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) provides 24/7 referrals, and the Office on Women's Health (womenshealth.gov) maintains resources on postpartum depression, anxiety, trauma, and perimenopausal mental health. Medicaid covers behavioral health in all states, and ACA plans must cover mental health at parity with medical care. Postpartum Support International (1-800-944-4773) connects new and expecting mothers with trained providers. This directory surfaces crisis lines, low-cost therapy, women's support groups, and state mental health authorities.

Mental Health in South Dakota

South Dakota circuit courts hear family matters in each of its seven judicial circuits. The Division of Child Support operates under DSS. Sioux Falls and Rapid City are the largest cities. Dakota Plains Legal Services, East River Legal Services, and the South Dakota Coalition Ending Domestic and Sexual Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services for women.

18 Resources

1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — South Dakota — Free

24/7 crisis counseling for women experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress across South Dakota. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Available 24/7.

988 · Statewide Phone/Text Service · 24/7 · Visit Website

2. SD Department of Social Services — Behavioral Health — Free

State agency coordinating mental health and substance abuse services for women in Pierre. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-773-3123 · 700 Governors Dr, Pierre, SD 57501 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. NAMI South Dakota — Free

Education, support groups, and advocacy for women living with mental illness in Sioux Falls. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

605-271-1871 · P.O. Box 88808, Sioux Falls, SD 57109 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Southeastern Behavioral Health — Sioux Falls

Community mental health services including counseling and crisis support for women in Sioux Falls. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Available 24/7.

605-336-0510 · 2000 S Summit Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Crisis 24/7

5. Behavior Management Systems — Rapid City

Comprehensive behavioral health services for western South Dakota for women. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Available 24/7.

605-343-7262 · 651 Disk Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Crisis 24/7

6. Postpartum Support International — SD — Free

Support for women experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, and mood disorders across South Dakota. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Available 24/7.

800-944-4773 · Statewide Service · 24/7; Crisis Text: HOME to 741741 · Visit Website

7. Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services — Yankton

Community mental health services for women in the Yankton and southeast SD area. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-665-4606 · 300 Capital St, Yankton, SD 57078 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Capital Area Counseling — Pierre

Community mental health center serving women in the Pierre and central SD area. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-224-5811 · 611 E Sioux Ave, Pierre, SD 57501 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

9. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Free

Call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support 24/7 anywhere in the US. Trained counselors help women experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or mental health crises. Online chat available at 988lifeline.org. No insurance required; counselors speak multiple languages.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. SAMHSA National Helpline — Free

Free 24/7 confidential treatment referral and information service for mental health and substance use disorders. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) in English or Spanish for referrals to local treatment facilities and support groups. No insurance required and calls are fully confidential.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. NAMI HelpLine — Free

Free peer support and resource referral line from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text NAMI to 741741, or chat at nami.org. Staffed by trained volunteers with lived mental illness experience.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Mental Health America — Free

Free anonymous online screening tools for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, plus a local affiliate directory in every state. Visit mhanational.org for personalized guidance on next steps.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. MentalHealth.gov — Free

Official US government mental health information hub covering conditions, treatments, crisis resources, and how to find local help. Free 24/7 at mentalhealth.gov.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Postpartum Support International — Free

PSI provides a helpline at 1-800-944-4773, a provider directory, and peer support for women experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, or pregnancy loss. Free virtual support groups and coordinator referrals available.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Crisis Text Line — Free

Free 24/7 text-based crisis support. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Ideal for women in situations where a phone call is not safe. Confidential and available anywhere in the US.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. Therapy for Black Girls — Free

Online therapist directory and mental wellness community created to support Black women and girls. Search for culturally competent therapists by location and specialty at therapyforblackgirls.com.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many mental health resources are in South Dakota?
Women's Corner tracks 18 mental health resources for women in South Dakota.
Are mental health resources in South Dakota free?
14 of the 18 listed mental health resources in South Dakota are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in South Dakota have mental health resources?
Listings span cities including Pierre, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Yankton.
What are some examples of mental health resources in South Dakota?
Featured entries include 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — South Dakota, SD Department of Social Services — Behavioral Health, NAMI South Dakota, Southeastern Behavioral Health — Sioux Falls, Behavior Management Systems — Rapid City.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
8 of 18 South Dakota mental health listings include phone numbers.
I'm in crisis right now — who do I call?
Dial or text 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential, 24/7. For substance use or mental health referrals, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. If you're a woman in immediate danger from a partner, also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
How do I find a therapist I can afford?
Community Mental Health Centers in every state offer sliding-scale therapy based on income. Medicaid covers therapy in all 50 states. Open Path Collective offers
0–$80 sessions nationwide. Psychology Today's directory filters by insurance, sliding scale, and women's issues. Many universities offer free counseling through graduate training clinics.
Will going to therapy hurt my custody case?
Almost never — judges view voluntarily seeking mental health care as responsible parenting. Therapy records are confidential except for narrow exceptions (child abuse disclosure, imminent self-harm). If your ex tries to use your therapy against you, courts routinely reject that argument. Court-ordered evaluations are different and you should have an attorney.
Is there mental health support for postpartum depression?
Yes. Postpartum Support International (1-800-944-4773 or text 'Help' to 800-944-4773) runs a free helpline and connects you to local providers specializing in perinatal mood disorders. Most OB/GYNs screen for PPD and can prescribe or refer. Medicaid covers PPD treatment, and many states extended postpartum Medicaid to 12 months.