Life can be unpredictable, and for some of us, unforeseen challenges can lead to emotional strain or moments of crisis. In those times, knowing who to turn to can make a big difference. The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is here to ensure that no one has to face a crisis alone. With compassionate, accessible and comprehensive services, the CSB is a lifeline for individuals and families navigating mental health and substance use challenges.
Whether you’re supporting a loved one or experiencing a crisis yourself, here’s what you need to know about CSB’s Crisis Services.
About Crisis Services
Crisis services are designed to provide immediate support to individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use emergency. Sometimes, crises happen suddenly, such as suicidal thoughts or an overdose. In other cases, they might stem from ongoing struggles that feel overwhelming.
Fairfax County’s CSB offers a network of resources to help individuals stabilize and find a path forward. These services are confidential and available to anyone in need—because everyone deserves help when it matters most.
Immediate Crisis Services
Fairfax County CSB provides a variety of crisis intervention options to meet people where they are, both physically and emotionally.
For life-threatening emergencies, it is critical that you dial 911.
For other serious situations that need immediate assistance, the CSB offers support to make sure you have someone to talk to, someone who can respond to you, and somewhere for you to go.
Someone To Talk To
Whether you’re dealing with a mental health crisis, a substance use emergency, or simply need someone to talk to, trained counselors are just a phone call away. Contact the 988 Lifeline, answered locally by the Northern Virginia Crisis Call Center. This confidential hotline is available 24/7 to connect individuals with trained professionals who can provide immediate support.
How to Reach 988:
Call or Text 988. You can also call the local direct line at 703-527-4077. Chat 988lifeline.org
Someone To Respond
When you call 988 or 911 and ask for an in-person visit for additional support, a mobile team can be dispatched to you. Here is who may respond:
- Mobile Crisis Teams: Mental Health Professionals Only.
- When you call the 988 Crisis Call Center in Northern Virginia and desire an in-person response, a mobile team can be dispatched to you within an hour.
- The CSB operates a separate Mobile Crisis Unit that provides on-scene evaluation and crisis intervention services for individuals who are experiencing a mental health emergency and who need mental health treatment but are unwilling or unable to seek support.
- Co-Responder Teams: Mental Health Professional & Police Officer. The Co-Responder Team pairs a Crisis Intervention Team trained police officer with a CSB Crisis Intervention Specialist to respond to public safety calls that are related to behavioral health issues. One of the goals of this program is to divert community members from hospitalization, arrest or incarceration. Co-Responder Teams respond to calls made to 911.
- Crisis Intervention Trained Police. Crisis Intervention Training is a 40-hour class that certifies public safety personnel, like police officers and Sheriff’s deputies, with skills that improve the criminal justice system response to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis or those with a mental illness or developmental disability. These officers and deputies have been trained to manage interactions with individuals in crisis.
How to Request Support
- Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies, ask for a CIT officer.
- For non-life-threatening emergencies:
- When you are seeking in-person help for yourself or someone else, call the 988 Crisis Call Center in Northern Virginia directly at 703-527-4077.
- If you are seeking help for a family member or loved one who may be resistant to receiving help, call the CSB Mobile Crisis Unit at 703-573-5679 TTY 711.
- If someone with a developmental disability is experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis, call REACH at 855-897-8278.
Somewhere To Go
24/7 Walk-in Services at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health
When you come to CSB Emergency Services at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health, you can expect to be seen by a compassionate clinician who will assess the risk of the situation and help you get the services you need. This may include medication, detoxification, or in some cases, hospitalization at another facility.
The Bulova Center is not a hospital; people do not stay there. It can be considered similar to urgent care for mental health and substance use concerns.
Go to: Lower-Level Emergency Services Entrance located at 8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, Virginia, 22031
Non-Emergency Crisis Services
The CSB also provides additional specialized crisis services:
1. Detoxification & Substance Use Support
For individuals experiencing a substance use crisis, Fairfax Detoxification Services offer medical support and care to safely manage withdrawal and begin recovery. The CSB works closely with individuals to connect them with resources for ongoing treatment.
2. Crisis Stabilization and Short-Term Residential Programs
For those needing more intensive support, CSB provides short-term residential programs designed to stabilize mental health crises in a safe, structured environment. These programs aim to reduce the need for hospitalization while addressing immediate concerns.
3. Intellectual or Developmental Disability Crisis Services
Regional, Education, Assessment, Crisis Services, Habilitation (REACH) provides mobile crisis response services to children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. REACH aims to improve the quality of life and decrease facility placements and/or inpatient hospitalization.
Access CSB Resources
Life may have challenges, but support is always available.
For CSB Non-Emergency Behavioral Health Services, call CSB Entry & Referral at 703-383-8500 TTY 771, to speak with someone who can help connect you to the right resources.
- Call Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Walk-in at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Healing is Possible
The CSB understands that reaching out for help can feel overwhelming, but our team is here to make the process as simple and supportive as possible. Seeking help is not a sign of failure, it’s a courageous step toward healing and hope.
Contact Information
For media inquiries, contact CSBCommunications@fairfaxcounty.gov.