Crisis Services: A Safe Place for Help
Open for you
Sometimes, when you have a mental health and substance use emergency, it’s best to go to a place that can help you. There are many supportive environments. They offer a network of people who work with you through your crisis. They can also help you plan for any challenges when you go back home.
Crisis urgent care and observation centers
Crisis urgent care and observation centers provide an entry point for immediate support from professionals trained in responding to mental health emergencies in a setting designed for mental health services.
A state administrative rule to regulate the operations of this facility type is being written. This code needs to be in place before a crisis urgent care and observation center may open in Wisconsin.
Comments on the economic impact of the draft proposed rule (Wis. Admin. Code ch. 31) may be submitted through May 21, 2025.
Crisis stabilization facilities
Crisis stabilization facilities support people who can’t stay in their home safely, but don’t need to be hospitalized.
Staff offer 24/7 support in a calming space. Most crisis stabilization facilities provide counseling, therapy, and supports from people who have experienced mental health and substance use emergencies trained to help others with similar challenges.
Stays are arranged through the mental health emergency hotline for the person's county of residence. These hotlines are known as county crisis lines.
Stays range from one day to seven days or more depending on the health and safety needs of the person who needs help.
Select an option below to learn more about crisis stabilization options for adults and youth.
DHS currently funds five crisis stabilization facilities for adults that serve specific counties.
Beaver Dam
Serving Columbia, Dodge, Green Lake, Fond du Lac, and Marquette counties.
Calm Harbor - West
Call: 262-677-2216 (referrals only)
Email: docalmharbor@elevateyou.org
La Crosse
Serving Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Trempealeau, and Washburn counties.
Tellurian Crisis Assessment, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Center
Call: 608-519-3080 (referrals only)
Email: patientservices@tellurian.org
Madison
Serving Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Juneau, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk, and Vernon counties.
Tellurian Crisis Assessment, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Center
Call: 608-222-7311, ext. 179; after hours use ext. 109 (referrals only)
Email: patientservices@tellurian.org
Waukesha
Serving Dodge, Ozaukee, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha counties.
Waukesha County Crisis Resource Center
Call: 262-896-8589 (referrals only)
No email address
Wausau
Serving Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, and Vilas counties.
North Central Health Care Adult Crisis Stabilization Facility
Call: 715-845-4326 (referrals only)
Email: nchc.csfmanager@norcen.org
Call 211 to learn about all crisis stabilization facilities for adults in Wisconsin.
DHS currently funds three crisis stabilization facilities for youth that serve the entire state.
Milwaukee
Lad Lake Masana
Girls ages 13-17
Call: 414-750-6109 (referrals only)
Email: masanareferrals@ladlake.org
Watertown
The Matz Center
Boys and girls ages 10-17
Call: 920-463-0766 (referrals only)
Email: matzcenterycsf@wiscs.org
Wausau
North Central Health Care
Boys and girls ages 17 and under
Call: 715-845-4326 (referrals only)
Email: nchc.csf-managers@norcen.org
Information for facility operators
Rules and regulations
- Wisconsin Stat. § 51.42 - Youth Crisis Stabilization Facilities
- Wisconsin Admin. Code ch. DHS 50 - Youth Crisis Stabilization Facilities
Forms
Certification process
Youth crisis stabilization facilities are certified by DHS under Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 50. There is a two step process to obtain initial certification.
Step 1
Complete and submit the following form to the Division of Care and Treatment and Services: Request for Approval: Youth Crisis Stabilization Facilities Certification Application, F-02595 (Word).
Step 2
Apply for initial certification through the Division of Quality Assurance.
Contact dhsdctsycsf@dhs.wisconsin.gov with questions about the rules and regulations, certification process, and forms for youth crisis stabilization facilities.
Hospitals
Many hospitals provide inpatient mental health care and treatment for people of all ages whose needs cannot be safely met in an outpatient setting.
Know your rights
There are rules to ensure the privacy and dignity of people receiving mental health services are protected. Learn more about Wisconsin's client rights law.