The Mission of the Niagara County Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (NCDMH) is to engage and empower people in Niagara County to achieve optimal health and quality of life, using both community and individualized approaches.
Our Vision is that we will transform the overall wellness of our community through a comprehensive network of innovative, compassionate, and efficient behavioral health services.

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Our programs

Direct Services

Adult Mental Health Outpatient Clinics – The Adult Mental Health Clinics at locations in Lockport and Niagara Falls provide outpatient services to individuals who seek help for a range of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, suicidal feelings and psychiatric illness.

  • Treatment methods include: Individual Psychotherapy; Group Psychotherapy; Family Education; Medication Therapy & Education; Case Management; Crisis Intervention; Trauma Counseling; Physical Health Screening & Health Monitoring; Co-Occuring Disorder Treatment; Linkage and Joint Treatment with a community substance abuse provider; Linkage and referral for other services as needed.
  • Specialties include: Dual Diagnosis/Co-occurring Disorders; Anxiety Management; Solution Focused Treatment; Sexual Abuse Victims; Serious Mental Illness (SMI); Depression Management; Chronic Post Trauma Management. Marital issues are addressed within the context of psychiatric symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
  • Therapy and supportive services are provided by: Licensed Social Workers; Registered Nurses; Licensed Mental Health Counselors; Other Qualified Health Professionals. Medication prescription services are provided by: Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. Physical Health
  • Screening/Assessments and Monitoring provided by: Family Physician and Family Nurse Practitioner.

Ages 18 and older.
Niagara County residents 18 years of age or older. Outpatient services are billed to insurances and may have an associated co-pay fee or a self pay will be established using a sliding fee scale based on income for those with no insurance. Insurances accepted include: Blue Cross; Community Blue; Univera Healthcare; Medicaid; Medicare; Independent Health; Fidelis;Wellcare. Plus a variety of additional 3rd Party Insurers.

Crisis Services

Crisis Services Call Center – Crisis Services Phone Aides are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide a confidential resource in which individuals can receive referrals for services that are needed. Examples include; housing, counseling, substance abuse, food pantries and other community resources. Callers can ask questions and share concerns about oneself or someone you know who may be experiencing difficult life changes or challenges including Mental Illness and thoughts of self harm, suicide, or homicide. If warranted, Crisis Services Phone Aides can provide callers with immediate access to the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team.

Mobile Crisis Outreach / Crisis Intervention – The Mobile Crisis Outreach team, consisting of a Director of Community Services (DCS) Designee and an Adult Specialist or a Child Specialist, has the ability of mobilizing to conduct onsite evaluations in the community when appropriate, for both adults and children currently in Niagara County. Linkage and referral for services as needed. The Crisis Intervention team, staffed by two qualified health professionals, responds within an hour anywhere in the County. Calls are assessed by the team on an individual basis to determine the necessary intervention. This service operates in accordance with NYS Mental Hygiene Law 9.45.

Crisis Services Coordination– Crisis Services Coordination is provided by a Licensed Social Worker who provides Interim Case Management for individuals in need of support, assessment, referral or linkage to long term services for mentally ill residents of Niagara County.

Forensic Case Management– The Forensic Case Manager provides mental health services for individuals who have been incarcerated at the Niagara County Jail or other facility or enrolled in parole or probation. Linkage and referral for services needed. Services are provided by a Licensed Social Worker.

Critical Incident Debriefing– Crisis Services is the access point for Critical Incident Stress Debriefing/Defusing. This service is available to individuals, families, or groups who have faced a recent tragic or traumatic event. This service is provided by a team of Mental Health Professionals to residents of Niagara County.

Onsite Education /Training– Provide onsite training and education to groups regarding suicide prevention and the services available through Crisis Services.

Open to all.
Crisis Services Call Center – Open to All Mobile.
Crisis Outreach / Crisis Intervention – Open to All for Incidents/Events that Occurr with in Niagara County.
 Crisis Services Coordination – Niagara County Residents
Forensic Case Management – individuals who have been incarcerated at the Niagara County Jail or other facility, or enrolled in parole or probation and are in Niagara County.
Critical Incident Debriefing – with in Niagara County.
Onsite Education/Training – within Niagara County.

Hospital Diversion

The Hospital Diversion Program is offered by the Niagara County Department of Mental Health to residents of Niagara County. The Hospital Diversion Program will provide linkages to necessary services. Adults can utilize the Hospital Diversion Social Worker for supportive visits as well as linkages to community resources. The Hospital Diversion Social Worker will conduct an assessment and interview with the individual to determine needs. The Hospital Diversion Social Worker will work with the individual to determine appropriate referrals. While the individual awaits contact with needed resources, the Hospital Diversion Social Worker will maintain contacts with the individual to provide counseling and help maintain mental and emotional stability. The Hospital Diversion Social Worker aims to assist the individual to safely remain in the community and avoid hospitalization. The Hospital Diversion Social Worker is available in the evenings to provide individuals with additional after-hour support, treatment linkages, and referrals.

Ages 18 and older.
Adult Niagara County Residents; Adults with unmet mental health needs who are at risk for hospitalization; Adults with a Mental Health Diagnosis; Adults with a history of hospitalizations; Any adult in need of support while awaiting linkage to services; Families in need of assistance in providing appropriate referrals and linkages for their loved ones; Adults recently discharged from the hospital who do not have referrals or linkages in place.

Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)

Consistent with Mental Hygiene Law 9.60 (Kendra’s Law), under the oversight of the Director of Community Services, Niagara County operates a program that provides Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT). Enhanced monitored comprehensive behavioral health services are provided to individuals with a mental illness who, in view of their treatment history and present circumstances are unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision.

Ages 18 & older.
A person may be eligible to obtain AOT if he or she: Is at least 18 year of age and is diagnosed with a mental illness; and Is unlikely to survive in the community without supervision, based on a clinical determination; and has a history of non-compliance with treatment for mental illness which has led to:

  • Either 2 hospitalizations for mental illness in the preceding 3 years, or
  • Incarceration during which psychiatric treatment was provided, or
  • At least 1 act of violence toward self or others, or threats of serious physical harm to self or others, within the preceding 4 years; and
  • Is unlikely to accept the treatment recommended in the treatment plan; and
  • Is in need of AOT to avoid a relapse or deterioration that would likely result in serious harm to self or others; and
  • Will likely benefit from AOT.

Single Point of Access – Adults

The Adult Single Point of Access (SPOA) establishes an efficient and comprehensive single-entry point for consumers into the service system while providing systems management related to housing and care management services. Consumers of services are able to enter the system more seamlessly, be served more appropriately, and gain more from the experience of being served by one or more of Niagara County’s agencies. All stakeholders (consumers, Niagara County Department of Mental Health, New York State Office of Mental Health, and contract agencies) have the opportunity to view themselves as partners in a collaborative system.

Ages 18 and older.
The Adult Single Point of Access (SPOA) serves Seriously and Persistently Mentally Ill (SPMI) consumers who are Niagara County residents and may have difficulty accessing housing or care management services.

Single Point of Access – Children

CSPOA was created to identify Niagara County’s youth who are most at risk and develop strategies to maintain them in the community. The Children’s SPOA will assess the strengths and needs of a child referred and create a plan to link the child to the most appropriate services. The Children SPOA establishes an efficient and comprehensive single entry point for consumers into the service system while providing systems management. Consumers of services are able to enter the system more seamlessly, be served more appropriately, and gain more from the experience of being served by one or more of Niagara County’s agencies. All stakeholders (consumers, Niagara County Department of Mental Health, New York State Office of Mental Health, contract agencies and other community agencies) have the opportunity to view themselves as partners in a collaborative system.

Ages 5 – 18.
Niagara County’s youth who are most at risk that meet the following criteria:

  • Niagara County resident; Ages 5 and up to 18 years.
  • Have a diagnosis of Severe Emotional Disturbance.
  • Have a need identified on the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strength (CANS) assessment.

Meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Child’s ties to home, school or community are threatened.
  • Has received psychiatric hospital-ization or placement within the past two years, OR is currently at risk of such placement.
  • Has exhibited suicidal symptoms or self-destructive behaviors within the past 12 months.
  • Has had psychotic symptoms within the past 12 months.
  • Is currently at risk of causing personal injuries or significant property damage as a result of his or her emotional disability.
  • Has severe difficulties with at least two of the following: academics / school behavior; abuse / neglect; peer / social interactions; aggression; family functioning.