Free mental health services for qualified children and adults in mid-Missouri are now available through Lutheran Family and Children’s Services.
The initiative, which was made possible through funding from the Boone County Children’s Services Fund, is intended to remove barriers to accessing essential mental health support in the community. LFCS is a statewide agency headquartered in St. Louis, with a regional office in Columbia and four other Missouri communities.
“Mental well-being is the heartbeat of a thriving community, and it’s our mission at LFCS to protect it,” said Anastasia Wexler, assistant director of behavioral health. In a news release announcing immediate access to the services, she added, “Thanks to the Boone County Children’s Fund, we are ready to welcome children and adults looking for a clear path toward healing and resilience.”
The organization emphasized that free services come at a time of rising need across the state. According to a recent Missouri Student Survey, youth mental health challenges in the region remain significant, with nearly 17 percent of students in Boone County and 12 percent of students in Cole County reporting they seriously considered suicide in the past year. The survey also found that over 23 percent of mid-Missouri students reported feeling hopeless about the future, highlighting a critical need for early intervention and consistent support.
LFCS officials said that recognizing the increasing need for accessible mental health care and support led to the nonprofit’s commitment to providing “timely and confidential services to Mid-Missouri residents.” That means qualified children and adults in mid-Missouri can now access professional counseling and support. LFCS provides various mental health services to meet diverse needs, including individual counseling, group therapy, family counseling, crisis support, and trauma-informed care.
“We encourage anyone in mid-Missouri who feels they could benefit from mental health support to reach out to us,” Wexler said in the news release.
Mid-Missouri residents aged 18 and over can contact LFCS at 866-326-LFCS or email [email protected] to determine if they qualify for free mental health services.
LFCS provides six support areas to help children and families: adoption, behavioral health, parenting education, pregnancy support, foster care, and childcare at the Hilltop Child and Family Development Center in North St. Louis.
