Seriously mentally ill persons are adults whose emotional or behavioral functioning is so impaired as to interfere with their capacity to remain in the community without supportive treatment. The mental impairment is severe and persistent and may result in a limitation of their functional capacities for primary activities of daily living, interpersonal relationships, homemaking, self-care, employment, or recreation. The mental impairment may limit their ability to seek or receive local, state, or federal assistance such as housing, medical and dental care, rehabilitation services, income assistance, or protective services. 

Seriously emotionally disturbed are persons between birth and age 18 who currently or at any time during the past year have had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that resulted in a functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits the person’s role or functioning in family, school, or community activities. 

In Arizona, the primary points of contact for these groups are the five Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHA), which serve the entire state:

Northern AZ

Health Choice Integrated Care
1300 South Yale Street
Flagstaff, AZ 856001
(800) 640-2123
Hearing Impaired (800) 842-4681

Maricopa County

Integrated Care
435 E. Cotton Center Blvd., Bldg. D
Phoenix, AZ 85040
(602) 586-1841
Crisis Line (602) 222-9444
Hearing Impaired (800) 327-9254

Southern AZ

Cenpatico Integrated Care
333 E. Wetmore Road, Suite 500
Tucson, AZ  85705
Crisis Line (866) 495-6735
Customer Service (866) 495-6738

See Area Map for RBHA Territories