Questions about VMAP?

Click below to learn more about VMAP:

The Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) is a statewide initiative that helps health care providers take better care of children and adolescents with mental health conditions through provider education and increasing access to child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and care navigators. VMAP ensures that more children have access to providers who are better able to screen, diagnose, manage and treat mental health.

VMAP is now available in every region of Virginia. Providers anywhere have access to regional hub services including a regional CAP and additional behavioral health providers (LCSW/psychologists) to assist with consultations, as well as care navigation services. VMAP also offers pediatric mental health training and education to PCPs state-wide.

No. VMAP is not a crisis line. VMAP is also not intended as a replacement for mental health services that need ongoing management by a psychiatrist or other behavioral health provider (i.e., emergency or complex cases).

If the caller’s patient is in a crisis, they will be directed to hang up, dial 9-1-1, and/or direct the patient to the nearest Emergency Department or regional crisis services.

Children, adolescents, and young adults through age 21 (up to the 22nd birthday) can be served by VMAP.

Throughout the state, VMAP has REACH, Project ECHO, and QI initiatives occurring all year long. To find out when and where sessions are happening, go to VMAP’s Education For PCPs page.

VMAP registered providers have access to all of VMAP’s education opportunities and regional hub services offered via the VMAP consult line.

Providers who have registered with VMAP will also receive regular updates on new educational opportunities and programs as VMAP continues to expand statewide. The intake process to access regional hub services via the consult line is also more efficient if you are already registered with VMAP.

When you reach out to the consultation line, our team will need to collect some important information about the patient before coordinating a consultation or other services. This includes:

  • Patient information – Name, DOB, insurance type, zip code
  • Reason for the call and relevant background information

Please also remember that you should inform the parent/guardian of your intent to obtain consultative advice for these mental health concerns. You will be asked this screening question by the call center.

If you have someone calling VMAP on your behalf (nurse, care coordinator, etc.) please make sure they are aware of the answers to these questions as it will expedite the process.

When you call VMAP during hours of operation, you should expect a return call from the child and adolescent psychiatrist or licensed mental health professional within 30 minutes after you provide some initial information to the person answering the call. Our goal with care navigation services is to provide resources to you as the PCP or to the family directly within 2 business days.

Any call that reaches the call center within 30 minutes of our closing may be diverted to our team covering on the following day. Similarly, if you call the VMAP consult line after hours, you have an option to leave a message but know that your call will not be answered until the following business day.

VMAP’s Consult Line is closed on the following major holidays:

  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day (July 4th)
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving and the day after
  • Christmas Eve and Day
  • New Year’s Eve and Day

Any other holiday closings will be communicated to registered PCPs with at least one week’s advance notice.

We would love to have you be a part of our VMAP network! Our care navigators will refer families to mental health providers in their communities based on location, specialty, participation with the patient’s insurance, and availability. To join our network, please go to our Mental Health Providers page to find out how to connect with Unite Virginia.

Yes, families will benefit from VMAP if their primary care provider uses it. Please talk to your primary care provider about registering or contacting VMAP for more information.