The nation's largest street-based mental health network

Mental health care that meets people where they are

The Street Mental Health Coalition connects the clinicians, peer specialists, and outreach teams who bring psychiatric care directly to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness — on sidewalks, in encampments, in shelters, and in the places traditional care doesn't reach.

Clinicians, students, and outreach workers seated in a circle for a small-group discussion at the 2025 Street Psychiatry Conference.

Attendees at our sold-out inaugural conference, New York City, July 2025.

Save the date

Street Mental Health Conference 2027

March 12–13, 2027 · The Delphi Hotel, Los Angeles — two days of in-the-field experiences, workshops, and community with the people building this field.

The call for sessions is open now! Submit a proposal.

A full room of smiling attendees during a plenary session at the 2025 Street Psychiatry Conference.
What we do

A coalition for care beyond clinic walls

Street-based mental health care works — but the teams who deliver it are often building alone. The Coalition exists so they don't have to.

Build community

We connect street psychiatry and street medicine teams across the country — experts and emerging programs alike — so that no one has to figure this work out alone.

Share what works

Through our national conference and shared research and resources, we spread the clinical practices and program models proving themselves in the field.

Advance the field

We promote innovation in how street-based psychiatric care is delivered and sustained, and we support the students and trainees who will carry it forward.

SMHC is a proud partner of the Street Medicine Institute (SMI), the international leader in organized street-based medical care.

Plain language

What is street-based mental health care?

Street-based mental health care — or street psychiatry — brings care out of the clinic and directly to people experiencing homelessness, meeting them on sidewalks, in encampments, and in shelters, on their own terms. Multidisciplinary teams build trust first, then provide evaluation, medications, therapy, and connection to housing and primary care.

Learn how street-based mental health care works
A large group of street-based mental health clinicians and trainees standing together at the 2025 Street Psychiatry Conference.
A field on the move

Our first conference sold out

In July 2025, more than 150 clinicians, peers, medical students, and program leaders gathered in New York City for the inaugural Street Psychiatry Conference. In 2027, we're growing — together with our host city partners in Los Angeles.

225
registrations in 2025 — sold out
160
attendees at the inaugural conference
250+
expected in Los Angeles in 2027
Get involved

There's a place for you in this coalition

Whether you run an established street psychiatry program or are launching your city's first team — whether you're a psychiatrist, social worker, nurse, peer specialist, or student — we'd love to connect.