Behavioral Health

Helping Children and Families Reach Their Full Potential

Big Lots Behavioral Health Services

At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we know that an emotional, behavioral or developmental problem can be confusing for children and adolescents – and for those who love them. Big Lots Behavioral Health Services at Nationwide Children's Hospital offers a wide range of services to address the needs of these patients and their families.

Where should you turn after a diagnosis of autism, Down syndrome or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? What if your child is experiencing anxiety, depression or problems with alcohol or drugs?

Our comprehensive, team approach brings together psychiatry, psychology, specialized pediatrics, counseling, parent support specialists, social work and nursing to help with every aspect of a child’s treatment.

As a national leader in childhood Behavioral Health research, we are pushing the field forward. As caregivers, we want to help with your child’s individual challenges.

If you are in an emergency, life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1 or go to an Emergency Department.

Community Resource Directory

The Community Behavioral Health Resource Directory helps connect you with local behavioral and mental health resources.

Access the Directory

Request an Appointment Refer a Patient

Our Programs

Crisis Information

Behavioral Health Pavilion

Patient Stories

Key Programs & Services

Psychiatry provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics addresses the developmental and behavioral needs of children, adolescents and their families.
The Child Development Center (CDC) and Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) offer interdisciplinary assessment and treatment of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and provide consultation, assessment, therapy and support services for children with autism spectrum disorders.
Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology focuses on the relationship between a child’s cognitive, social and emotional functioning and physical health.
Crisis Services provides integrated care in the hospital and its clinics when there is a concern about a child’s danger to self and others.
Inpatient Services cares for children and adolescents with serious psychiatric disorders who are staying in the hospital when treatment cannot safely be provided otherwise.
Community-Based Services provide a broad range of family-centered services in school and at home.
Outpatient Services offers assessment and treatment of mental and behavioral health concerns through standard outpatient individual, group and family interventions. Intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, including the Mood and Anxiety Program and Eating Disorders Program, are available for high-need youth.
Prevention Services supports the social-emotional development of young children and teaches them skills to manage their own feelings and behavior. Suicide prevention education is also taught in a variety of venues, including Columbus City Schools. The Center for Suicide Prevention and Research also provides services across the region.

Crisis Information

If you have concerns about serious injury to your child or others, call 911.

If You Live in Franklin County:

If you live in Franklin County and your child is in crisis and you would like to talk to a mental health provider, call the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Franklin County Youth Psychiatric Crisis Line at (614) 722-1800.

If You Live Outside of Franklin County:

If you do not live in Franklin County but you are connected with a Nationwide Children’s Behavioral Health provider, call the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Franklin County Youth Psychiatric Crisis Line at (614) 722-1800.
If you do not live in Franklin County and are not connected with a Nationwide Children’s Behavioral Health provider, please call your county psychiatric crisis line or current behavioral health care provider for help in determining the best response.
If you do not know your county's crisis line and you or your child need immediate help due to having suicidal thoughts, go to your local emergency room, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or reach the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741-741.

Go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department when your child has an urgent behavioral or mental health concern that needs immediately addressed and your child has no medical concerns.

Psychiatric Crisis Department

The Psychiatric Crisis Department treats children and adolescents for mental and behavioral health crises. It’s like an emergency room for children experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis.

Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion

The Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion is America’s largest center dedicated exclusively to child and adolescent behavioral and mental health on a pediatric medical campus.

Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion Facade

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Learn More About the Pavilion

Read Leah's Story

Name: Leah B.
Condition(s): Anxiety, ADHD, Depression
Age Today: 25 Years

Leah was eight years old when her father passed away from cancer. During Leah’s sophomore year in high school, there was a crisis point where she came close to being hospitalized because of her suicidal thoughts. With treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Services, she learned to manage her anxiety and depression.

Read Sawyer's Story

Name: Sawyer G.
Condition(s): Autism Spectrum Disorder
Age Today: 15 Years

At a little over age 2, Sawyer was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has learned to speak in full sentences, have conversations and look up and respond when someone calls his name. Not so long ago, when asked to stop looking at a book, Sawyer would often scream, cry and sometimes drop to the floor. That seldom happens now.

Read Marissa's Story

Name: Marissa W.
Condition(s): Autism Spectrum Disorder
Age Today: 27 Years

When you meet Marissa, it is hard to believe that this beautiful young lady could have a problem in the world. But the truth is that she knows what it is like to struggle.

Inside Behavioral Health

Meet Our Team

We provide mental and behavioral health services for children and adolescents. Learn about the licensed professionals who may be part of your child's care team.

Meet Our Leadership

Meet our Big Lots Behavioral Health Services leadership.

Behavioral Health Pavilion

The Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion is America’s largest center dedicated exclusively to child and adolescent behavioral and mental health on a pediatric medical campus.

For Families

These resources are meant to help your family as we work together to meet your child's needs.

For Providers

Whether you are a member of Nationwide Children’s Hospital staff or one of the 3,000+ physicians who refer to us, we value your commitment to kids. Access resources for you.