3 hours ago The minimum amount of time to request an appointment is 3 days, but does not guarantee an appointment. As schedules allow, we will do our best to provide an appointment in a reasonable amount of time. For all urgent requests, it is best to call the office at (831) 427-3500. >> Go To The Portal
Mental health services and urgent care are available 24 hours by calling 831-454-4170 or 800-952-2335. Bilingual mental health clinicians and psychiatrists provide assessments and referrals to mental health services 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Walk-in crisis services also are available at 1400 Emeline Ave., Building K., Santa Cruz.
The Adult Mental Health Services Program is part of Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency's Behavioral Health Division. We provide supportive services to transition age youth (18-25), adults (25-60) and older adults (over 60) in need of mental health treatment.
Calls that require crisis response are routed to staff if the caller is a behavioral health county client. Call screeners also provide information on law enforcement response, medical response and the county’s crisis stabilization unit at 2250 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. Contact and hours: Call 1-800-952-2335.
People who are homeless can request mental health services from the Homeless Persons’ Health Project, a Santa Cruz-based clinic. Teams of about six county mental health client specialists and public health nurses twice a week visit homeless camps such as the one near San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz.
County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is a Division of the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (HSA). At BHS, we care for the whole person with compassion and respect your cultural values and unique needs. Our goal is to help you achieve and maintain long term health, wellness, and recovery; and to foster healthy families and communities.
Individuals seeking services from BHS often present with complex problems that include mental health, substance use, and physical health needs. With your input and focus on necessary comprehensive care, our treatment staff strive to recognize, assess, and address the complexities of the lives of the people served.
In order to give you an initial orientation about the services available to you, we have carefully assembled this Welcome Packet that includes all the information you need to start accessing our network of care.
People who are in mental distress or witnesses of mental crises can call a hotline and a clinician will respond. Depending on the situation and risk, law enforcement may respond as well. The Mobile Emergency Response Team, or MERT, is run by the County of Santa Cruz and includes licensed clinicians.
South County residents 21 and younger with mental health needs can call a hotline and county-employed bilingual licensed clinicians and a “family support partner” will respond in a van. The team also provides services outside schools, after-school programs and faith-based organizations. More information
Anyone with or witnessing a mental health emergency can call 911 for help, and law enforcement will respond. Callers can request a deputy or officer trained in crisis intervention or “CIT.”