Access to Services

There is "No Wrong Door" to accessing mental health services. There are many ways to find the type of service that you need. If you have a private health plan that covers mental health services, contact your health plan administrator. If you have Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, or no insurance, a good first step would be to call:

Access and Crisis Line: 800-479-3339
TTY for Hearing Impaired: 619-641-6992

Professional counselors will answer your call, help you through a crisis, or provide referrals for services. Spanish-speaking counselors and assistance in other languages (through Language Line Services) are available at no cost.

Services offered by the County of San Diego are sometimes offered by county staff and sometimes by contracted provider agencies. These providers usually accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, and sometimes other insurance. A sliding scale is available for those with no insurance. For information about these "organizational" providers for yourself or a family member, click here. The handbooks listed at this link give a broad picture of the mental health and support services available in the county, as well as the rights and responsibilities of a consumer, in an easy-to-read format.

There also is a network of more than 700 Fee-For-Service therapists who provide mental health services for Medi-Cal-eligible people who are not in HMOs. The Access and Crisis Line can help you learn about these providers in your area. It also can send a paper copy of a list of providers to you.

To get a paper copy of the list of organizational providers in your area, their addresses and cultural and linguistic specialties, call the County Mental Health Quality Improvement Unit at 619-563-2776.