NAMI Santa Cruz County
Help Line: (831) 427-8020
Línea de ayuda en español: (831) 205-7074
Administrative Office: (831) 824-0406
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Mental Health Emergency

Call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room if you can safely get there


Santa Cruz Behavioral Health Crisis Services

SCC Crisis Services
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SCC Servicios de Crisis
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What To Do in A Mental Health Crisis - SCC Behavioral Health Website

Justice System Diversion Information

Summary of Santa Cruz County Mental Health Diversion briefing in September 2021. Notes on how to request a diversion from criminal sentencing for an individual with mental health conditions. Reviewed by County staff for accuracy.
SCC Justice System Diversion
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Psychiatric Health Services are available at:
Crisis Stabilization Unit
2250 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

831-600-2800
​

Exceptions:
  • If you are 65 or older, you can not walk in.  You must go through a hospital emergency room.
  • If you are under 18, you can not walk in.  You must go through a hospital emergency room. 
Please Note: The Crisis Stabilization Unit does not write or refill prescriptions or provide therapy.  They provide assessments to see how best to help.  This could mean a transfer to the Psychiatric Health Facility (located in the same facility) or a referral to an outside provider.

County Mental Health Access Team
Walk-in Crisis Services Available:
Monday - Friday
8 am – 4 pm.
1400 Emeline Avenue, Bldg. K.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 
​(831) 454-4170 or (800) 952-2335 (24-hours a day)
For Watsonville, call (831) 763-8200
Hearing impaired, dial 711

Second Story Respite House
Second Story is a Peer Run Respite house and an alternative to hospitalization.  Ideally one should interview before a crisis.  People can stay for a short time as long as they have a home to return to, are receiving Specialty Mental Health Services through Santa Cruz County and are over 18 years old.
(800) 952-2335

Guidelines for Calling 9-1-1

Guidelines for Calling 9-1-1
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Guia para Illamar 9-1-1
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What to do when your family member has been arrested

What To Do When Your Family Member Has Been Arrested
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Santa Cruz Jail 101 Guide for Friends and Family
CLICK HERE to learn more

LEARN MORE ABOUT: 

Mental Health Liaison

What to do when your loved one has been arrested.

County Adult Mental Health Services

County Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services

County Alcohol and Drug Services

Coastal Turning Point Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospital Program

ASPIRE (Los Gatos)

SUICIDE PREVENTION OF THE CENTRAL COAST

24-Hour Suicide Crisis Line
Toll-free: 1-877-663-5433 (ONE LIFE)
Local: 831-458-5300

CRISIS TEXT LINE

Provides free confidential 24/7 emotional support and information to people in any type of crisis.

Text “HOME" to 741841 or contact on WhatsApp.
​crisistextline.org

988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE

988 allows the public to converse with trained crisis counselors through calling, texting, or chatting. This service can be accessed for yourself or if you are worried about a loved one.

To call or text, use the 988 number. To chat, use this link.

Hospitals with Behavior Health Units

El Camino Hospital (Mountain View)
CHOMP (Monterey)
San Jose Behavior Health
Good Samaritan Hospital (Los Gatos)​
John Muir (Concord) - 
has Pediatric Unit
Fremont Hospital - has Pediatric Unit
Mills Penisula (San Mateo)-has Pediatric Unit

Mobile Emergency Response Team

MERT is a Santa Cruz County Mental
Health Crisis Intervention and
Evaluation Service for residents of
Santa Cruz County regardless of
insurance coverage or lack of
insurance.

MERT is currently available Monday-Friday excluding Holidays (8:30 am –
5:00 pm.)
MERT:
1400 Emeline Building K
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: 800-952-2335

MERT Youth:
1430 Freedom Blvd Suite F
Watsonville, CA 95076
Phone: 800-952-2335

More info about MERT Youth
MERT Brochure
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MERT Youth Brochure
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Family Information Form

Fill out this Family Information Form to provide information to your loved one's mental health providers (therapist, psychiatrist, case manager), law enforcement, and/or hospital staff. Use clear, concise, short, fact-based details. 
Family Information Form
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Informacion historica brindada por un familiar y terceros interesados
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LPS Holds Chart

LPS Holds Chart
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Release of Information Form

HIPPA requirements prevent staff from giving you any information without a Release Form signed by client. This Release of Information form will allow your loved one to authorize hospital staff and mental health providers to speak with you. They may have to sign another one when at the facility.
Release of Confidential Information
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Release of Confidential Information (Spanish)
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Portable Treatment Record

This template will help you to document your or your loved one's medical history, and to create a relapse and crisis plan.
Portable Treatment Record
File Size: 31 kb
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Jail Mental Health Referral Form

CLICK HERE for the online Santa Cruz County Jail Behavioral Health Staff Referral Form 
CIT Family Friend Referral
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CIT Family Friend Referral
File Size: 47 kb
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Grievance Form

Grievance Resolution Form
File Size: 340 kb
File Type: pdf
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The Quality Improvement department really appreciates receiving feedback.  Please let them know how they are doing.  Write a letter, fill out their form, email or call.
  • Drop off a form or letter at the reception counter in the North or South County Mental Health Clinics or other site where you receive services.
  • Mail to the Grievance Coordinator, Mental Health Plan, 1400 Emeline Avenue, Santa Cruz CA 95060. 
  • Call: 1-800-952-2335

Guidelines for Calling 9-1-1

Plan Ahead
  • Be prepared: Become familiar with the guidelines on this page.
  • Know to Ask for a Crisis Intervention Trained Officer (CIT): When you call 9-1-1, ask to have a CIT Officer dispatched if available as these officers are specially trained to respond to mental health emergencies.
  • Fill out the Information From Family Member form: Complete the Family Form (below) ahead of time. Send one copy to their mental health provider and keep extra copies on hand to give to hospital personnel if a mental health emergency occurs. The Information from Family Member form provides hospital personnel and mental health providers with important detailed information on your family member or friend’s mental health history. 
  • Be prepared for a 5150 Hold: If your family member or friend is a danger to themselves or to others or is gravely disabled and unable to care for themselves, it may be necessary to place them on an involuntary hospital hold of up to 72 hours for additional help and evaluation.
  • If you are able to safely drive your loved one before or during an emergency, go to the Crisis Stabilization Center (2250 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz; 831-600-2800) or call the Access Team (800) 952-2335.
  • Interview with Second Story - 831-466-0967;  Second Story is a Peer Run Respite house and an alternative to hospitalization.  Ideally one should interview before a crisis.  People can stay for a short time as long as they have a home to return to, are currently receiving Specialty Mental Health Services through Santa Cruz County and are over 18.
Before Calling 911
  • Know your rights: If the individual is putting you or themselves in danger, police need to step in and help. You have the right to ask for help and your loved one has a right to receive help.
  • Try to remain calm: Take a few deep breaths so you can speak as slowly and calmly as possible.
  • Remove harmful items: If possible, remove any items from the immediate area that could be used as a weapon, such as fire arms, knives, tools, or baseball bats.
During the Call
  • Try to make the call from a safe and quiet place where your family member or friend will not feel threatened by overhearing you.
  • Tell police you are calling about a mental health emergency and request a CIT officer.
  • Describe the situation in detail, such as whether your loved one is suicidal, aggressive, off their medication, or threatening someone.
  • Listen carefully and answer the dispatcher’s questions so they have the information to help.
  • Stay on the phone – emergency help is being dispatched. Do not hang up until you are asked to do so by the dispatcher.
What to say when calling 9-1-1
  • I’m calling about a Mental Health Emergency and request a CIT Officer.
  • My name is:______________________.
  • I’m calling from [your location].
  • I’m calling because my [family member/friend] is: ___________________.
  • Describe in detail what is going on right now.
  • Advise police if there is information on file with law enforcement about the person in crisis.
  • Ask if it’s possible to arrive without lights or sirens.
The 9-1-1 dispatcher will ask about the following: (be clear and brief)
  • Are there any acts or threats of violence?
  • Are there any weapons involved?
  • Where is the person experiencing the emergency located?
  • Has there been a suicide attempt or has the person made threats of suicide?
Once the dispatcher has this information, share the following about your loved one:
  • The person’s mental health condition/diagnosis and mental healthcare provider
  • Whether the person is intoxicated or overdosed
  • Any medications the person is taking
  • Whether the person is gravely disabled and unable to care for themselves
When the officer arrives
  • Tell them what you’ve seen and heard—stick to the facts.
  • Explain what is happening now.
  • Let them know what has and has not worked in the past.
  • If the person in crisis is being transported, find out where.
  • Ask the police officer for their contact information for follow up.

Santa Cruz Mental Health Pocket Guide

The pocket guide is a brochure of local resources for community members who may be experiencing mental health crises or challenges.
info@namiscc.org  • Help Line (831) 427-8020 • Office Line (831) 824-0406 • NAMI SCC, 542 Ocean St, Suite F, Santa Cruz , CA 95060
  • NAMI Santa Cruz County Facebook
  • NAMI Santa Cruz Instagram
  • Mental Health Client Action Network (MHCAN)
  • Santa Cruz County Health
  • NAMI California website
  • NAMI National website
NAMI Santa Cruz County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Donations are tax-deductible
Federal Tax ID # 77-0002878
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The information available on and through the namiscc.org website is presented in summary form as a supplement to, and NOT a substitute for, the knowledge, skill, and judgment of qualified psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians and health care professionals. The information on NAMISCC.org has been obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, NAMI makes no warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of this information. We have NOT vetted the Providers.  

Information accessed on and through NAMISCC.org is provided "AS IS" and without warranty, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose.