Behavioral Health

About Behavioral Health

An estimated 7.5 million people in California experience a mental health disorder in any given year, but only one-third of adults who experience mental illness are getting treatment. The caregivers at hospitals know the obstacles people with behavioral health conditions face and the challenges in getting them the treatment they need.

While hospitals embrace the essential role they play in addressing this crisis, more needs to be done. Investments are needed to tackle a crisis made even worse by COVID-19. California must prioritize behavioral health investments in prevention, early assessment, identification of needs, and aggressive treatment for all, regardless of health coverage or ZIP code.

In addition, solutions like payment reform, resource allocation, more outpatient and community-based services, a bolstered behavioral health workforce, and a statewide set of standardized core services will help Californians with behavioral health conditions access the care they deserve.


This point-in-time analysis was conducted in 2017-2018 to gain a deeper understanding of the behavioral health challenges faced by San Diego patients. Issues examined included pre-acute, acute, and post-acute services and the impact of social determinants of health on access and outcomes. Ultimately, the findings are intended to support further research efforts and to promote collaboration between San Diego County Behavioral Health Services and other community organizations providing behavioral health services in San Diego.

HASDIC 2018 Behavioral Health Analysis

San Diego County Survey | San Diego APOT Collaboration | HASD&IC Crisis Stabilization Units | San Diego County Guide and Matrix | MAT Access Points Project

HELP THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO SET BUDGET PRIORITIES: San Diego County is seeking broad, diverse input on its priorities through a short survey to inform the county’s upcoming 2024-26 budget and operational planning process. Key stakeholders are invited to complete the survey on the Engage San Diego County website by March 17.   For more […]

5 Things To Know: Study Finds CA Bridge Program is Highly Effective, Funding to Continue; San Diego TB Prevention Education and Community Engagement Summit; San Diego Workforce Partnerships Substance Use Counselor Program; DHCS Publishes Quality Ratings for Managed Care Plans and County Behavioral Health Plans; Medicare Coverage for Behavioral Health Expanded

STUDY FINDS CA BRIDGE PROGRAM IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE, FUNDING TO CONTINUE: JAMA Network recently published a study highlighting the impact of the CA Bridge Program on opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment in emergency departments (EDs). The study found that 86% of OUD patients received buprenorphine in participating hospitals, with 50% continuing treatment 30 days after […]

5 Things To Know: San Diego City Council Declares Behavioral Health Bed Crisis, County of San Diego Emergency Medical Services, San Diego County Releases Draft APOT Policy, CDPH Releases New AFL on Covid-19 Vaccinations,CHA Releases FAQs on Implementing AB 1882 Requirements

SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL DECLARES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BED CRISIS: On Dec. 5, the San Diego City Council declared a behavioral health crisis due to the lack of available behavioral health beds in the city. A recent survey of hospital members found that on any given day in the HASD&IC region, about 50 patients who are […]

5 Things To Know: Engaging And Supporting Refugee Communities – Free Training For Health Providers, Medi-Cal MCP Transition, Engage San Diego County Website, CHA Behavioral Health Care Symposium, ACEs And Toxic Stress Awareness Web Page

ENGAGING AND SUPPORTING REFUGEE COMMUNITIES – FREE TRAINING FOR HEALTH PROVIDERS: On Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon (PT), the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition will lead cultural competency training — Engaging and Supporting Refugee Communities — for health care providers. It will include a comprehensive overview of the refugee resettlement process, shedding light […]

5 Things To Know: Flu Season Mandates, CDPH Leadership Updates, Behavioral Health Workforce Solutions, CalAIM Transitional Rent, Monkeypox Cases

FLU SEASON MANDATES: The San Diego Health and Human Services Agency has issued a health officer order reminding health care personnel of the influenza vaccination or masking requirement during flu season, beginning Nov. 1.    CDPH LEADERSHIP UPDATES AND DISTRICT SESSIONS: On Nov. 7 from 9 to 11 a.m. (PT), CHA will host its annual meeting […]

5 Things To Know: EMS Mobile App, Discharge Delays Survey, Respiratory Virus Surges, Equity Of Care Award, CHA Seismic Webinar Recording:

EMS MOBILE APP: The San Diego County EMS Office has released a new EMS Mobile App, available to the community at emsmobile.sandiegocounty.gov. It allows users to easily search through all protocols and policies using keywords. In addition, users can bookmark specific protocols and policies to quickly access them at any time. The EMS Mobile App also […]

5 Things To Know: Human Trafficking, Assisted Living Waiver Renewal,Cybersecurity Symposium, Nurse Staffing Ratios, Check Your Mood

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: County of San Diego emergency medical services medical director is sharing a recent talk from Deputy District Attorney Flavio Nominati titled “Effects of COVID and Title 42 on the Management of Human Trafficking.” Additional lectures from the county’s monthly Evidence-Based Medicine lecture series are available online. Please forward to others who may have […]

5 Things To Know: Homelessness Solutions, San Diego Restructuring, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Sahma’s Strategic Plan, Fake Pharmacy Callers

HOMELESSNESS SOLUTIONS AND PREVENTION ACTION PLAN: The County of San Diego is seeking public input by Sept. 15 on the draft Homelessness Solutions and Prevention Action Plan, which is intended to advance the county’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness. The draft Action Plan outlines the county’s strategies to impact homelessness regionally. Relevant feedback on […]