If you are interested in receiving mental health services you must first contact the Access Team

The Access Team evaluates all requests for non-emergency services for anyone not currently receiving services from County Mental Health or community providers who are part of the mental health system. This team is comprised of bilingual senior mental health clinicians and psychiatrists who provide assessments and referrals to mental health services and who are trained to answer your questions. They will help you determine if you are eligible for our services.

• "How do I contact the Access Team to get mental health services?"
  Call (800) 952-2335 24 hours a day. Urgent care can also be requested 24 hours per day by calling the same number.
  
  
• "How do I qualify to get mental health services?"
  Based upon the results of an assessment, the team's care managers will link individuals and their families to the most appropriate services available.

  Those individuals meeting the System of Care criteria (i.e., having a serious and persistent mental illness) are referred to one of several coordinated care treatment teams based in Santa Cruz or Watsonville.

• "Where do I go if I am having a crisis?"
  If you, or someone you know, is at risk of harm to themselves or others and needs immediate help you should always call 911. 

If you are having a crisis but not in imminent danger you should call the Access Team at (800) 952-2335.

• "What do I do if I have Medi-Cal?"
  Santa Cruz County Medi-Cal beneficiaries who need mental health services may be referred to a therapist in the community. Medication services by a psychiatrist are also available. Please call the Access Team for authorization prior to commencing therapy. The Access Team monitors the individual's treatment progress and authorizes necessary services.
  
  Individuals who are in need of urgent care, but do not require team based coordinated care or are not Medi-Cal beneficiaries, may be seen for brief treatment by the Access Team staff. Typically these services are only provided when an individual is experiencing serious problems and without intervention would likely be hospitalized.
  

• "What do I do if I don't have Medi-Cal?"
  Visit our Health Benefits page to find out about other financial benefit programs you might be eligible for.

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