Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
--  Frequently Asked Questions  --

Mental Health Services

• I need help (either for myself or someone else). Who can help me? How can I obtain mental health services from the county?

• Is the staff, including the doctors and clinicians, bilingual/Spanish speaking?

• My child has been referred to mental health services by the school they are attending, will I have to pay for these services or does the school cover these costs?

• Who can obtain mental health services?

• How quickly could I obtain services?

• When I phone the clinic, what will they ask me?

• How soon can I get an appointment?

• How can I get help for my troubled family member, friend, etc. whom I believe needs help?

• Are your services confidential?

• Can I get marriage and family counseling?

• Does County Mental Health provide court required family therapy?

• Does County Mental Health provide services to state parolees?

• Does County Mental Health provide services to probationers?

• Does County Mental Health provide drug and alcohol services?

• Do you make house calls?

• My boyfriend, lover, girlfriend, son, mother etc. needs psychiatric care but will not seek help. What can I do?

• There is a street person bothering my patrons (in my front yard, wandering in traffic, etc.). Can you come and get him?

Substance Abuse Services

• Where do I get help for a substance abuse problem?

• How do I talk to my children about alcohol and drugs?

• What are the signs and symptoms of use and abuse of various types of drugs?

• Who do I talk to if I have a complaint about an alcohol and drug program?

• Who do I talk to if I have questions about a court-ordered alcohol and drug program (Drinking Drive Program or drug Deferred Judgment Program)?

I need help (either for self or someone else). Who can help me? How can I obtain mental health services from the county?

Call 1-800-952-2335 and the Access Team will evaluate all requests for non-emergency basis. If there is a crisis call Dominican Behavior Health Unit at 462-7644.

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Is the staff, including the doctors and clinicians, bilingual/Spanish speaking?

Yes. There are Spanish speaking doctors and staff available.

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My child has been referred to mental health services by the school they are attending, will I have to pay for these services or does the school cover these costs?

Unless your child has an IEP and is qualified for 3632 services, you would be responsible for the payment for mental health services. If it is an on-site counselor that is part of the school program, i.e. Kidscorner, etc. than there is usually no charge. You would have to check out the particulars with the individual school.

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Who can obtain mental health services?

Anyone who is in crisis, or has a serious mental illness and who has limited or no insurance for mental health needs. 

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How quickly could I obtain services?

Crisis services are available on an immediate basis depending on the level of care required.

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When I phone the clinic, what will they ask me?

The licensed trained counselor who responds to your call will ask you questions to determine if you are in crisis, your current symptoms and functioning and any history of mental health treatment you may have. Also, you will be asked about any medications you are using and your drug and alcohol, history (if any). Together, the answers to these questions help us to decide if you meet our criteria of medical necessity how quickly we must respond to the request for service. We must prioritized requests in order to utilize our limited resources in the most efficient manner.

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How soon can I get an appointment?

If it is determined to be urgent, you will be offered an appointment with a licensed therapist for an assessment the same day. If it is not urgent, you will usually be scheduled within 5 working days. If you have insurance, you will be referred back to your private provider.

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How can I get help for my troubled family member, friend, etc. whom I believe needs help?

This is not unusual. Many people are afraid of the stigma of being seen as or told they are mentally ill. You are encouraged to call the clinic and speak to a trained counselor who can advise you about your options, and the best approach to this problem. Call the Access Team at 800 952 2335. The team is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and 24 hours for urgent care. The team will provide assessments and referrals to mental health.

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Are your services confidential?

Absolutely. We cannot release information about any contacts you have had with us without your written consent.

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Can I get marriage and family counseling?

These clinics serve the severely and chronically mentally ill. Please call for a referral to a community resource that will meet your needs. However family counseling as it relates to the needs of children served by Children's Mental Health is provided.

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Does County Mental Health provide court required family therapy?

Only if the individual is acute or persistently mentally ill or children, youth and their family ordered by the Juvenille Court that qualify for System of Care Services.

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Does County Mental Health provide services to state parolees?

State parolees will be referred to their parole officers who will coordinate their mental health services.

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Does County Mental Health provide services to probationers?

Yes, if they are acute or persistently mentally ill.

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Does County Mental Health provide drug and alcohol services?

No, we make referrals to various programs depending on your place of residence. Click here to learn about the Substance Abuse program.

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How can I get help for my troubled family member, friend, etc. whom I believe needs help?

Call the Access Team at 800 952 2335. The team is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and 24 hours for urgent care. The team will provide assessments and referrals to mental health.

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Do you make house calls?

In general, appointments are scheduled to take place within the clinic. However, our Senior Team sees all at risk Seniors in the community. Also, our Homeless Team will meet homeless persons wherever they are. Children's Mental Health will also provide services in the community (home, school, etc.)

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There is a street person bothering my patrons (in my front yard, wandering in traffic, etc.). Can you come and get him or her?

If your safety is threatened, call 911. Call the Homeless Persons Health project at 454-2080 between the hours of 8-5pm Monday through Friday.

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My boyfriend, lover, girlfriend, son, mother etc. needs psychiatric care but will not seek help. What can I do?

Explain that admission at SDCPH is voluntary unless law officers are involved. Possibly refer to Counselors in Mental Health at 565-3500.

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Refer to the Substance Abuse Services for detailed information about the Alcohol and Drug Programs or refer to the Resource Referral Directory.

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How do I talk to my children about alcohol and drugs?

See Links to these web sites.

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What are the signs and symptoms of use and abuse of various types of drugs?

See Links to these web sites.

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Who do I talk to if I have a complaint about an Alcohol and Drug program?

Contact ADP complaint desk at the State and (831) 454-4050

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Who do I talk to if I have questions about a court-ordered alcohol and drug program (Drinking Drive Program or drug Deferred Judgment Program)?

See these links to answer questions regarding these programs.

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