If your child is having a mental health emergency (danger to self or danger to others) it is critical to get help immediately.

• Call 911
• Call your local police
• Go to the closest hospital's emergency room
• Call the Emergency Screening Unit (ESU) at (619) 421-6900
• Go to the Emergency Screening Unit (ESU) at 730 Medical Ct. in Chula Vista
• Call the Access and Crisis Line at (800) 479-3339

For non-emergency mental health services, please select your insurance type:

• Public
• Private Insurance

Public Insurance
The County's public mental health system is for those who qualify for Medi-Cal or have no financial resources. Fees vary among professionals and clinics. Some may have a partial pay or sliding scale based on your ability to pay.

Your child's primary care doctor may be able to provide you with some basic mental health care (including prescribing medications). The primary care doctor may also recommend you call the County's mental health line:

• Access and Crisis Line is a toll-free, 24-hour line for information and referral to a contracted mental health professional. The Access and Crisis Line will provide you with three referrals for you to call and set up an appointment. If an appointment is not available, call the line back and request additional referrals or assistance.
  Access and Crisis Line hours are 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. (800) 479-3339

You can also find out more information about mental health services for your child by contacting:

• Building Bridges is an information and referral line for children's mental health resources. Building Bridges can provide information on a variety of topics such as crisis information, counseling, IEP help, and after-school programs.
  Building Bridges hours are 8:30am - 6:00pm M-F. (888) 843-5800 OR (619) 477-0242

www.buildingbridges2gether.org


• Early and Periodic Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) is a partnership to provide behavioral health services for Medi-Cal or Medi-Cal eligible youth between the ages of 8-18 years. Service treatment plans may include case-management, individual/group/family counseling, crisis counseling, medication, evaluations, and/or information and referral services. EPSDT services may be accessed through a local clinic, school, or in the home.
  EPSDT hours are 9:00am - 5pm M-F. (619) 258-6877



• East County Behavioral Health Clinic uses a family-based therapy approach to assist youth with behavioral, emotional or psychological problems. The two main components are the Community Assessment Team (CAT) for youth at-risk for delinquency and School-Linked Counseling for Lakeside Union, Santee, and Grossmont Union School Districts.
  East County Behavioral Health Clinic hours are 8:00am - 6pm M-F. (619) 258-6877

Private Insurance
Call your health plan or primary care doctor to find out the mental health services your specific insurance provides.