Mental Health Resources

As Rev. Sharon says, just as we all have times of physical health and physical illness, we all also have times of mental health and mental illness. There is nothing shameful about mental illness. You can listen to Rev. Sharon’s sermons on mental health topics on our Mental Health and Illness playlist on Chalice’s YouTube channel.

The Unitarian Universalist Mental Health Network has compiled resources representing different ways of approaching mental health because they know that different people will cope and/or heal in different ways. The resources include personal stories, books and websites which may be helpful.

These links take you to the website of the Unitarian Universalist Mental Health Network.

Crisis Resources

If you are having suicidal thoughts, or just need someone to talk with:

  • Call 988, suicide and crisis lifeline
  • Crisis Text Line
    Text HOME to 741741
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    1-800-273-8255
  • Trans Lifeline
    1-877-565-8860 (for the transgender community)
  • TrevorLifeline
    1-866-488-7386 (for LGBTQ youth)
  • Veterans Crisis Line
    1-800-273-8255, Press 1

San Diego County Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) San Diego

  • Friends Resource Line – Contact the Helpline for any general information about support groups, to register for classes, find resources or to speak to a friendly person who understands.
    • Mon – Fri, 9:00am – 5:00pm
    • 1-800-523-5933
  • Warmline – Non-crisis peer support
    • 3:30pm – 11:00pm​ every day
    • 1-800-930-9276

Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT)
Call 988 or 888-724-7240

Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) provide in-person support to people of all ages who are having a mental health, drug, or alcohol-related crisis.  

Call the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) to help you or a loved one if there is a mental health or substance use crisis. They can come to you anywhere in San Diego County and are able to help:

  • Stabilize people 
  • Connect people to local care and support
  • Prevent trips to the hospital or jail 

MCRTs are made up of three staff: a mental health clinician, a case manager, and a peer support specialist. Teams do not include law enforcement staff. When they arrive, MCRT will assess and de-escalate the situation. They can also drive you to services you need.

The MCRT cannot help if there are threats of violence or medical emergencies. For more information on the MCRT program and how to access services, visit the MCRT webpage.

Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams (PERT) Call 911

Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams (PERT) provide in-person crisis resolution and proactive outreach to people experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

PERT is different from MCRT as teams include a licensed mental health clinician paired with specially trained law enforcement officers.

Teams are dispatched through 911 calls from the community or other law enforcement agencies in the field. PERT will check the situation, assess the individual’s mental health condition, and may:

  • Transport the individual to a hospital or other treatment center, or
  • Refer them to a community-based resource or treatment facility.

Crisis Stabilization Units

Crisis Stabilization Units (CSU) provide immediate mental health support and treatment services in a calming setting to individuals with serious behavioral health needs. Available for short-term stays, generally up to 24 hours, CSUs can help prevent or treat a behavioral health crisis and can assist clients in getting connected to ongoing care.

  • There are currently five CSUs for adults and one for children and adolescents. Visit the County of San Diego CSU webpage for more information.  

San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital

Walk-in emergency mental health services are available for adults and older adults who are experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis at the Emergency Psychiatric Unit located at:

San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital
3853 Rosecrans Street
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 619-692-8200