According to the 2024 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), 15.2% of adults in California have experienced serious psychological distress. And in adolescents, this percentage went up to 30.2%.[1] What this means is that at any given time, a population larger than the city of Los Angeles deals with some degree of mental health issues in California.
To meet this need, California has an extensive network of mental health treatment services. They include outpatient clinics, intensive day programs, residential facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and crisis response services.
The state’s Medi-Cal insurance program also covers specialty mental health services through county Mental Health Plans (MHP).
On this page, you can learn about:
The mental health care system in California includes services for individuals with different levels of need based on the severity of their symptoms. This is known as the “continuum of care.” It supports your needs from 24-hour psychiatric hospitalization to occasional outpatient therapy as you improve as a result of treatment.
Here’s a breakdown of the five main levels of mental health treatment available in California, from least to most intensive.
Outpatient care is the most common form of mental health services available in California. It includes:
These therapy sessions are scheduled for an hour or two, once a week, while you continue to live in your own home and go to school or work regularly.
California’s Medi-Cal system covers almost all outpatient care. The California Department of Health Care Services has partnered with 57 county Mental Health Plans (MHP) to provide Medi-Cal beneficiaries with specialty mental health services.[2]
The Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) in California is meant to expand outpatient mental health care. As of the latest check, BHCIP includes 128 outpatient facilities with an estimated capacity to serve 281,146 people annually.[3]
People who require a higher level of mental health support while still living at home can enroll in an intensive outpatient program (IOP). It is for those whose treatment needs cannot be met with weekly therapy alone, but who do not require daily treatment or 24-hour supervision.
An IOP requires you to attend multiple therapy sessions in a week that each last at least three hours a day. You can attend them in-person or as a virtual IOP.
IOPs can also be used as a step-down level of care after a person gets discharged from psychiatric hospitalization. BHCIP-funded projects include IOPs for both mental health and for substance use disorders.
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a more intensive form of outpatient mental health treatment in which you attend a structured treatment program for most of the day, but you go home at night.
An average PHP in California runs for about five to six hours a day, five days a week. It is also the form of treatment recommended as step-down care from inpatient hospitalization.
PHPs are a good fit for anyone requiring near-daily clinical support, such as after a suicidal crisis or those recovering from a severe manic episode. They must, however, have a stable and safe home environment to return to each evening.
The Department of Health Care Services in California projects that 1,305 individuals can be served annually within its BHCIP-funded partial hospitalization programs (PHPs).[3]
Residential treatment means living at a treatment facility with 24-hour supervision of nursing and clinical staff. The therapeutic environment, however, is more home-like rather than a hospital ward. People can stay in residential facilities for weeks or months, depending on their needs.
Many mental health treatment providers in California offer mental health residential treatment as well as residential substance-use treatment.
California’s Department of Health Care Services maintains a statewide dataset of certified residential mental health programs. They include:
Inpatient hospitalization is the most intensive level of mental health treatment in California. It happens in a closely monitored psychiatric unit within a hospital and is for people needing round-the-clock medical supervision. It is only offered to patients with active suicidal/homicidal ideation, psychosis, severe mania, or any mental state in which their safety can’t be managed outside a hospital.
There are different types of inpatient psychiatric facilities in California, but Psychiatric Health Facilities (PHFs) are licensed by DHCS and provide 24-hour inpatient care.
According to data from 2024, there are 5,547 inpatient mental health treatment beds and 3,388 residential mental health treatment beds in California.[4] Inpatient hospitalization can be voluntary or involuntary (a “5150” hold, which can be initiated by law enforcement if necessary).
Mental health care in California is offered to people of all ages, incomes, and levels of need. You do not have to have a severe mental illness to seek help.
However, your insurance eligibility determines the services you can access. For instance:
California mental health services cover all forms of mental health issues, such as:
In California, you can get both mental health treatment and behavioral health services.
Mental health services cover a person’s psychiatric well-being and are offered through therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors.
Behavioral health is a broader term. It includes both mental health and substance use disorders.
The state’s Department of Health Care Services offers behavioral health programs that cover both mental health and substance use treatment. The state’s major funding source for community mental health, which was formerly called the “Mental Health Services Act,” was renamed the “Behavioral Health Services Act” in 2024.[5]
AMFM is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
If you are in need of a mental health service in California, make sure that the provider you go to is licensed by the Department of Health Care Services. If they offer residential programs, they must comply with Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
A few other factors to consider when choosing a mental health program in California include whether the program is:
Any licensed California facility is also required to have a formal process for patients to file their complaints. The process should be explained to you upfront.
If a person’s symptoms become so severe that they can no longer manage on their own, they might require mental health crisis resources. California has several crisis resources that provide people with the appropriate level of care.
Anyone in California can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for free, confidential support from a crisis counselor. California also has a network of 13 local 988 crisis centers that provide their services in all 58 counties.[6] It routes 988 calls to one of 13 regional crisis call centers based on your area code. The lifeline offers specialized support for:
Mobile crisis teams are trained mental health clinicians who can be dispatched to meet someone in crisis wherever they are.
Most California counties also operate their own teams that are dispatched 24/7 through the county-specific helplines. Further, the state offers “warm lines” for people who need mental health support but are not in an acute emergency.
Here are some crisis lines you should know about:
Take a tour of our residential mental health facilities located in California. Our locations offer peace & comfort within a residential environment where you can relax and focus on yourself.
Our well-appointed facilities are located in Carlsbad, Dana Point, Fallbrook, Laguna Hills, Laguna Nigel, Lake Forest, and San Juan Capistrano.
Additionally, we offer both in-person and virtual outpatient services in California so you can be supported after leaving residential.
If you’re looking for mental health support in California, AMFM Mental Health Treatment (A Mission for Michael) is here for you. We offer well-appointed, comfortable residential locations for adults dealing with mental health challenges. Our residential locations in California include several homes in Southern California.
The core therapeutic approach to mental health treatment at AMFM Mental Health Treatment is Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R). This approach involves the belief that mental health recovery is achievable for everyone, no matter how complex their challenges may be.
Our team of expert clinicians believes in treatment persistence and will personalize your treatment plan so you can achieve lasting, life-changing outcomes. AMFM Mental Health Treatment accepts insurance and is in-network with many major providers. To check your insurance coverage for mental health care, simply complete our confidential online verification form.
Call us at 866-478-4383 if you would like to start the admissions process or learn more about how we can support your mental well-being. Our compassionate team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide guidance with no obligation.
"*" indicates required fields
100% Confidential
No Commitment
Instant Results
At AMFM, we strive to provide the most up-to-date and accurate medical information based on current best practices, evolving information, and our team’s approach to care. Our aim is that our readers can make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Our reviewers are credentialed medical providers specializing and practicing behavioral healthcare. We follow strict guidelines when fact-checking information and only use credible sources when citing statistics and medical information. Look for the medically reviewed badge on our articles for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate or out of date, please let us know at info@amfmhealthcare.com
