The following is adapted from: focus.senate.ca.gov/mentalhealth

County Mental Health Departments

If you, or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you may want to speak to a physician first since sometimes symptoms are related to a medical illness or to medications that are being taken.  A physician can help determine how best to address individual issues and provide referrals to mental health specialists if appropriate.  Individuals with health insurance can also call the toll-free numbers on the back of their insurance cards to learn how to access mental health services through insurance coverage.

Don’t hesitate to seek help.  If a physician is not available, please know that crisis intervention services are available and can help you access local mental health programs.

The state’s Department of Consumer Affairs licenses many types of mental health care professionals, including physicians, psychologists, therapists and social workers. The Department’s online BreEZe program allows consumers to verify that a mental health professional’s license is in good standing, as well as review any possible disciplinary actions that a professional may have had filed against him or her in the past.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Riverside County Department of Mental Health

4095 County Circle Drive

P.O. Box 7549

Riverside, CA 92513

951-358-4500

ruhealth.org

HELPLine - 24 Hour Crisis/Suicide Intervention
951-686-HELP (4357)
Local Resources
Up2Riverside.org

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

San Bernardino County Office of Behavioral Health

268 West Hospitality Lane, Suite 400

San Bernardino, CA 92415-0026

909-382-3088

wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/

Community Crisis Services

Call 800-393-0018 or text 909-420-0560

Education and Awareness Programs

Access to education, prevention, and early intervention programs and supports are available in our local communities through community-based organizations and County Mental Health Departments.  Below you will find information to access these services and supports, as well as information on knowing the signs of someone who may require assistance.

The following websites offer educational information regarding mental health conditions, treatment, and directories for local resources:

• California Mental Health Resources for Youth & More www.cchs.ca.gov/youthresources

• Know the Signs www.suicideispreventable.org

• National Alliance on Mental Illness of California  www.NAMICalifornia.org

Are there Signs if a Person is in Mental Health Distress?

Often there are warning signs of someone in crisis or experiencing a high level of distress. When possible, it is important to identify friends, family, and others who are severely distressed, suicidal (at risk of hurting oneself), or homicidal (at risk of hurting others) and refer him or her to a mental health or medical provider for assistance.  There are many warning signs of psychological distress, and individuals may be at any point on a distress continuum that ranges from early warning stressors to suicidal or homicidal plans.  Multiple warning signs and/or extreme behaviors suggest an immediate crisis and may require emergency intervention. 

Warning Signs of Suicide or Imminent Danger to Self

• Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness

• Insomnia or excessive sleeping

• Significant appetite loss or gain

• Decreased interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities

• Repeated themes of death in conversations or coursework

• Significant loss (death of loved one, relationship break up, loss of status or prestige or physical impairment)

• Excessive alcohol or other drug abuse

• Previous suicide attempt

• Articulates a wish to die

• Articulates a plan for suicide (with what means, when, where)

• Access to means for suicide (pills, knife/razor, weapon)

Signs of Imminent Psychotic or Homicidal Behaviors

• Marked inability to communicate clearly (abnormally garbled speech)

• Loss of reality (seeing or hearing things that are not present)

• Beliefs at great odds with or no base in reality

• Highly disruptive behaviors (hostile, aggressive, violent)

• Fascination with death or violence

• Suicidal thoughts or plans and/or means for suicide 

• Threats or acts of violence or plan and/or means to harm self or others

General Signs of Distress

• Disheveled appearance or poor hygiene

• Dramatic or sudden weight loss or gain

• Insomnia or excessive sleeping

• Fatigue, lack of energy or motivation

• Sadness or tearfulness

• Irritability, agitation, or mood swings

• Difficulty concentrating

• Highly distracted or confused

• Impaired speech (incoherent, slurred, rapid, improper use of words)

• Disjointed thoughts

• Withdrawn or isolating behavior

• Bizarre behavior

• Inappropriate expression of anger

• Exaggerated or dramatic behaviors

• Apparent substance abuse (alcohol, cannabis, slurred speech, bloodshot eyes)

• Increase in risk-taking behavior

• Talk of harm to self or others

• Inability to function

How do I Make a Referral or Encourage the Person to Seek Help?
If you have concerns about how to approach someone about seeking help, the following guidelines may be helpful:

• Be mindful of your role and appropriate boundaries when helping a person

• Ask to speak with the individual privately in a non-threatening environment

• Express care and concern about them and describe what you are observing in a non-judgmental manner

• Focus on the specific behaviors that you are observing; don’t try and diagnose or make interpretations

• Encourage the person’s cooperation in seeking and receiving help; don’t demand or use force

• Make suggestions for appropriate resources such as support groups or counseling

• Offer to assist with contacting the resource but encourage the person to make the call

• When necessary, someone may accompany the person to a helper or provider

• When escorting someone to receive services, it is important to provide clear and specific information about the situation to the helper or provider

If emergency care is needed, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours, call 988

Suicide Prevention and Resources

Access to suicide prevention services and support is available in our local communities as well as through a national suicide prevention lifeline.  You are not alone in helping someone in crisis.  There are many resources available to assess, treat and intervene.

SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE
This website provides ways to recognize the signs that someone may be suicidal, find the words to speak to them, and the resources available to assess, treat, and intervene.

Visit the Suicide is Preventable website.

988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers services to talk to a skilled counselor. If you are feeling distressed and need to talk to a counselor, please call 988
PARA ESPAÑOL OPRIMA EL 2

If you prefer to chat with a counselor online, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers that service. Click here to chat online with a trained counselor.

Visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website.

CA YOUTH CRISIS LINE
A 24/7 statewide emergency response system for youth (Ages 12-24) and families in crisis. Call or text 800-843-5200

Visit the CA Youth Crisis Line website. 

VETERANS CRISIS LINE
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential, toll-free hotline and online chat.

Veterans and their families and friends can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Visit the Veterans Crisis Line website.

THE TREVOR LIFELINE
National organization providing crisis and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ Youth. Call 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)

LOCAL CRISIS RESOURCES

RIVERSIDE COUNTY:
CRISIS INTERVENTION NUMBER
Riverside (951) 686-HELP (4357)

24/7 MENTAL HEALTH URGENT CARE
Provide 24/7 urgent care mental health screening and assessment services and medications to address the needs of those in crisis in a safe, efficient, trauma-informed, and least-restrictive setting. No appointment is necessary. Call or walk in.
Riverside
9990 County Farm Rd.
Riverside, CA 92503
951-509-2499

Palm Springs
2500 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A1-A4
Palm Springs, 92262
760-424-5602

Perris

85 Ramona Expressway, Suites 1-3
Perris, CA 92571
951-349-4195

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CRISIS INTERVENTION NUMBER
San Bernardino Call 800-393-0018 or text 909-420-0560

24/7 MENTAL HEALTH URGENT CARE
No appointment is necessary. Call or walk in.
Crisis Walk-In Centers
Yucca Valley
7293 Dumosa Ave., Suite 2
Yucca Valley, CA
760-365-2233

Victorville

12240 Hesperia Rd., Suite A
Victorville, CA
760-245-8837

Crisis Stabilization Units
Merrill Center

14677 Merrill Ave.,
Fontana
(951) 643-2340

Windsor Center
1481 N. Windsor Dr.,
San Bernardino
(909) 361-6470