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Get help from these organizations, telephone hotlines and online resources.
A jigsaw puzzle of resources can help El Dorado County residents find mental health. SewCream Shutterstock
Even prior to COVID-19, mental health in California was declining. Combined with two years of pandemic living, mental health experts throughout the Golden State are seeing an increase in mental health-related emergency room visits, child behavior issues in schools, and a dramatic influx of requests for help and assistance with depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, the entire state is struggling to keep up. Michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the California Behavioral Health Directors Association, recently told CalMatters, “There’s no way you can squeeze blood from a turnip,” she said. “We’re at our limit in terms of what we can do. We need more resources to do more.”
El Dorado County is no exception to the mental health crisis, but it does fare better than most. A recent study from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System showed El Dorado County has a mental health value of 12.5%, which puts it at the best 50% of California counties. Likely due to a combination of active lifestyle and accessible mental health resources, residents of El Dorado County have options if they are struggling with their mental health.
The below resources are a great first step for anyone in the region struggling. Don’t be afraid to speak up—help is out there.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a chapter located in El Dorado that provides a variety of free and low-cost mental health options in the form of both in-house groups and outside referrals. Since a large percentage of NAMI services are run by those who have overcome their own mental health challenges, it is a place of compassion and understanding where many find the hope and comfort they need.
NAMI Family Support Group—This peer-run support group is open to any adult with a loved one struggling with mental illness. There are two locations—Placerville and South Lake Tahoe—as well as a Zoom option.
NAMI Family Support Group—Peer support groups for those personally struggling with mental illness are coming soon. Get updated information about these, as well as links to many external resources, by visiting the NAMI El Dorado County website.
Barton Psychiatry & Mental Health provides mental health support and resources to both children and adults in the Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley areas. With board-certified psychologists on staff, Barton Health specializes in a variety of issues including the following:
Offices are located in South Lake Tahoe, and all information can be found on the Barton Health website.
With the goal of transforming lives and improving futures, El Dorado County has a strong behavioral health department. With locations in Diamond Springs, Lake Tahoe, and El Dorado Hills, the department focus on both crisis and long-term solutions. The behavioral health department can be contacted via phone, email, and via the website.
Psychiatric Emergency Response Team—The Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) is a mobile crisis unit that is dispatched when a mental-health-related inquiry comes in. PERT is a partnership between El Dorado County Behavioral Health and El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office on the county’s West Slope. Together they provide emergency assessments and interventions to prevent harm. PERT can be reached through both 911 calls and the West Slope's non-emergency lines. PERT provides emergency assessment, intervention and referral to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. PERT services are intended to reduce unnecessary incarceration or hospitalization. Call (530) 621-5655.
Psychiatric Health Facility—The Telecare El Dorado County Psychiatric Health Facility is a 24-hour intensive inpatient psychiatric treatment program for adults in mental health crisis. It is a safe and secure facility where individuals are stabilized through treatment, therapy, and medication. The Psychiatric Health Facility is located in Placerville and can be reached at (530) 621-6210.
Mental Health First Aid—Adults interested in helping the mental health community can participate in one of two programs focused on mental health problems and treatment options for youth or adults. Participants will learn risk factors, understanding of their impact, and an overview of treatment options. The programs can be reached via email or at (530) 621-6130.
The South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center is a school-based nonprofit focused on the health and wellbeing of youth and their families. Programming includes the following:
Tahoe Youth & Family Services offers treatment and counseling services to young people. Services include girl empowerment groups, a relationship group, a juvenile treatment center and a host home program. The organization is also home to the Primary Intervention Program. Designed to supplement the educational experience and personal development of young school children, kindergarten through third grade, the organization detects behavioral and learning disabilities and provides services.
PFLAG El Dorado County was founded in 1997 as a division of the national organziation Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. The group’s mission is to promote the health and wellbeing of the local LGBTQ+ community through outreach, counseling groups, education and advocacy. Meetings are open to the public, and the organization also works to bring acceptance and safety to students in their schools.
The Trevor Project is a national organanization that was recently recognized by the El Dorado County Community Resource Guide as an ideal resource for young LGBTQ+ residents. It provides a 24/7 counseling resource for youth via phone, text, and online chat.
Residents of El Dorado County have a multitude of phone numbers to call in times of crisis. Here is a list of what is specifically available.
NAMI Warmline—(530) 306-4101 (English); (530) 344-4876 (Spanish)
El Dorado County 24-Hour Crisis Hotline—(530) 544-2219 (South Lake Tahoe); (530) 622-3345 (Placerville)
Tahoe Youth and Family Services 24-Hour Line—(800) 870-8937
Suicide Prevention Network—(775) 783-1510
Family Urgent Response System—(833) 939-3877
Stanford Sierra Youth & Families—(916) 344-0199
AlAnon and Alateen—(888) 425-2666
El Dorado County Mental Health Placerville Detox & Drug Rehab Center—(530) 621-6357
Alcoholics Anonymous El Dorado Hills Group—(916) 454-1100
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration—(800) 662-4357
A Balanced Life—(530) 544-1748
Snowline Hospice—(530) 621-7820
Friends for Survival—(916) 392-0664
Marshall Medical Bereavement Support—(530) 621-7820
Loss Support Group—(916) 286-3691
As of July 2022, people who are experiencing a mental health crisis and are in need of immediate help can call 988, the new three-digit dialing code, to access the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Advocates pushed for new three-digit number as an alternative to calling 911, which can result in police intervention rather than medical care. The number should be easier to remember for people in crisis. Read more about both 988 and 911 in the story below.
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