Where to Look for Mental Health Resources in El Dorado County

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: 

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Attention deficit disorders
• Autism
• Behavior problems
• Bipolar disorders
• Development disorders
• Depression
• Disruptive Behavior Disorders
• Eating disorders
• Early Life Stress

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: 

• Bilingual counseling to assist with life’s challenges
• Bilingual advocacy and translations for a variety of issues, including mental wellness, educational success, healthy living, navigating the health care system, job searches, and other resilience-building activities
• Weekly Latino parent groups at each school called Cafecitos
• Parent training classes 
• Children’s groups called Parabajitos (For the Little Ones), summer learning opportunities
• Bookworks, a used book store at Lakeview Plaza, with volunteers

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