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Find help from these websites, telephone hotlines and organizations
Find mental clarity with the help of these government agencies and nonprofit groups. Melitas Shutterstock.com
In December of 2021, The New York Times worked with Psychology Today to survey 1,320 mental health professionals about how their patients were coping as pandemic restrictions eased. Not surprisingly, the Times reported, “social workers, psychologists and counselors from every state say they can’t keep up with an unrelenting demand for their services, and many must turn away patients—including children—who are desperate for support.”
And for many residents of Sacramento, taking that first step to get help can be just as hard as finding the right mental health provider. Especially since the pandemic, therapists are overbooked and their services can be far from cheap. As residents of Sacramento come from many different backgrounds, and just like physical health care, mental health care is rarely “one size fits all.” But help is out there, and the resources below offer some starting points to those in need of services themselves or those looking to help a loved one.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a chapter in Sacramento. Outside of mobile crisis support, NAMI runs a number of ongoing support groups that are either free or extremely low-cost to attend. One of the most powerful aspects of NAMI is that many of its offerings are run by individuals who have overcome mental health and addiction challenges—they truly come from a place of understanding and life experience.
Besides serving up a wealth of information and referrals for other mental wellness programs in the region, NAMI Sacramento runs these support groups:
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group—A weekly recovery support group for people living with mental illness. The goal of the group, which is peer-led, is for participants to gain coping strategies and insight from others’ experiences.
NAMI Family Support Group—A peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences.
NAMI provides a wide variety of support groups for those struggling with specific issues. For a current roster of groups, visit the NAMI Sacramento website.
No matter where you come from or what you’re struggling with, proper mental health should never be pushed aside. Organizations like Stop the Stigma Sacramento work to change the way mental health is viewed while providing access to resources. Stop the Stigma serves as a hub for many types of help available throughout the region.
The Stop Stigma Sacramento Speakers Bureau is a free speaking series throughout Sacramento County where those struggling with mental illness can hear encouragement and recommendations from others, and those who have overcome significant mental health struggles can apply to be a speaker to equip others.
Another starting point is Sacramento County’s Department of Mental Health, which offers services to residents regardless of their ability to pay. There are several ways to find out about available services: via telephone, online, at an urgent care clinic, or through interaction with the crisis support team.
Mental Health Access Team—This team will take online requests or do over-the-phone mental health assessments and link individuals to an appropriate mental health provider. Team members work with Medi-Cal providers as well as county preventative services. Call (916) 875-1055.
Sacramento County Mobile Crisis Support Team—Help is available Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. by calling (916) 890-5467. This team performs mental health evaluations upon request and is also able to dispatch a team member to 911 calls made due to psychiatric emergencies. Calls made during the above-mentioned hours will be answered by an officer along with a member of this support team, if available.
Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic—The site offers walk-in service for those experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. Hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last walk-in at 9 p.m.) and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last walk-in at 5 p.m.). The clinic is located at 2130 Stockton Blvd., Building 300, Sacramento, CA 95817. Call (916) 520-2460.
The Source is a Sacramento youth support hotline for young people up to the age of 26, as well as their caregivers. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which is helpful since mental health crises don’t tend to pay attention to the clock or calendar. Support is offered via phone, text and online chat—focusing on familial conflict, advocacy and referrals to other programs throughout the community. Priority is given to foster youth, but any young person can call or participate in monthly fun activities.
Sacramento Youth Mental Health hosts drive-thru pop-ups throughout Sacramento County, giving out gifts and mental health resources to teens. The website also offers links to webinars, event information, and other resources.
The Sacramento LGBT Community Center provides mental health services, including telehealth counseling and drop-in respite. To make a counseling appointment, call (916) 442-0185. Drop-in respite at the Lambda center is for adults aged 25+ who identify with the LGBTQ+ community, and is available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Similar youth services are also available.
Trans Lifeline provides online support for members of the Sacramento trans community, as well as nationally. From counseling hotlines to gaming rooms, the group provides a wide array of resources. Visit the website to learn about upcoming conferences, coming out support and more.
The Redline provides mental health resources specifically to Indigenous people residing within Sacramento County as well as tribal communities throughout the state of California. Help is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. by calling (888) 368-4090 or by live chatting online.
The Sacramento Native American Health Center offers behavioral health services, including counseling options. Any Native American can make an appointment by calling (916) 341-0575.
Sacramento County contracts with therapists who focus on the health and wellness of the Black community. Several therapists located throughout Sacramento are available to work with African Americans and other people of color, regardless of financial status. Find biographies and contact information for these therapists here.
Ifeatu Healing and Community Services provides community support, housing counseling, support groups, and healing circles for African Americans living in Sacramento.
This Veteran’s Crisis Line is a hotline designed specifically for veterans and/or their concerned loved ones. It is connected to the Department of Veteran Affairs, and the crisis line is often run by those who are veterans themselves. Call (800) 273-8255 any time day or night for assistance, or visit the website.
Sacramentans have access to a multitude of phone numbers to call in times of mental health crisis, as well as non-emergency phone numbers for those who just need someone to listen.
24-Hour Suicide Prevention Hotline—(916) 368-3111
Family Resource Center Warmline—(916) 455-9500 (English), (916) 922-1490 (Spanish). For parents of children with special needs.
Friendship Line—(800) 971-0016. 24 hours.
Hope Cooperative Peer Support Line—(855) 502-3224. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A Mother’s Heart—(916) 681-2907. Supporting women and families experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Project Return Peer Support Network Warmline—(888) 448-9777 (English), (888) 448-4055 (Spanish). Seven days a week, 5-10 p.m.
Warm Line—(916) 366-4668. Operated Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., by volunteers who have experienced mental health issues.
AlAnon and Alateen—(888) 425-2666
Alcoholics Anonymous—(916) 454-1100 (English), (916) 428-7086 (Spanish)
Another Choice, Another Chance—(916) 361-2089
Bridges Inc. (Alcohol or Other Drugs)—(916) 450-0700
California Smokers Helpline—(800) 662-8887
C.O.R.E. Medical Clinic Methadone Treatment Support—(916) 442-4985
Cocaine Anonymous—(916) 595-7910
D & A Detox—(916) 364-7660
Marijuana Anonymous—(800) 766-6779
Medmark Treatment Center Opioid Addiction Treatment—(916) 391-4293
Many support groups exist to help those suffering from specific disorders. Here are just a few; many more are listed on the NAMI website. Call for information on when the support groups meet.
Adult Bereavement Group (Sutter Cancer Center)—(916) 388-6215
Bereavement Network Support Meetings—(916) 557-5822
Balanced Bipolar and Depression Support Group—(916) 834-0004
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Support Group—(916) 366-4600
Emotions Anonymous—(916) 366-0699
Friends for Survival—(916) 392-0664. Suicide bereavement support for family/friends.
National Association of Anorexia & Associated Disorders—(916) 284-1416
New Pathways Counseling (Catholic Social Services Program)—(916) 452-7481
Sacramento Obsessive-Compulsive Support—Call Jim at (916) 223-6541
Schizophrenics Anonymous—(916) 441-0874
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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