Behavioral Health Bureau
Assists Monterey County citizens with mental health and addictive disorders to live in the community, while reducing the social, legal, health, and economic consequences of behavioral health problems. This is accomplished through a range of Psycho-social interventions such as inpatient hospitalization, crisis interventions, recovery programs, prevention services, supportive housing, wellness centers, and outpatient services for adults and children with alcohol, drug or mental health problems.
Fiesta of Hope - Save the Date - Thursday, May 23, 2013 - Click here for more information
Frequently Asked Questions for Preparedness for and Responses to Public Tragedy
Access to Treatment
The goal of the new “Access to Treatment” model is to facilitate easy access for Medi-Cal eligible individuals to public mental health services. The purpose of this new model is to ensure that callers are immediately connected with someone that can assess their mental health needs, connect them to appropriate services and/or invite them to participate in treatment at Monterey County Behavioral Health.
Click here to view the Access to Treatment brochure | Haga clique aqui para ver el boletin de Acceso a Tratamiento en Español
Access to Treatment phone number 888-258-6029
Specialized Services
The Monterey County Health Department, Behavioral Health Division is currently providing the following services in response to the economic crisis:Supportive Crisis Intervention & Debriefing / Crisis Support Team
In August 2008 Behavioral Health created a crisis support team. The team consists of specially trainedBehavioral Health staff who are available to individuals, first responders, organizations and employers in the community to facilitate debriefings following a critical or traumatic incident such as learning about the sudden death of a co-worker, or witnessing a tragic event. Behavioral Health staff assists people to work through the initial stages of grief and provides self care tips and resources. As expressed by Devon Corpus from the Behavioral Health Crisis Team: “We help individuals work through all of the emotions they are feeling –anger, sadness and fear- and help them restore a sense of control. As necessary we connect individuals with resources for continued care and services.” For more information, please contact the Crisis Team at: (831) 755-4111. >
Support and Consultation to County Social and Employment Services Staff
These agencies are seeing a large increase in people applying for Medi-Cal and looking for job training, among other needs. Behavioral Health is offering staff, many of who feel overwhelmed and at risk of “burn out”, with the opportunity to debrief and talk about difficult situations they are encountering during their daily work. In addition, Behavioral Health conducted training for staff around how to recognize a person in crisis, how to deescalate a crisis and when to refer a person to mental health services. For more information please contact: Pedro Perez, Behavioral Health Services Manager, Adult Services at (831) 796-1700.Depression Screening Events
Many people in our county are in fear of, or have already lost their job, home or both. This is tied to higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression. So far, Behavioral Health has hosted two depression screenings – one as part of a Bi-national Health Week event in Salinas and the second as part of Parent University hosted by Castro Plaza Family Resource Center. Twenty community members participated in the screenings and 12 were referred to community agencies or Behavioral Health to assist them with their immediate needs. Planning efforts for two more depression screening events – one in South County – are currently underway. For more information please contact: Rosemary Soto, Prevention & Early Intervention Coordinator at (831) 755-4581.
Click here to view the 2013 Mental Health Commission Calendar
“Walk-In Wednesdays”
The South County, Salinas and Monterey Behavioral Health Offices are offering "Walk-in Wednesdays" from 1pm to 4pm every week. Every Wednesday from 1pm to 4pm, community members are able to walk into each of our regional clinics without an appointment and meet with Behavioral Health staff about services available to them.
- In South County visit: 200 Broadway, Ste. #88 in King City (831) 386-6868 or 1-888-258-6029
- In Salinas visit: 1441 Constitution Blvd. Bldg. 400, Ste. 202 in Salinas (831) 755-5505 or 1-888-258-6029
- In Monterey visit: 1200 Aguajito Rd in Monterey (831) 647-7652 or 1-888-258-6029
Family Support Groups
Approximately 54 million Americans suffer from some form of mental illness in a given year. Most families are not prepared to cope with learning their loved one has a mental illness. If you think you, or someone you know, may have a mental or emotional problem, it is important to remember there is hope and help. Community members are also welcome to attend Psycho Educational Skills Groups for family members and friends of individuals living with mental illness. These groups are bilingual and cover topics such as conflict resolution and increasing your self esteem. For more information, please contact our offices near you.- In Salinas call: (831) 796-1700
- In Monterey call: (831) 647-7652
- in King City call: (831) 386-6868
Sam’s Guide to Monterey County Family Resources
This resource guide includes information on more than 30 topics or areas of service. Included are resources for food, housing, drug counseling, disabilities, health care, parent education, child development, domestic violence, recreation programs, senior services, and transportation, to name a few. Some 350 agencies and programs are listed in the guide. This is an excellent resource for nurses, social workers, counselors, teachers, community liaison workers and all others who provide counseling on health and social services to families in Monterey County, California. Last updated Summer 2009.
Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)
La Ley de Servicios de Salud Mental (MHSA por sus siglas en Ingles)
To learn more about the impact of MHSA in Monterey County, take a look at the MHSA Annual report for FY2012-13. For additional information please contact Alica Hendricks, MHSA Coordinator at 831-755-4510 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view itPara saber mas sobre el impacto de la MHSA en el Condado de Monterey, tome un vistazo al Reporte Anual para el año fiscal 2012-13. Para mayor información, comuniquese con Rosemary Soto, Coordinadora de PEI al 831-755-4510 o
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mental Health Commission
Legislative Reference
Established pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5604, Resolution No. 77-333, August 9, 1977, Section 5604, Chapter 1, Part (Short-Doyle); amended by Resolution No. 80-12; amended by Resolution No. 84-273 (re-structuring board) and rescinding Resolution No. 77-333; amended by Resolution No. 86-76; amended by Resolution No. 93-271 (name change) adopted July 27, 1993; amended by board order on December 14, 2004.
Commission Membership
The Commission consists of 17 members, including one member of the Board of Supervisors. At least 50% of the membership should be consumers or the parents, spouses, siblings, or adult children of mental health consumers, who are receiving or have received mental health services. (20% of the total membership should be consumers, and at least 20% shall be family members of consumers).
The remaining members should be individuals who have experience or knowledge of the mental health system. Click here to view the Mental Health Commission Roster
The remaining members should be individuals who have experience or knowledge of the mental health system. Click here to view the Mental Health Commission Roster
Commission Associates
The Commission may appoint up to five associate members between the ages of 15 and 18 years to bring the perspectives of youth to the Mental Health Commission. These associates will have not have oting privileges but will have the right to participate in all other matters of the Commission, with the exception of training conducted in areas outside the county. The associate members of this class serve a one-year term. Terms will expire December 31 of each year.
Commissioner Term
Each appointee serves a 3-year term. The members’ terms are staggered so that five members appointed by the individual Supervisors expire each year. The regular appointee’s terms run from June 1st of the year of appointment, until May 31st, three years later.
