24/7 HELP LINE FOR MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES

As of July 9, 2024, residents reaching the call center will experience more streamlined menu options to better access mental health and substance use services across the County. Previously, residents needed to call two separate help lines — LACDMH’s 24/7 Help Line and DPH’s Substance Abuse Services Helpline (SASH). These 24/7 help lines are often the first point of contact for residents seeking wellbeing resources.

Now, when calling the centralized help line at (800) 854-7771 and selecting from more than a dozen languages, callers will have the opportunity to: “press 1” for crisis and mental health resources; “press 2” for substance use disorder services; or “press 3” for veteran and military family support. Residents who call the SASH line at (844) 804-7500 will hear a message informing them of the new number and will be automatically redirected.

“The Department of Mental Health is proud to partner with the Department of Public Health in this effort to make connecting with services easier for residents seeking wellbeing support and treatment,” said LACDMH Director, Dr. Lisa H. Wong. “By streamlining intakes, referrals and linkage, the County will improve health outcomes and experiences for those in need of services and support.” 

Mental health issues and substance use disorders commonly occur together. According to the most recently published 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data, more than one-third of adults aged 18 or older who had a mental illness in the past year also experienced a substance use disorder.

"Public Health recognizes the critical importance of ensuring seamless access to mental health and substance use services,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “Centralizing both 24/7 call centers into one Help Line will better support residents in accessing services, particularly those with co-occurring disorders who need both mental health and substance use services."

The strategic centralization of services between LACDMH and DPH’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Bureau is the first landmark in a long-term plan to enhance the consumer experience and streamline the California Department of Health Care Services’ oversight functions. While administratively separate entities, the Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Bureau within DPH and LACDMH are committed to collaborating to advance integrated care for County residents.

Help us spread the word about this important resource. View/download our Help Line toolkit here. (Note: update to come for this toolkit to reflect new Help Line options.)

Additional helplines and resources:
Please note the below resources are not directly operated by LACDMH

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  A national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7 throughout the U.S. via phone call, text messaging, or online chat. (Please note that the previous phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 will remain operational.) 
• Crisis Text Line: Text “LA” to 741741
  Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free crisis support via text message.
• Disaster Distress Helpline: (800) 985-5990
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline provides crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
• Trevor Project Lifeline: (800) 788-7386
  The TrevorLifeline provides support to LGBTQ youths and allies in crisis or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk.
• Substance Abuse Service Helpline: (844) 804-7500
  Operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, this hotline provides screening, resources and service referrals regarding substance use disorders.
• 211 LA County: Dial 2-1-1 within Los Angeles County
  211 LA County is the hub for all types of health, human and social services in Los Angeles County, providing callers with information and referrals to the services that best meet their needs.
• Los Angeles Homeless Outreach Portal (LA-HOP)
  Operated by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), LA-HOP is designed to assist people experiencing homelessness by dispatching homeless outreach teams throughout Los Angeles County.
• L.A. Found: (833) 569-7651 or [email protected]
  L.A. Found is a countywide initiative to help locate individuals who wander due to dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism or other cognitive impairments. Watch this video to learn more about L.A. Found.
• Family Urgent Response System (FURS)– call or text 1-833-939-FURS (3877) or visit CAL-FURS.ORG
  FURS is a free 24/7/365 hotline for current or former foster youth (up to age 21) and their caregivers to receive phone, text, chat and/or in-person support when needed for any issues, big or small.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): (800) 950-6264
  NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
• Los Angeles County NAMI Chapters
  • NAMI Antelope Valley
  • NAMI Greater LA County
    • NAMI Glendale
    • NAMI Long Beach/Whittier
    • NAMI Pomona Valley
    • NAMI San Fernando Valley
    • NAMI San Gabriel Valley
    • NAMI South Bay LA County
  • NAMI Urban Los Angeles
  • NAMI Westside Los Angeles