Crisis/Emergency Support

In a life threatening EMERGENCY, call

9-1-1

And ask for a CIT officer (Crisis Intervention Team)

In a MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, call

9-8-8*

* Only for area code 408, 650 or 669. For all other area codes, call

800-704-0900  and press 1

OR

Text RENEW to 741441 (Crisis Text Line)

For further information click on the collapsible text bars below

1. What to Expect When You Call 9-1-1

If your family member is having a life threatening emergency and/or is immediate danger to themselves or others,

Call 911 & ask for CIT officer*

(*CIT is Crisis intervention Team)

911 CHECKLIST

Hold this list in your hand when you call 911, so you can read from it.

Give the dispatcher the following information:

  • Your name
  • Address to which the police should respond
  • Nature of the crisis (Why you need the police)
  • Prior or current violent behavior 
  • Weapons or access to weapons
  • Name of your family member in crisis
  • Age of family member
  • Height & weight of family member
  • Clothing description of family member
  • CURRENT location of family member
  • Diagnosis (Mental Health and/or Medical)
  • Current medications (on or off?)
  • Drug use (current or past)
  • Triggers (what upsets them?)
  • State what has helped in previous police contacts
  • Identify other persons in the residence or at the location


IMPORTANT:
You are asking a stranger to come into your home to resolve a crisis. They will only have the information that you provide to them. It is a good practice to gather as much of this information as possible before a crisis occurs.

THE POLICE RESPONSE

What to expect…Who will respond to your crisis?

  • The 911 operator will dispatch uniformed patrol officers to your location.
  • Officers will detain your family member, which will include handcuffing and is for the safety of everyone, including your family member.
  • Officers will conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether a crime occurred.
  • Officers will conduct a preliminary mental health investigation to determine whether your family member is a danger to self, danger to other(s), or gravely disabled due to a mental illness (CA WIC §5150).
  • Your statements and historical information are an important part of the mental health investigation (CA WIC §5150.05). AB1424 gives you the right to provide information to the authorities who make decisions for your family member. It’s helpful to ownload and complete the AB1424 Form before a crisis. 
  • Officers will inquire about any firearms or other deadly weapons, and in most cases will seize them for safekeeping (pursuant to CA WIC §8102).
  • Officers will take your family member to Santa Clara County Emergency Psychiatric Services (EPS) if it is determined that they meet 5150 criteria. 
  • If your family member is an adult, the officers and/or the EPS cannot disclose information about him/her due to medical records-related privacy laws unless he/she gives a verbal or signed authorization to release information. Use AB1424 form to give EPS medical information for your family member’s treatment. For EPS contact information, see section “3 Local Emergency Numbers (open 24 hours/7 days)” below

* Adapted from LAPD’s Mental Evaluation Unit’s 911 Checklist

2. What to Expect When You Call 9-8-8
What you need to know about 988
  • 988 is the three-digit number to call for a mental health emergency or crisis. 988 is free, confidential and available 24/7.
  • It is the new number for the national Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and you can also dial 988 if you are worried about a loved one who may need mental health crisis support.
  • People with area codes other than 408, 650, and 669 should dial 800-704-0900 and press 1 for these services.  If you call 988 from a different area code, you will be routed to the crisis center staff associated with that location, who will then have to transfer your call to the Santa Clara County’s 988 – Crisis & Suicide Prevention Lifeline (also known as the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Call Center)
  • NAMI Santa Clara County recommends you call 988 rather than 911 (unless you or a loved one is experiencing a life-threatening crisis which requires 911 emergency services).  With 988, if the situation requires an in-person response, trained mental health workers rather than police officers will usually take the lead in approaching the person in crisis. This is safer for the person needing mental health evaluation and support.
What happens when you call 988

When you call 988 – Crisis & Suicide Prevention Lifeline,trained counselors respond. Callers can also speak with a clinician who will screen and assess crisis situations over the phone and provide onsite support as needed. Services may or may not involve law enforcement in emergencies. * (Note: 988 also takes you to the general phone number for the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Call Center, with access to non-crisis services.  See “3. County Mental Health and Crisis Assistance” for more information.)

County residents may request and receive the following crisis services:

  • In-Person Response (by Community Mobile Response Teams)
    • Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) – 24×7 Mobile crisis team that will come out to evaluate adults 18+ during a mental health crisis for possible mental health hospitalization.  
    • Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST) – 24×7 non-law enforcement mobile crisis response team who work closely with family members to assess someone 18+ in a mental health crisis, to help de-escalate and stabilize the situation, and/or to provide intervention and follow up services
      **NEW**  TRUST now has a direct line (in addition to access via 988).  For a faster response, call (408) 596-7290
    • Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) – 24×7 Child/Adolescent Mobile crisis team that will come out to evaluate children, teens and young adults ages 4-18 during a mental health crisis for possible mental health ospitalization.  
    • In-Home Outreach Teams (IHOT) – support and linkage to behavioral health services to County adult residents 18+ with Medi-Cal or no insurance, identified having multiple contacts with EPS, ERs, Behavioral Health Urgent Care, the Criminal Justice System, and/or MCRT
    • Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) – (Mon- Fri 8am-5pm) 911 rapid crisis response team with a police officer and mental health clinician, for Santa Clara, Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Altos Hills and unincorporated County 
  • Phone Response (by trained counselors)
    • Provide comapssionate and confidential phone support
    • Provide mental health and related resource information
For family members: How to prepare before calling 988

It helps to have a list of current information on the person in crisis when you call 988. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything listed below, but they can be very helpful to the operator.  

  • Your name and relationship to the person in crisis
  • Nature of the mental health crisis 
  • Name of your family member in crisis
  • Age of family member
  • Diagnosis, if you know of one (mental health and/or medical)
  • Past psychiatric emergencies or hospitalization (very brief summary)
  • Current Insurance
  • Current medications (on or off?)
  • Drug use (current or past)
  • If you are asking for an in-person mental health crisis response, be prepared with information on:
    • CURRENT location of family member
    • Other people in the house
    • Prior or current violent or self-harming behavior
    • Weapons or access to weapons
    • Height & weight of family member
    • Triggers (what upsets them?)
    • State what has helped in previous crisis situations

988 informational handouts:

3. County Mental Health and Crisis Assistance

Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Call Center 1-800-704-0900

People looking for mental health and substance use treatment services can call this number for:

  • Referrals to mental health or substance use treatment services. (Referrals are offered to individuals of all ages)
  • General information about BHSD services. (Behavioral Health services are offered to Santa Clara County residents who receive Medi-Cal or Medicare benefits, or have no insurance.)
  • To make a grievance or appeal a filing.
  • Behavioral Health System Navigators : Peer guidance for wellness and connection to resources

The County BHSD line is free and available 24/7 in more than 200 languages. Trained and licensed mental health and substance use treatment professionals answer all calls

Call 1-800-704-0900 and choose

Option #1 for Urgent Mental Health Services, Mobile Crisis Response Team, or Suicide Prevention Hotline 

Option #2 for Referral to Mental Health/Substance Use Services

Option #3 for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)

Option #4 for General Mental Health Information  (Behavioral Health System Navigator Program)

Option #5 for Complaint/Grievance/Appeal

Santa Clara County Emergency Psychiatric Services (EPS) 408-885-6100
871 Enborg Court, San Jose, 95128
EPS evaluates all persons placed on a 5120 involuntary hold in Santa Clara County. for hospitalization or release.  Persons who feel they are a danger to themselves or others and feel they need hospitalizaiton can also walk in and ask for an evaluation.

Behavioral Health Urgent Psychiatric Care (BHUC)  408-885-7855
2221 Enborg Lane, San Jose, CA 95128
Walk-in mental health clinic, with a psychiatrist on duty seven days a week for those seeking voluntary services. They are open daily 8 am -7 pm including holidays. For After Hours (7 pm – 8 am), use EPS rear entrance for psychiatric emergency services.

Momentum Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU): Ph. 408-207-0560 x1 
101 Jose Figueres Ave, Suite 50, San Jose, CA 95116
This is a voluntary inpatient option for someone experiencing behavioral crisis where they can stay for 24 hours. This facility has a registered nurse, clinicians and peer navigators. They provide services such as screening, assessment, treatment plans, brief therapy, peer support, to people and families, to stabilize a crisis. You can self-refer. Eligible for people on  Medi-Cal or are uninsured. Open 24/7. For the brochure, click HERE 

4. Other Emergency Assistance

Crisis Text Line (24/7) – [text RENEW to 741741] Free text support from a crisis counselor

California Youth Crisis Line (24/7) 800-843-5200 – California emergency response system for youth (ages 12-24) and families in crisis

YWCA Rape Crisis Hotline (24/7)  408-287-3000

Community Solutions Hotline (24/7 sexual assault and domestic violence)  877-363-7238

San Mateo County Star Vista Crisis Line  650-579-0350

5 Other Local Crisis Support

NAMI Santa Clara County Helpline Help Desk 408-453-0400, option 1
(M-F 10:00 am to 6:00 pm) 1150 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 24, San Jose, CA 95128
Peer-based mental health support, education and referrals, for people with mental illness and their loved ones.

Local Non-Emergency Police: Call your city’s non-emergency police department number and request a CIT* police officer to do a “welfare check.”
*Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) police officers are trained to recognize and understand the seriousness and sensitivity of the mentally ill during a crisis situation.

Santa Clara County Child Abuse Hotline (24/7)

San Jose: 408-299-2071
Palo Alto: 650-493-1186
Gilroy/Morgan Hill Area: 408-683-0601

Centre for Living with Dying-Bill Wilson Center (Grief and Loss Support for children, adolescents, and adults)  408-850-6145

Kara (Grief Support for children, teens, families and adults in Palo Alto)  650-321-5272.

Planned Parenthood (24/7 Birth Control, Pregnancy, Women’s Health)  408-287-7526

Anti-Hate Hotline (Discrimination and Hate Line)  408-279-0111

Victim Witness Assistance*  408-295-2656

If your loved one is missing, information and suggestions for finding them can be found on the Locating Missing Persons page.

6. Santa Clara County Jail Mental Health Information

If your loved one is arrested and/or held at the Santa Clara County Jail, useful contacts, information and resources are available on our Family Member Arrested page.

7. Local Substance Abuse Assistance
* Indicates 24 hour line

Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups (for families & friends of alcoholics)* 408-379-9375

AA – Alcoholics Anonymous* 408-374-8511

NA – Narcotics Anonymous* 408-998-4200

CA – Cocaine Anonymous 408-891-2705

Santa Clara County Alcohol and Drug Screening, Information and Referral (Medi-Cal or no insurance) 800-704-0900 x2

8. National Crisis Numbers
* Indicates 24 hour line

National Suicide Prevention Line Lifeline (24/7)* Call 9-8-8

Trans Lifeline (24/7)  877-565-8860 – Crisis hotline by and for the transgender community

The Trevor Project (24/7)  866-488-7386 or Text ‘START” to 678-678 – Nationwide crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth

National RunawaySafeline  (24/7)  1-800-786-2929

Girls and Boys Town Hotline 800-448-3000

Institute on Aging Friendship Line (for persons over 60, or adults with disabilities) 800-971-0016

SAMSHA National Helpline (24/7)  800-662-4357 – free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders

National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7) 800-799-7233

National US Child Abuse Hotline (24/7) 800-422-4453