Woman comforting an elderly person.

A Message to Behavioral Health Clients and Families

Author: Behavioral Health Department
Date: 3/15/2020 10:37 PM

SLO Behavioral Health is concerned about your physical health as well as your behavioral health during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Dear Behavioral Health Clients, Families, and Friends:

SLO Behavioral Health is concerned about your physical health as well as your behavioral health.

While we are experiencing a public health emergency, we would like to reassure you that we will continue to provide you with behavioral health care in the safest way possible. 

Please read the following information so you know how to continue to receive services during this event.

Ongoing Appointments

Behavioral Health will be contacting all clients with scheduled appointments to offer telephone appointments in lieu of in-person visits. Please do not come to the clinics if you are experiencing symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, or a fever. Our phone lines may be very busy at first; please be patient and be assured that a staff member will return your call or reach out to you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

We are suspending most group sessions at this time, unless social distancing and other prevention measures are available in the space allowed. Court ordered services will continue until otherwise directed by Superior Court. 

For clients with urgent needs, we will be screening for signs of illness and/or ill household members and, when appropriate, following public health guidelines on social distancing, provide care either in a clinic, community, or home setting.

For Your Safety

Please make sure you have sufficient medication at home. We recommend you refill your medication as soon as possible.

For your safety, when you arrive in person to an appointment, you will be screened at the front desk and asked to wear a face mask if you are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever. This is the same procedure as many primary care physicians use. If you are uncomfortable wearing a mask, we will ask you to wait outside for your provider to see you, or ask you to return home and have a telephone consult.

Enhanced cleaning, following public health guidelines, is happening at all our facilities. All staff are following public health guidelines for maintaining a clean workspace. Staff have been instructed to wipe down phones, computer keyboards, door handles, desks, etc. regularly, and especially after in-person visits.  We also request clients stay a few feet away from the front counter to allow for a six foot distance from receptionists.  Handing in forms, signing in, etc. are fine and should not be considered a risk.

 

We will continue to keep up to date on communications to ensure the people we serve and those who serve them are informed with the most current and accurate information. We thank you for ensuring your health and the health of others at this time. We are encouraging all clients to stay calm, and reach out to their provider if needed.  Please also consider using the following resources:

  • If you are in crisis, please call the SLO Hotline at (800)783-0607. You may also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HELLO to 741-741.
  • To begin behavioral health services, please call the access line at (800) 838-1381.
  • Visit www.ReadySLO.org for the latest public health updates and recommendations or call the SLO Public Health information line at (805) 788-2903.