County Behavioral Health Maintains Essential Services During COVID19 Shelter Order
Author: Behavioral Health Department
Date: 3/27/2020 3:00 PM
County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Department will continue to support the community's mental health and treatment needs.
The priorities of the County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Department are client and community safety, and the department will continue to provide excellent care to community members with serious mental illness and addiction treatment needs.
“Our goal is to continue to provide consistent care as much as possible,” said County Behavioral Health Director Anne Robin. “Most Behavioral Health clinics are deemed essential services and will remain open during the Shelter at Home order. The department will provide behavioral health care in the safest way possible.”
Each clinic has adapted operations to provide telephone or telehealth appointments to all clients who receive medication, treatment, and/or therapy and counseling services. Staff are calling all current clients to check on them and their wellbeing. The Psychiatric Health Facility (inpatient) and Crisis Stabilization Unit will continue to operate, and the mobile Mental Health Evaluation Team will continue to serve hospital emergency departments to respond to psychiatric crises.
County officials encourage community members to maintain mental wellness during the Shelter at Home Order by using all of the resources available. Community members may visit the County’s Virtual Local Assistance Center on ReadySLO.org. to see a list of available wellness resources and coping tips to get through these uncertain times. Community members looking to receive County Behavioral Health Services for the first time, or those with questions about their current care, are asked to call County Behavioral Health Services Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-838-1381.
While maintaining appropriate physical distancing, the Behavioral Health Department encourages the community to practice self-care by going for a walk, or working on outside home projects and crafts.
The department thanks its clients, partners, and the community for their patience and understanding during these difficult times. If you are in crisis, please call the SLO Hotline at (800) 783-0607. You may also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (The National Warm line) at 1-800-273-8255 or text HELLO to ‘741-741’. Visit SLOPublicHealth.org/covid19 for the latest updates and recommendations on COVID-19 or call the Public Health Information Line at (805) 781-5500.
