A behavioral health crisis is a situation in which a person’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviors may lead them to hurt themselves or others or put them at risk of being unable to care for themselves or function in a healthy manner. A person in crisis may experience feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or a sense of losing control. These feelings may be initiated or worsened by substance use.

The following list includes some common signs that may be associated with a mental health or substance use-related crisis:

• Changes in mood or behaviors that cause concern
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Sudden changes to hygiene and self-care practices
• Unusual thoughts, sounds, or visions that cause fear or distress 
• Sudden onset or increase of substance use
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Sense of loss or control over thoughts, feelings, emotions, or behaviors

The CSU welcomes anyone in need of crisis stabilization services who is willing and able to safely engage in such services.  Although treatment at the CSU is only provided for adults ages 18 and over, crisis assessments (including referrals and recommendations) can be provided to minors during walk-in hours.

The CSU is contracted by the county and operated by Sierra Mental Wellness Group. The staff are caring behavioral health professionals such as licensed medical practitioners, mental health clinicians, psychiatrists, and peer support specialists.

Each stay is tailored to the person and their current needs.  

In general, individuals admitted to the CSU will be assessed by staff to determine the most appropriate course of treatment – which can include medication, short-term counseling, observation, etc. They will be provided the opportunity to participate in a recovery plan in which they will strategize ways to remain safe and stabilize in their own environment. An individual will stay as long as needed to stabilize, but services are designed for a stay of up to 24 hours. Upon discharge, the individual will be provided resources to follow up with in order to continue their stabilization. Depending on the needs of the individual, the CSU staff will refer them to behavioral health services and/or primary care services to most closely align with their ongoing treatment needs.

Once the individual is feeling better and the immediate crisis has passed, they are referred to services that can meet their unique and ongoing needs.

The CSU does not take appointments and provides admission on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is strongly recommended to call ahead to check availability. The CSU phone number is (805) 788-2507.

Walk-in hours are daily from 10am-9pm. Referrals can also be made through the Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) or a local Emergency Department.

It is recommended you bring any items needed as part of your stabilization or to benefit your comfort during your stay at the CSU. Such items may include identification, insurance information, prescriptions/medications, provider(s) information, and support person(s) contact information.

Upon admission, your personal items will be inventoried with your involvement, then stored in a secured area during your stay. If appropriate, you can access any of your personal items at the staff's discretion. Upon discharge, your items will be re-inventoried and returned to you.

The CSU is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It is recommended to call ahead to check availability: (805) 788-2507.

Walk-in hours are daily from 10am-9pm. Referrals outside of walk-in hours can be made through the Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) or a local Emergency Department.

The CSU is located on the SLO County Health Campus in San Luis Obispo at:

2180 Johnson Avenue, Unit B

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

From the South, take US 101 North and exit 203C for California Blvd. Turn left onto California Blvd, right onto San Luis Dr., and continue onto Johnson Ave. Turn left onto Bishop St., then pass the SLO County Behavioral Health Campus and turn left into the 2^nd driveway. Follow the alley, then the CSU will be on your left.

From the North, take US 101 South and exit 204 Monterey St. toward Cal Poly State University/Downtown. Turn left onto Buena Vista Ave., then right onto Monterey St. Turn left onto California Blvd, right onto San Luis Dr., and continue onto Johnson Ave. Turn left onto Bishop St., then pass the SLO County Behavioral Health Campus and turn left into the 2^nd driveway. Follow the alley, then the CSU will be on your left.

No one is denied access to CSU services due to inability to pay. The cost of CSU services for individuals who qualify for Medi-Cal, are uninsured, or very low income are generally covered by the County or offered a discounted sliding scale fee schedule based on family size and income. For individuals with private insurance, most insurers will cover CSU services, often with a co-pay or reimbursement rate. Please contact your insurance provider with coverage questions.

You may have a family member or friend bring you to the CSU and support you during the admission process, but they will not be able to stay for the duration of the treatment. If appropriate and with permission, they may also be engaged for your stabilization and discharge plan.

Yes. You do not need to be a resident of San Luis Obispo County to receive services at the CSU.

CSU services are accessible to all people in crisis, whether housed or unsheltered, and includes connections to ongoing behavioral health care and housing services when appropriate.

Yes, language interpreter services are available.