LA County Revamps 24/7 Help Line for Mental Health & Substance Use Services

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Los Angeles County residents in need of mental health or substance use services can get assistance by calling a centralized call center, officials announced Wednesday.

The county departments of Mental Health and Public Health have centralized two separate help lines -- Mental Health's 24/7 Help Line and Public Health's Substance Abuse Services Help Line -- into one at 800-854-7771. County officials rolled out the centralized line on July 9.

When calling the centralized help line, callers can select from more than a dozen languages to seek aid. Callers can "press 1" for crisis and mental health resources; "press 2" for substance use disorder services; or "press 3" for veteran and military family support. County residents who dial the previous Substance Abuse Services Help Line will be informed of the new number and 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," DMH Director Dr. Lisa Wong said in a statement. "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, officials said. 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," Barbara Ferrer, director of the Department of Public Health, said. ``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 centralization of services between DMH and DPH's Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Bureau is part of a long-term plan to enhance the consumer experience and streamline the California Department of Health Care Services' oversight functions, according to the county. While separate entities, the Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Bureau within DPH and DMH are committed to care for county residents.