Key Takeaways
- Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health is the primary public mental health authority serving the county's 2.4 million residents.
- Crisis services including a 24/7 helpline, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization units are available throughout the county.
- Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders require integrated treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously.
- Private insurance, Medi-Cal, and county-funded programs provide multiple pathways to access mental health care.
- Trust SoCal in Fountain Valley offers dual diagnosis treatment for individuals with co-occurring addiction and mental health conditions.
The Mental Health Landscape in Riverside County
Riverside County, home to more than 2.4 million residents spread across 7,300 square miles, faces significant mental health challenges that are compounded by rapid population growth, geographic barriers to care, and a shortage of behavioral health professionals relative to the population. The county's diverse communities, ranging from dense urban areas in the west to remote desert towns in the east, require a flexible and far-reaching mental health service system.
The Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health department serves as the county's public behavioral health authority, administering a network of county-operated and contracted mental health programs. This system provides services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries, uninsured residents, and individuals referred through the criminal justice and child welfare systems. For residents with private insurance, a separate network of private practitioners, group practices, and hospital-based programs provides mental health care.
Understanding what services are available and how to access them is the first step toward getting help. Whether you are experiencing a crisis, need ongoing therapy, or are dealing with the intersection of mental health and substance use issues, this guide will help you navigate the resources available in Riverside County.
Crisis and Emergency Mental Health Services
When a mental health crisis occurs, immediate intervention can be life-saving. Riverside County maintains several crisis resources that are available around the clock to any resident regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
The Riverside County Crisis Helpline at 951-686-HELP (4357) provides 24/7 telephone support, crisis counseling, and referrals to local services. Trained crisis counselors can assess the situation, provide immediate support, and dispatch mobile crisis teams when needed. The national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline also connects callers to local crisis resources.
- Riverside County Crisis Helpline: 951-686-HELP (4357) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate crisis support
- Mobile Crisis Teams: Mental health professionals who respond to crisis situations in the community
- Crisis Stabilization Units: Short-term facilities providing immediate psychiatric stabilization
- Psychiatric emergency services at Riverside University Health System Medical Center
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm or suicide, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24/7.
Ongoing Mental Health Treatment Options
Beyond crisis services, Riverside County offers various levels of ongoing mental health treatment for individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric conditions.
Outpatient Therapy and Counseling
Individual therapy with a licensed mental health professional is the most common form of ongoing mental health treatment. Riverside County has a network of private therapists, community mental health centers, and clinic-based counselors who provide evidence-based therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, EMDR for trauma, and psychodynamic approaches.
For Medi-Cal beneficiaries, the county's behavioral health system provides access to therapy through a network of contracted providers. The Access and Assessment line at 951-358-4500 is the entry point for individuals seeking county-funded mental health services. Private insurance holders can access providers through their plan's network directory or by contacting their insurance company for referrals.
Psychiatric Medication Management
Psychiatric medications including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety medications, and antipsychotics play an important role in managing many mental health conditions. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners in Riverside County provide medication evaluation, prescribing, and ongoing monitoring to ensure that medications are effective and well-tolerated.
Medication management is most effective when combined with therapy, as medications address symptoms while therapy builds the coping skills and insight needed for sustained recovery. Regular follow-up appointments allow prescribers to adjust medications based on response and side effects.
The Connection Between Mental Health and Addiction
Mental health and substance use disorders frequently co-occur, a condition known as dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders. Research indicates that approximately half of individuals with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health condition, and the relationship between the two is often bidirectional. Mental health symptoms may drive substance use as a form of self-medication, while substance use can trigger or worsen psychiatric symptoms.
Common co-occurring combinations include depression and alcohol use disorder, PTSD and opioid addiction, anxiety disorders and benzodiazepine dependence, and bipolar disorder with stimulant or alcohol misuse. These combinations create complex clinical presentations that require integrated treatment approaches addressing both conditions simultaneously.
Trust SoCal in Fountain Valley specializes in dual diagnosis treatment, providing psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and evidence-based therapy for both addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions within a single, coordinated program. This integrated approach produces significantly better outcomes than treating each condition separately. Riverside County residents can reach Trust SoCal at (949) 280-8360.
Treating only the addiction without addressing underlying mental health conditions is a common reason for relapse. Integrated dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously produces the best long-term outcomes.
How to Access Mental Health Services
Navigating the mental health system can feel daunting, but there are clear pathways to accessing care in Riverside County. If you have private insurance, your plan's member services line can provide a list of in-network mental health providers. Many therapists and psychiatrists also accept self-pay clients at rates that vary based on their credentials and location.
For Medi-Cal beneficiaries, the Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health Access and Assessment line at 951-358-4500 is the starting point for accessing county-funded services. Staff will conduct a telephone screening and schedule an assessment appointment at a convenient location. For individuals without insurance, county behavioral health services are available on a sliding fee scale.
Regardless of how you access care, the most important step is making the first call. Mental health conditions are treatable, and early intervention prevents symptoms from worsening and reduces the risk of developing secondary problems such as substance use disorders.
Madeline Villarreal, Counselor
Counselor
