San Diego Mental Health Crisis Resources

Written by Erik Lee, PMHNP-BC | Last reviewed: September 23, 2026 Finding immediate support during a mental health emergency should not require searching through confusing government websites. This directory provides direct contact information and official web links for national and California support lines, San Diego County's crisis line, mobile crisis teams, and 24/7 walk-in crisis stabilization units across the county.

The basics of San Diego crisis care options

National hotlines offer immediate phone or text support. Dialing or texting 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects you to confidential care 24 hours a day. In San Diego County, 988 calls are answered by the county's own Access & Crisis Line. The county crisis line dispatches local mobile teams. The San Diego Access & Crisis Line can send a Mobile Crisis Response Team of clinicians and peer support staff directly to your location, without law enforcement. Crisis stabilization units provide 24/7 walk-in care. These units offer short-term stabilization, clinical assessment, and medication support without an appointment. Any county resident can use any site. Emergency rooms handle acute medical and physical safety needs. Hospital emergency departments provide around-the-clock evaluation when there is immediate danger or physical injury.

San Diego County crisis lines and walk-in directory

National and statewide crisis lines

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988. Free, confidential support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Veterans can press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor by text message. Text HOLA for support in Spanish. California Peer-Run Warm Line: Call or text 855-600-WARM (9276). Free peer support for anyone in California who needs someone to talk to when it is not an emergency. Open weekdays; check the website for current hours. Teen Line: Call 800-852-8336 (6 to 10 p.m.) or text TEEN to 839863 (6 to 9 p.m.) for support from trained teen volunteers. Calls outside those hours reach adult counselors 24/7.

San Diego County crisis line and mobile crisis teams

San Diego Access & Crisis Line: Call 888-724-7240 or dial 988. Clinicians answer 24/7, free and confidential, with interpreters in more than 200 languages. Mobile Crisis Response Teams: Call 888-724-7240, or call or text 988, and ask for a mobile crisis team. A clinician, case manager, and peer support specialist come to you anywhere in the county, 24/7, for all ages. Teams do not include law enforcement.

Central San Diego walk-in crisis care

San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital, Emergency Psychiatric Unit: Located at 3853 Rosecrans St, San Diego, CA 92110. Call 619-692-8232. Open 24/7 for adults 18 and older. Children and Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit: Located at 4309 Third Ave, San Diego, CA 92103. Call 619-876-4502. Open 24/7 for young people under 18. Call ahead to confirm eligibility, since the county lists this unit for Medi-Cal members.

North County walk-in crisis care

North Coastal Crisis Stabilization Unit, Vista: Located at 524 W. Vista Way, Vista, CA 92083. Call 760-305-4900. Open 24/7 for adults 18 and older. Live Well Health Center Crisis Stabilization Unit, Oceanside: Located at 1701 Mission Ave, Suite 130, Oceanside, CA 92058. Call 760-305-4848. Open 24/7 for adults 18 and older. Palomar Crisis Stabilization Unit, Escondido: Located at 2185 Citracado Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92029. Call 760-739-3012. Open 24/7 for adults 18 and older.

South County walk-in crisis care

Paradise Valley Bayview Crisis Stabilization Unit: Located at 330 Moss St, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Call 619-585-4221. Open 24/7 for adults 18 and older. Sharp Chula Vista Crisis Stabilization Unit: Located inside the Emergency Department at 751 Medical Center Ct, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Call 619-502-5800. Open 24/7 for adults 18 and older.

East County walk-in crisis care

East Region Crisis Stabilization Unit, El Cajon: Located at 200 S. Magnolia Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020. Call 619-924-4205. Opened July 2026. Open 24/7 for adults 18 and older.

How to choose between walk-in units and emergency rooms

Choose a crisis stabilization unit for urgent emotional distress. Walk-in units work best when you feel overwhelmed, need medication stabilization, or need a safe space to de-escalate without medical emergency intervention. Choose an emergency room for physical injury or acute danger. Head to the nearest hospital emergency room or call 911 if there is immediate risk of self-harm, physical overdose, or medical complications.

Common pitfalls when seeking immediate help

Calling general law enforcement during a mental health crisis. Action: Call 988 or 888-724-7240 and ask for a Mobile Crisis Response Team. If you do call 911, ask whether a Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) clinician is available. Waiting until office hours open on Monday morning. Action: Save 888-724-7240 in your mobile phone contacts today so you can call 24/7. Assuming walk-in care requires insurance. Action: Go directly. The County Psychiatric Hospital serves everyone regardless of insurance or ability to pay, and county crisis stabilization units serve people who are uninsured or on Medi-Cal. Units may bill private insurance when you have it.

Practical tips to prepare crisis information

Program the Access & Crisis Line into your mobile phone. Label the contact clearly, such as "SD Crisis Line," for fast dialing. Keep a written list of current medications in your wallet. Having dosages and prescriber contacts ready speeds up intake at walk-in units. Identify two trusted contacts who know your safety plan. Share the address of your nearest crisis stabilization unit with family or close friends in advance. Store the nearest walk-in unit in your navigation app. Pinning it ahead of time saves time during stressful moments.

The bottom line

Accessing mental health crisis support in San Diego County is straightforward when you know which resource matches your immediate needs. Saving the Access & Crisis Line number and knowing your nearest crisis stabilization unit helps you get prompt care without delay. Crisis resources for other areas: Oregon | San Francisco