Step 3: How to Get Mental Health Services — By County​

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If you have Medi-Cal:

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1. Call the LACDMH ACCESS Line: (800) 854-7771 — this is the main entry point. Tell them you have Medi-Cal and are looking for outpatient mental health services.

2. They will screen you and refer you to a provider or clinic in your area.

3. You can also call 211 — dial 2-1-1 from any phone to be connected to services.

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If you have private insurance:

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1. Log into your insurance portal and search for in-network mental health or behavioral health providers.

2. Call your insurance’s member services line and ask for a referral to an outpatient therapist or psychiatrist.

3. Ask specifically: “What is my deductible for mental health services? Do I need a referral? Are telehealth sessions covered?”

4. If referred to a third-party provider, ask them upfront what you’ll owe per session before you commit.

 

If you have no insurance:

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• 211 LA (dial 2-1-1): Free and sliding-scale mental health services

• NAMI Urban Los Angeles: (323) 294-7814 | namiurbanla.org — support groups, education, free resources

• Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services: Sliding scale therapy, multiple locations across LA County

• Mind-1-1: mind11.org — online directory of free/low-cost mental health resources in LA

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If you have Medi-Cal:

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1. Call the CARES Line — available 24/7 for Medi-Cal and Riverside County Health Plan members. Dial 2-1-1 to be connected.

2. They will screen you and link you to mental health or substance use services.

3. Visit rcdmh.org for a full service directory broken down by region (Desert, Mid-County, Western).

 

If you have no insurance:

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• Riverside County 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care: Walk-in, no appointment needed, open to everyone regardless of insurance or ability to pay

• Riverside (9990 County Farm Rd): (951) 509-2499

• Palm Springs (2500 N Palm Canyon Dr): (442) 268-7000

• Perris (85 Ramona Expressway): (951) 349-4195

• TakemyHand.co: Free live peer chat with people who have lived mental health experience

• What’s Up Safehouse: Text SHHELP to 844-204-0880 — free, anonymous, 24/7

• NAMI Western Riverside: namiwesternriverside.org

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If you have Medi-Cal:

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1. Contact Inland Empire Behavioral Health (IEBH) — the Medi-Cal managed care plan for mental health in San Bernardino County.

2. Call their member line or visit iebh.org to find a provider.

3. You can also call 211 to be connected to resources in your area.

 

If you have no insurance:

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• San Bernardino County Dept. of Behavioral Health: (800) 782-2899 | sbcdbh.org — sliding fee scale based on income

• 211 San Bernardino: Dial 2-1-1 for free/low-cost mental health and social services

• NAMI San Bernardino: namisbc.org — support groups, education, and advocacy

• Victor Community Support Services: Sliding scale therapy across the Inland Empire

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Questions to Ask Any Provider Before Your First Appointment

 

These are the questions I wish someone had told me to ask upfront:

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• Do you accept my insurance / Medi-Cal?: 

• What will I owe per session before my deductible is met?: 

• When does my deductible reset?: 

• Do you offer a sliding scale fee if I can’t afford the full rate?: 

• Do you offer telehealth / virtual sessions?: 

• What is your cancellation policy?: 

• How often would you recommend we meet?: ​

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If Cost Is a Barrier Right Now

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• Ask your therapist about biweekly sessions: many providers will work with you on frequency

• Sliding scale therapy: Open Path Collective (openpathcollective.org) offers sessions for $30–$80 for those who qualify

• Community mental health centers: often have low or no-cost services regardless of insurance

• Peer support groups through NAMI: free and available in English and Spanish

• Crisis lines and warm lines: always free — not just for emergencies, also for the days you just need to talk to someone

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A note before you go, please read:

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I put this guide together as someone who has personally navigated this system, not as a medical or legal professional. I am not a therapist, a doctor, an attorney, or an insurance expert. Everything in this guide comes from my own experience and research, and it is meant to be a starting point, not the final word. Please do your own research, confirm details directly with each resource, and consult a licensed professional for anything specific to your situation. I am not responsible for outdated information, eligibility requirements that may have changed, or outcomes from using any of these resources. This guide is offered as an aid, not a guarantee.

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I know firsthand how hard it is to research anything when you're in the depths of it. When you're struggling, the last thing you have the energy for is digging through hotlines, websites, and eligibility requirements. So if this guide saves you even one of those steps, that's the whole point of it existing.

This is also a living document. I will keep updating it as I learn more, find better resources, or hear from people about what worked and what didn't. If you have a resource to add or a correction to make, I want to hear it.

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I hope this helps. I really do.

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This guide was put together with love by Educated Chola. It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please reach out to a crisis line or go to your nearest emergency room.

Resources and contact information are subject to change. If you find a broken link or outdated number, feel free to reach out so we can update it.

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Quick Reference Table

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