Adult and older adult behavioral health specialty services in Santa Clara County

A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.

UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.

What to know

Why it may fit: Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
What to do next: County care for mental health or substance use needs, for adults and adults 60 and older. Call the county Call Center any time. They screen you and connect you to care.
Who runs it: County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services

What the program may consider

You live in Santa Clara County
You would like behavioral-health support
County intake determines service and urgency

How to get it

County care for mental health or substance use needs, for adults and adults 60 and older. Call the county Call Center any time. They screen you and connect you to care.

Before you start

Having this helps Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal. With Medi-Cal or Medicare, county care is free or low cost. Without insurance, only some services are offered.

How to apply

Phone988 crisis line: 988Call or text 988 any time if you are in a mental health or drug or alcohol crisis.
PhoneSanta Clara County Behavioral Health Call Center: 1-800-704-0900Press 1. Open 24 hours, every day. Help in every language spoken in the county. From a 408, 650 or 669 number, 988 also works. Press 4 for a peer navigator on weekdays.

Getting help

Someone can refer you, with your permission

You can call for yourself. A family member, your doctor or your health plan can also refer you, usually with your OK. There is no application to sign.

What happens after you apply

Call the Behavioral Health Call Center at 1-800-704-0900 and press 1. It is open 24 hours, every day. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for help.
The countyA helper can help with this
A trained counselor asks questions to understand your needs. Then they connect you to a county program or a community group that works with the county.
The countyA helper can help with this
A counselor meets with you to learn about your needs. For drug or alcohol care, the call center books this visit. You can get some care while this happens.
The countyOnly you can do thisThe first visit must be offered within 10 business days. If it is urgent, within 48 hours.
If the county says no, or delays or cuts care, it must send you a letter. You have 60 days to appeal. The Call Center can help you file.
Only if care is denied, delayed or cut
The county
You and your provider agree on care, like counseling, medicine or help arranging services. Many providers work with older adults. Then treatment starts.
The program or providerOnly you can do this

What only you can do

Answer the screening questions and go to your assessment.
Go to your treatment visits.
Keep your Medi-Cal active if you have it.

How long it takes: The county must offer a first visit within 10 business days of your request. If it is urgent, within 48 hours.
You are enrolled when: You are in care when a county clinic or provider opens your case. You must also have had your first treatment visit.
To keep it: Keep going to visits and keep your Medi-Cal active. If the county denies, delays, cuts or stops a service, you get a letter. You have 60 days from that letter to appeal. After the appeal, you have 120 days to ask for a state hearing.

Coming changes

Starting January 1, 2027: By January 1, 2027, counties must join two Medi-Cal programs into one. One is for mental health. The other is for drug and alcohol care.