Find help, understand options

This page is designed to help families find public information, forms, and local resources related to mental health crisis response, CARE Court, LPS holds, conservatorship, and community support in California.

This page does not provide legal advice. It is a resource guide to help families understand where to start and who to contact.

Immediate danger :

  • Call 911

Suicidal thoughts or mental health crisis:

  • Call 911 or 988.

  • Crisis Centers for diverse community needs

    • Crisis Warmlines (Offers emotional support staffed by peers with lived experience)

    • Crisis Hotlines (Offers help for those experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis)

    • Diverse Community needs include:

      • language translation needs

      • veterans services

      • family support

      • post-partum support

      • youth crisis

      • teen crisis

      • LGBTQ+ talkline

      • friendship support for elders living alone

      • tribal communities

      • support for law enforcement officers and families

Chronic grave disability

County contacts. Find your local:

Need to inform the hospital about medical history?

  • Learn about Form 1424 from NAMI Contra Costa

Considering probate conservatorship?

  • General information about voluntary probate conservatorships

    • Medication and housing cannot be forced unless dementia is at issue.

  • Self-help centers may be offered in your county superior court.

  • Learn about mental health conservatorships (LPS). Only a county designated agency can file.

    • Medication and housing can be forced in certain circumstances, for a limited period of time.

  • Consider alternatives to conservatorship that could help (see court self-help site)

    • Supported Decision-Making

    • Power of Attorney

    • Advanced healthcare directive

    • Representative payee (for SS or SSI)

    • Special Needs Trust or CalABLE Account

    • Guardian ad litem (GAL)

Help for people with developmental disabilities

  • General information about voluntary limited probate conservatorships for individuals are intellectural disability.

  • Regional Centers offer assistance to help individuals with developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible.

  • Acute Crisis or Danger to self/others

    • Call 911 or 988

    • Crisis intervention throughout the state.

Patient rights concerns prior to discharge?

Curious about CARE Court?

People with untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other qualifying psychotic disorders, including bipolar 1 with psychosis may be eligible for court-oversight for their treatment. Eligibility depends on the law and the court’s review.

Learn about SB 1016