California Introduces Toll-Free Statewide Mental Health Line Ahead Of World Mental Health Day

• The state of California introduces its first toll-free, statewide mental health line.
• This comes a few days before World Mental Health Day on October 10th.
• The goal for this is to have 24/7 service for the health line by the end of the year.

California has just introduced its very first toll-free statewide mental health line just ahead of World Mental Health Day. The service offers non-emergency emotional support and referrals to anyone who calls or messages the number. The health line will be available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. The goal is to have 24/7 service by the end of the year.

The number for the mental health line is 1-855-845-7415. World Mental Health Day is on October 10th this year, which makes this the perfect time to unveil a mental health line.

State politicians talk about the new mental health line

Assembly Budget Committee Chair Phil Ting, D-San Francisco talks about the new mental health line in place. “When addressing issues surrounding health, the conversation must also include emotional wellness. This new state resource builds on our current mental health system by serving a population that is not in crisis but still in need of support,” he says.

According to KTLA, nearly 20% of adults in the U.S. experience mental health challenges annually. This information is directly from Mental Health America.

How it was made possible

The new free service is possible by a state budget funding of nearly $11 million over three years. Ting, Gov. Gavin Newsom, State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, all pitched in to help make this mental health line a reality for California residents.

“Too many Californians are struggling with mental health and emotional well-being challenges,” Weiner says. “The California Peer-Run Warm Line is an important resource for so many people, and I’m thrilled we were able to get it funded.”

What We Can Do

According to the World Health Organization, World Mental Health Day “provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.”

Check out the video below to find out how you can play your part this World Mental Health Day.

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