Prevention & Outreach
The Behavioral Health Department has fully re-opened all of our locations for in person and walk-in care. We welcome the community back to our clinics, and we look forward to continuing to move towards fully available, safe, and accessible programs either in-person, or by telehealth. At this time, masks, distancing, and screening for COVID-19 will continue to be required at all of our facilities, even for people who have been fully vaccinated.
As a healthcare provider with vulnerable patients, we're continuing these requirements in alignment with recommendations from public health authorities. Our top priority is the safety of our patients, visitors, employees, and community. We will continue to provide updates about Behavioral Health programs and facilities and post the latest information on our COVID-19 page.
If you are in crisis, please call the Central Coast Hotline at (800) 783-0607. You may also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HELLO to ‘741-741’.
If you need to begin Behavioral Health services, please call the access line at (800) 838-1381.
Visit www.ReadySLO.org for the latest public health updates and recommendations or call the SLO Public Health information line at (805) 788-2903.
The Prevention & Outreach Division of the Behavioral Health Department combines universal, selective, and indicated prevention, and early intervention strategies, along with targeted outreach and treatment for difficult-to-serve, and underserved populations. Several of the programs within the Division are part of the County's Mental Health Services Act plan.
Prevention & Outreach Mission Statement and Program Standards
San Luis Obispo County’s Behavioral Health Prevention and Outreach services provide a framework for collaborative county-wide prevention of substance abuse and its related problems, and the promotion of mental wellness and health.
The mission is achieved by engaging individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities to promote safe and healthy environments through the following strategies:
- Information dissemination and media advocacy
- Education and skill building
- Alternative activities
- Problem identification, referral, and clinical care
- Community based processes
- Environmental and policy development
- Increased access to care
- Consumer and family driven services
Services
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Cannabis comes with important health and safety considerations, specifically for young people, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and people with other health conditions. It’s important for everyone to get the facts. Keep reading for FAQs and science-based resources for more information.
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A new program funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to increase on-campus exposure to mental health and wellness promotion through training and activities at both Cal Poly and Cuesta College.
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Local Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds support community counseling providers who offer low or no cost, brief, low-intensity group and individual counseling to adults, who are uninsured or under-insured.
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This program, funded by the County's Mental Health Services Act work plan, was developed to serve adolescents and young adults (age 15-21) experiencing significant mental health and substance-related problems at the same time.
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The “Not for Ourselves Alone” Customer Awareness Response Effort (CARE) Innovation Program funded by Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds, provides trauma-informed care training across public agencies and programs in the County of San Luis Obispo. The training program offers knowledge, principles and tools to better help customer-service facing staff serve community members experiencing trauma, chronic stress, or mental illness.
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This federal grant is aimed at providing Cal Poly and Cuesta College campuses and their surrounding communities with prevention strategies to address underage drinking – specifically for youth transitioning from high school to college - and reduce prescription drug misuse and abuse.
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Program Update
Updated March 19, 2020 at 1:00pm
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the cancellation or postponement of all events and gatherings of 50 or more people over the next eight weeks. As a result, the County of SLO Behavioral Health Department is postponing all in-person trainings and events. This includes all SLO County Friday Night Live programming, including chapter meetings, events, and Board meetings. Thank you for your understanding at this time!
Please visit our website for updates, activities you can do indoors, and tips for managing stress and anxiety: https://www.slofnl.com/covid-19 and connect with us on our social media pages at slo.fnl on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates, resources, and activities.
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Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
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The Middle School Comprehensive project is an integrated collaboration between the Behavioral Health Department, schools, and community based organizations. This program aims to promote emotional wellness and identify students that may be in need of helping services.
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With the support of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding, Wilshire Community Service, Inc. provides multi-level services for seniors at risk for mental illness.
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With the support of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding, the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO) provides side by side facilitation of a Pre-K life skills curricula and behavior assessment tools for private daycares and preschools throughout the county.
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The County formed the SLO Opioid Safety Coalition in January 2016 to address the local epidemic of opioid (painkiller medication and heroin) misuse with grant funding from the California HealthCare Foundation. The Department received one of 12 grants from the California HealthCare Foundation to help address the opioid epidemic locally.
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With the support of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding, the Center for Family Strengthening provides coordination of parenting resources, parent education classes, and parent coaching services.
This includes provision of bilingual and bicultural parenting classes.
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This Federally funded grant program is aimed at providing local college campuses with early intervention resources to address students at risk of or experiencing First Episode Psychosis (FEP).
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Funded through local Preventive Health Grants, these programs provide outreach to youth and families in the rural regions of the county and focus on Latino students and families.
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The Behavioral Health Department's Prevention and Outreach division provides student support counseling services at schools throughout the County. Referrals into the program are made directly through the school. See the list of participating schools below for more information.
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With the support of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding, Cuesta College provides high risk transitional aged youth (TAY) with supportive life-skill services intended to facilitate self-sufficiency and independent living - critical to successful early adulthood.
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Transitions Mental Health Association (TMHA) provides advocates to link people referred from PEI projects in need of social supports and basic needs
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The Behavioral Health Department's Veterans Mental Health Therapist provides individual and group therapy services for veterans and their family members. The therapist is housed at the Veterans Service Office in San Luis Obispo, a culturally competent environment for veterans and their families to seek support and engage in behavioral health services, and also offers services to participants of Veterans Treatment Court.
Services may include:
- Screening, Assessment and Treatment Recommendations
- Treatment Planning
- Individual and Group Psychotherapy
- Access to Psychiatry and Medication services
- Resource and referral to Veterans benefits services
Please call (805) 748-2403 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
The Veterans Treatment Program is part of the Mental Health Services Act plan, and provided by the Behavioral Health Department. For more information on Veterans services and benefits, please visit the County's Veterans Services Office page.
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A full array of outpatient treatment services, including those that require family involvement, such as group counseling, family counseling, multi-family groups, and individual youth counseling for adolescents with substance use disorders (SUD).
Services include:
- Case Management
- Drug Testing
- Psychotherapy
- Screening and Assessment
- Treatment Planning
- Walk-In Clinics (see this page for locations and times)
Other programs include:
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Please contact our access line at 1 (800) 838-1381 for information or to schedule an appointment. All services are available in Spanish.