Behavioral Health Care

Behavioral health includes mental health and behavioral issues as well as issues with substance use. Taking care of your behavioral health is an important part of your overall health and wellness. 

Some examples of behavioral health concerns are:   

• Anger.
• Anxiety, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention-deficit disorder (ADD).
• Depression.
• Difficulty coping with life changes, frustration and stress.
• Drug or alcohol use.
• Over exercise and eating disorders.
• Grief and loss.
• Stress.
• Childhood traumas and other traumas.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

If you are dealing with any of these, you are not alone. Many people need support for these challenges at some point in their lives. Alliance staff can refer you to resources to help. Your primary care provider may also refer you to Carelon Behavioral Health, the company that manages Alliance behavioral health services, or to services provided by your county.  

If you or a family member is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988. For more information on this service, visit the website for 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

If you are having a health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. 

The Alliance can help children, teens and adults improve their quality of life by connecting them with a supportive behavioral health professional who can help through:  

• Individual, family or group therapy.
• Visits with a psychiatrist.
• Psychological testing.
• Treatment of mental health and developmental disorders. 
• Emotional support during and after pregnancy through the child’s first year of life.

Alliance Medi-Cal members can get a mental health care referral through our partner, Carelon Behavioral Health, who will help you:

• Understand your mental health benefits.
• Find mental health providers in your area.
• Make an appointment.

Additional services for more intensive mental health care and a range of substance use services are available through your county behavioral health department.  

We know figuring out where you should go can be hard. If you’re feeling unsure, call Carelon at 855-765-9700 to figure out what will be best for you and your family.

Mental Health

Call Carelon Behavioral Health's toll-free access line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 855-765-9700.

Carelon can give you information about behavioral health providers near you who are accepting new patients and can help you schedule an appointment if you want. For more information, visit the Carelon Behavioral Health website.

If you are having a hard time getting connected to Carelon, let the Alliance know. We want to help you get the care you need. You can email [email protected].

If you are not happy with your health care, you can file a grievance. You can also call our Member Services team.

Substance Use Disorders Services and Other County Resources

For substance use disorder services and other support, you can contact your county’s behavioral health department directly:  

If you or a family member is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988. For more information on this service, visit the website for 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

If you are having a health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. 

The Alliance offers self-management tools to help you and your family learn about different health topics.

Depression
The tool below can help you identify symptoms of depression.

• Mental Health America Depression Test

Managing Stress
Learn about how stress affects you, how to reduce stress and how to get help.

• NAMI Managing Stress page

Avoiding At-Risk Drinking
Use this tool to check your drinking habits and make a plan to drink less.

• Check Your Drinking

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Call 988.
• www.988lifeline.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Education and information about mental illness to help individuals and families find local support and resources.

• NAMI helpline: 800-950-6264
• NAMI website: www.nami.org
• Local websites for counties with available chapters:
  • Merced
  • Monterey
  • Santa Cruz

211

211 is a free community resource to help people find support and critical need services. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Phone: 211

Emotional Well-Being Support

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• Vibrant Emotional Health’s Safe Space website.
• California HOPE (CalHOPE): For communities impacted by a national disaster.
  • 833-317-HOPE (4673)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Get support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Phone: 799-SAFE (7233)
  • TTY: 800-787-3224
• California Youth Crisis Line: For youths (ages 12-24) and families in crisis. Call or text 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • 800-843-5200
• National Disaster Distress Helpline: For those impacted by natural or human-caused disasters. 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Phone: 800-985-5990
  • Text: TalkWithUs to 66746
• The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): Individuals and families affected by eating disorders can access tools and resources on their website.
  • Additionally, NEDA offers toolkits for parents, educators and anyone wanting to learn more about how to support a loved one affected by an eating disorder.