Mental Health Supports

In February 2024, the California Department of Health Care Services released an application for local educational agencies (LEAs) to participate in the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) statewide multi-payer school-linked fee schedule and statewide provider network. CYBHI supports a more coordinated, youth-centered, equitable, prevention-oriented, and accessible system, one in which young people can find the support they need when, where, and in the way they need it most.

The statewide multi-payer school-linked fee schedule is a new way to fund school-based behavioral health services for children and youth in California. It establishes a specific set of behavioral health services and rates at which Medi-Cal and commercial insurance plans are required to reimburse LEAs, public institutions of higher education, and other school-affiliated providers.

Approximately $19 million in grant funding will be allocated to 94 San Diego County LEAs to build capacity to eventually participate in the CYBHI statewide multi-payer school-linked fee schedule.

For More Information

See the Essential Program Components for detailed information on the CYBHI Multi-Payer School Linked Fee Schedule and the School-Linked Partnership and Capacity Grant.

Use this link to view the multi-payer fee schedule for rates and codes.

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AB 748 requires each school site serving students in grades 6 to 12, inclusive, to create a poster that identifies approaches and shares resources regarding student mental health.

The poster must be prominently and conspicuously displayed in appropriate public areas that are accessible to, and commonly frequented by, students at each school site.

SDCOE partnered with young people in the county to create three template posters that districts can use as an option.

• 988 (24/7)

TDD/TTY Dial 711-988

If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor who can help. Available in multiple languages.

• Crisis Text Line "HOME" to 741741 (24/7)

Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, by providing access to free support.

• San Diego Access and Crisis Line 888-724-7240 (24/7)

TDD/TTY Dial 711

Call or Live chat if you or someone you care about is experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis and needs immediate help. Trained and experienced counselors are available. The call is free and confidential.  Available in multiple languages.

• The California Peer-Run Warm Line 855-845-7415

This is a free, non-emergency resource available to anyone in need of emotional support in the state of CA. Support is available via phone, texting or through an online chat.

Additional Resources

• Brain XP is dedicated to ending the stigma toward other teenagers who suffer from mental health issues. Brain XP also has positive daily social media content: Brain XP Blog and Brain XP Instagram (@brainxpproject). All of our content is created by teens for other teens, and all of our resources can be accessed online.
• Help A Friend In Need (PDF)
• Mental Health Thrival Kit (PDF)
• NAMI Child and Adolescent Action Center
• Seize the Awkward

• Alliance for Healthier Generation
• Back to School - Mental Health America
• Helpguide.org
• Mental Health Tips During the Holidays (PDF)
• The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement

County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Services, Children, Youth and Families:

• How to Access Behavioral Health Services for Youth in San Diego County (PDF)
• SchooLink Service Structure (County-Funded Behavioral Health Services) (PDF)
• San Diego County, Behavioral Health Services, Regional Schools and Providers

Mental Health Webinars

2024

• Non-Suicidal Self Injury (recording)

2023

• Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Today (Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Todayrecording / Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Today slides)
• Forming Stronger Relationships with Students and the School Community (Forming Stronger Relationships with Students and the School Community recording / Forming Stronger Relationships with Students and the School Community slides)
• Mental Health Webinar Series- Managing Anxiety in the School Setting (recording)
• The Real Deal: Connection Between Vaping, Cannabis Use, and Mental Health (The Real Deal: Connection Between Vaping, Cannabis Use, and Mental Health recording / The Real Deal: Connection Between Vaping, Cannabis Use, and Mental Health slides)
• What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders (What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders recording / What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders slides)

2022

• Effective Stress Reduction Strategies to Help Prevent and Manage Burnout (Effective Stress Reduction Strategies to Help Prevent and Manage Burnout recording / Effective Stress Reduction Strategies to Help Prevent and Manage Burnout slides)
• Cultivating Connection: Stepping Stones for Building Healthy Relationships and Trust in the Classroom (Cultivating Connection recording / Cultivating Connection slides)
• Fostering Student Success: Helping Students Manage Stress and Anxiety (Fostering Student Success recording /Fostering Student Success slides)
• Creating an Inclusive Environment for All (Creating an Inclusive Environment for All recording / Creating an Inclusive Environment for All slides)
• A Deeper Look at Depression (A Deeper Look at Depression recording / A Deeper Look at Depression slides)

National Parent Helpline

Call the National Parent Helpline: 1-855-4A PARENT (1-855-427-2736) to get emotional support from a trained Advocate and become empowered and a stronger parent. They are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

SDCOE Caregiver Wellness offers information on recognizing signs of stress, engaging in joyful activities, taking a self-compassion break, and creating a web of support.

2025 Supporting our youth Mental Health Series for Parents / Caregivers

Parents, guardians, and caregivers can learn about tips, tools, and strategies to support their children with common mental health challenges through a free webinar series hosted by the San Diego County Office of Education and medical and mental health experts with the Transforming Mental Health Initiative at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego.

This series will provide information on the most common mental health challenges faced by youth today, including bullying, understanding self-harm, and stress and resilience.

All sessions run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by an optional, 15-minute question and answer session with the presenter. Registration is required to receive the webinar link. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Scheduled Webinars

Jan. 15

Building Belonging: Turning the Tide on Bullying

Hilary Bowers, MD, FAAP

Bullying, in-person and online, can erode a youth's sense of self-worth and belonging. Join Hilary Bowers, MD, FAAP, to explore the impact and signs of bullying. Learn tools to foster connection and create inclusive spaces where children feel valued and supported whether at home or in the broader community.

Register Now

Feb. 19

Hope and Healing: Understanding Self-Harm and Supporting Youth

Jason Schweitzer, MD 

Youth may turn to self-harm as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions. Join Jason Schweitzer, MD to explore the underlying factors, recognize warning signs, and discover strategies to reduce self-harm and foster healing and connection with youth at home.

Register Now

March 19

Stress, Resilience, and the Power of Support

Katherine Nguyen-Williams, PhD

Youth can feel overwhelmed by stress from school, relationships, and world events, but resilience built through Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and the power of hope can help ease these challenges. Join Katherine Nguyen-Williams, PhD, as she emphasizes the vital role of caregiver support in reducing distress and enhancing well-being.

Register Now

2024 Mental Health Webinar Series for Parents / Caregivers

2023 Mental Health Webinar Series for Parents / Caregivers

• What You Need To Know About Eating Disorders (What You Need To Know About Eating Disorders recording /What You Need To Know About Eating Disorders slides)
• The Real Deal: Connection Between Vaping, Cannabis Use, and Mental Health (The Real Deal recording / The Real Deal slides)
• Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Today (Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Today recording / Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Today slides)

​Senate Bill (SB) 98 is an education omnibus trailer bill to the 2020 Budget Act which was signed into law on June 29, 2020. SB 98 adds Education Code section 43509 and one of several provisions contained in SB 98 requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to adopt a learning continuity and attendance plan that addresses each school within the LEA. This plan, among other things, must include the following:

• A description of how the LEA will monitor and support the mental health and social and emotional well-being of pupils and staff during the school year.
• The description may include any professional development and resources that will be provided to pupils and staff to address trauma and other impacts of COVID-19 on the school community.

Mental Health and Wellness Resources for Staff

• Toolkit for School Systems to Advance Comprehensive School Employee Wellness
• Wellness Tools
• Workplace Mental Health and Wellness

View a variety of mental health resources — created by San Diego County teens for teens — and information on youth-led mental health coalitions.

Coping with Anxiety

Teen-created mental health card

High school students created a pocket card for peers that includes a grounding strategy and mental health resources.

Download Anxiety Card