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Monterey County staff highlight local mental health resources during Mental Health Awareness Month
Summary
Behavioral Health Bureau staff detailed local access points and community partners during a May 13 Monterey County news briefing, urging early help-seeking and listing crisis and specialty hotlines for youth, LGBTQ+ people and families.
Monterey County Behavioral Health Bureau staff presented a rundown of local mental health resources during a May 13 news briefing, urging residents to seek help early and outlining how to connect with county and partner services.
Kelly Moulton, a staff member with the county's behavioral health team, said the goal of the briefing was education and access: "Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness," she said, and stressed that services are available regardless of immigration status or income.
Moulton described how the local system is structured: state prevention services expanded after Proposition 1, managed-care plans such as the Central California Alliance for Health handle mild-to-moderate needs, and Monterey County Behavioral Health serves people with severe, long-term needs and crisis care. She cited a national prevalence figure, saying roughly "1 in 5 adults" experience a mental health condition each year.
The county offers a 24/7 access line for behavioral health appointments and referrals; Moulton gave the county access line as +1 (888) 258-6029 and noted managed-care members can call their plan's member services (the briefing listed 807-3874) for provider lists. Moulton also highlighted partner resources: Seneca (youth specialty services), the 988 Lifeline, Rainbow Connections for LGBTQ+ supports, and NAMI Monterey, which she said offers groups in English and Spanish (NAMI Monterey: (831) 422-6264; info@namimonterey.org).
Dr. Liz Perez Cordero, who presented portions of the briefing, said recent legislative and policy changes plus community destigmatization have expanded access and made it easier for people to talk about mental health. The moderator noted the county's behavioral health services reach about 13,000 people, a figure cited to illustrate local demand for outreach and services.
The briefing emphasized early intervention, culturally and linguistically accessible supports, and multiple routes to care (county clinics, managed care and commercial plans). For nonemergency crisis support the briefing pointed viewers to 988 and local mobile crisis options; for direct county access callers were directed to the phone numbers above.
The briefing closed with an invitation for residents to use listed hotlines and partner groups and to follow up with the county for additional assistance.
