Local Programs and Support Centers:
Berkeley Free Clinic: Long running free clinic in Berkeley that offers peer to peer counseling.
Mental Health First Oakland: “MH First Oakland, a project of Anti Police-Terror Project, is a cutting-edge new model for non-police response to mental health crisis. The goal of MH First is to respond to mental health crises including, but not limited to, psychiatric emergencies, substance use support, and domestic violence safety planning.
MH First Oakland is available in the form of a free hotline – (510) 999-9MH1 – on Friday & Saturday nights from 8pm to 8am, when there are currently no other mental health support options available.
We lead with the principle that police should not be involved when responding to a crisis unless asked by mental health responders as a last resort. Crisis response services should support people through quality follow up and on-going care regardless of their ability to pay. Oakland will be the second city now operating this service; MH First Sacramento has been operating since January 2020.
Our purpose is to interrupt and eliminate the need for law enforcement in mental health crisis first response by providing mobile peer support, de-escalation assistance, and non-punitive and life-affirming interventions, therefore decriminalizing emotional and psychological crises and decreasing the stigma around mental health, substance use, and domestic violence, while also addressing their root causes: white supremacy, capitalism, and colonialism.”
AllCove Palo Alto: Youth mental health center offering various free programs and counseling located in Palo Alto.
Bay Area Clinical Associates: “The Berkeley clinic offers outpatient services and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP). We offer outpatient services for patients 26 and younger as well as their family. In addition, we offer several intensive outpatient programs (IOP) that run throughout the day for adolescents and young adults.” Includes individual and family therapy.
Side by Side: Providing behavioral and mental health support through a wide variety of programs in the bay area and beyond.
Call Hotlines:
Bay Area Mental Health Hotlines: List of mental health, suicide prevention, and other crisis support hotlines in the bay area.
Direct Services:
Homeless Action Center Legal Representation and Support Programs: Located in Berkeley and Oakland, the Homeless Action Center provides free legal representation and a host of other programs to help those facing homelessness and mental health challenges.
West Oakland Punks with Lunch: Offering a range of food, harm reduction, and referral services across the East Bay.
Jail Release Support Nights: “This project is a working group within Oakland Abolition & Solidarity. We offer hot food, phone calls & phone chargers, warm clothes, rides to BART, hygiene products, and more. To donate or to volunteer, contact us at [email protected].”
Find More Bay Area Resources:
Bay Area Mental Health Resources List: Massive list of a wide range of mental health related services, resources and programs in the bay area.