Accessing Mental Health Services

Berkeley Mental Health offers mental health services to adults, youth, and children who meet eligibility criteria. Read below to see if you or your child is eligible for services, how to access services, and what services are available. 

Adult mental health services

Eligible adults in Berkeley can receive voluntary mental health support from the City. After contacting us and doing an initial screening, you may be connected with one of our mental health professionals for treatment, or referred to another mental health provider. 

Eligibility

You may be eligible to receive mental health services if you are:

• A Berkeley resident or unhoused person in Berkeley
• Over 18 years old
• Diagnosed with a severe mental illness (such as Schizophrenia, severe depression, severe bipolar disorder, etc.)
• Have functional impairments (such as a limited ability to function independently or in a workplace)
• Have Medi-Cal or are eligible for Medi-Cal

Accessing services

To access adult mental health services, call or walk in to our clinic during open hours:

• Call (510) 981-5244
  • Monday–Friday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
• Visit the Adult Services Clinic
  • Monday–Thursday, 10:00 am–1:00 pm
  • 2640 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

Services offered

After an initial screening, you may be referred to an appropriate mental health resource or offered services within one of the City of Berkeley Mental Health programs listed below. Clients are assigned to a program based on their level of need. Each program offers counseling and case management services with the goal of helping people to better manage their mental health symptoms, obtain and maintain housing or other community resources, and move forward in their recovery.

• Adult Full Services Partnership: This team-based program offers a high level of support for adults with severe mental illness. The program is intended for clients who have had difficulty maintaining stability outside of institutional settings. Staff provide intensive services and make frequent contact with participants. Staff mostly provide services outside of the clinic.
• Homeless Full Services Partnership: This team-based program offers a high level of support for adults with severe mental illness who are experiencing homelessness. The program is intended for clients who have had difficulty maintaining stability outside of institutional settings. Staff provide intensive services and make frequent contact with participants. Staff mostly provide services outside of the clinic.
• Comprehensive Community Treatment: The majority of clients get treatment through this program, which offers services for adults with severe mental illness. Participants receive clinical case management services, including help with accessing services, setting goals, identifying ways to cope, and other personalized support. 
• Focus on Independence: This program serves participants who have graduated from the more intensive programs listed above and require minimal support to manage symptoms and continue to move forward in their recovery.

Accessibility, languages, and fees

• The Adult Mental Health Clinic is ADA accessible.
• Staff speak English and Spanish, can also get translation services by phone for other languages. 
• Fees are sliding scale based on income, and may be free of charge depending on insurance and income qualification.
• We accept Medi-Cal insurance.

Family, Youth, and Children’s mental health services

Eligible youth, children, and their families can receive mental health care after an initial intake appointment. Your child/family may be connected with one of our mental health professionals for treatment, or referred to a community-based resource.

Eligibility

Your child may be eligible to receive mental health services through Family, Youth, and Children’s Services if they are:

• A resident of Berkeley or attend school in Berkeley
• Under 21 years old
• Covered by Alameda County Medi-Cal insurance
• Meet Alameda County Medical Necessity for Specialty Mental Health Services

Accessing services

To access services, set up an intake appointment so staff can better understand your needs and the needs of your child. Call or walk in to our clinic during open hours to schedule an intake appointment:

• Call the Intake Supervisor at (510) 981-7642 
  • Monday–Thursday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm
• Visit the clinic
  • Monday–Thursday, 11:00 am–4:00 pm
  • 1521 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94703

Intake appointments are available Monday–Friday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm. If you are calling on behalf of a child, you must be their legal guardian to arrange treatment services.

Students at Berkeley High School and Berkeley Technology Academy can also access mental health services by dropping in at the High School Health Center, located on the BHS campus.

Services offered

Services that eligible youth and children may receive include:

• Individual and Family Therapy 
• Full-Service Partnership (WRAP Services) 
• Psycho-Educational classes 
• Group Therapy 
• Medication Support 
• Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation provided in collaboration with the YMCA

Accessibility, languages, and fees

• The Family, Youth, and Children’s Services Clinic is ADA accessible.
• Staff speak English and Spanish, can also get translation services by phone for other languages. 
• Fees are sliding scale based on income, and may be free of charge depending on insurance and income qualification.
• We accept Medi-Cal insurance.