FAQs • Tuolumne County, CA • CivicEngage

What happens when someone is in crisis or needs to be evaluated for hospitalization for mental health reasons?: Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency should call the Behavioral Health crisis line 209-533-7000 or 1-800-630-1130 and speak with a crisis worker. The person in crisis may be asked to come to Behavioral Health for assessment, as many crisis situations can be deescalated or averted without the need for hospitalization. In some situations, people will be transported to or advised to go to the Sonora Regional Medical Center Emergency Room. There, an assessment will be done of the person’s physical and mental health and the presenting problem will be addressed.
If the person needs to be hospitalized for mental health reasons, they will be sent to an appropriate psychiatric facility somewhere in California, usually within a few hours from Tuolumne County, for a 72 hour hold (often called a “5150”). During this time, the person is evaluated by a psychiatrist and provided treatment if appropriate; case managers keep in contact with the facility during this time to develop an after-care plan for the person. Whether or not a person is hospitalized for their condition, follow-up resources and after care plans help to get the person to the care they need.

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Behavioral Health

1. Would you like to know who we are?: Behavioral Health Organizational Chart

2. How can I get help with mental health or alcohol and drug issues?: If you or the person you are helping is in crisis, call 209-533-7000, or toll free 800-630-1130; call 911 if it is a serious emergency.
For all other urgent or routine mental health or drug and alcohol issues, call (209)533-6245 to make an appointment or walk in to 105 Hospital Road, Sonora, Monday through Friday, 8am – 5 pm. After filling out essential paperwork, the person will receive an initial assessment to determine what sort of services are needed and available.

3. What happens when someone is in crisis or needs to be evaluated for hospitalization for mental health reasons?: Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency should call the Behavioral Health crisis line 209-533-7000 or 1-800-630-1130 and speak with a crisis worker. The person in crisis may be asked to come to Behavioral Health for assessment, as many crisis situations can be deescalated or averted without the need for hospitalization. In some situations, people will be transported to or advised to go to the Sonora Regional Medical Center Emergency Room. There, an assessment will be done of the person’s physical and mental health and the presenting problem will be addressed.
If the person needs to be hospitalized for mental health reasons, they will be sent to an appropriate psychiatric facility somewhere in California, usually within a few hours from Tuolumne County, for a 72 hour hold (often called a “5150”). During this time, the person is evaluated by a psychiatrist and provided treatment if appropriate; case managers keep in contact with the facility during this time to develop an after-care plan for the person. Whether or not a person is hospitalized for their condition, follow-up resources and after care plans help to get the person to the care they need.

4. Can I get medications for my mental health issues prescribed and/or refilled at Behavioral Health?: If you are a current client, you may call the Medication Services Refills/Requests line 209-533-6227. Please allow 3 days for processing, and be sure to call before your medications run out.
If you are not a current client, we strongly encourage you to follow-up with your previous psychiatrist or physical health care doctor if possible. Psychiatric medications are prescribed through Behavioral Health, but the referral process may take a few weeks, especially for new clients just entering into services.

5. What kind of insurance does Behavioral Health accept?: For crisis events, anyone treated by Behavioral Health should complete financial paperwork to ensure insurances are billed and a sliding scale is applied to balances if applicable. For all other services, Behavioral Health is a designated Medi-Cal facility and accepts regular Medi-Cal insurance if the person’s needs meet medical necessity. Some services are available by private pay.

6. . Is there anywhere in Tuolumne County where a person can “check themselves in to the third floor,” or where they can be held for observation for the 72 hour “5150” hospitalization?: No, there is no local facility for inpatient psychiatric crisis treatment. Many years ago there was a unit within the County hospital, but it has been closed for some time. Currently all people being hospitalized for psychiatric reasons will be sent to facilities in neighboring counties.