Behavioral Health Wellness Campus

Connecting Behavioral Health in One Location

State and County planning have identified critical gaps in the behavioral health continuum of care, including a need for more treatment and recovery options. To help address these gaps, the County of San Diego (County) Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is developing a Behavioral Health Wellness Campus (BHWC) in the Midway District of the City of San Diego, next to the existing San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital.

The BHWC will add new treatment slots/beds and bring several mental health and substance use treatment and recovery services together in one location. This is intended to make it easier for people to get the care they need, stay connected to care, and move between different types of care as their needs change.

Planning for the BHWC is currently underway. As the project progresses, BHS will share updates and provide opportunities for community members, people with lived experience, families, providers, and other partners to learn more, ask questions, and provide input.

Planned Services

The BHWC will include five programs for adults with behavioral health needs:

  • Crisis Stabilization Unit: Short-term care and support for adults experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
  • Mental Health Rehabilitation Center: Around the clock treatment and rehabilitation for adults with complex mental health needs who require longer-term care.
  • Adult Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facility: A supportive place for adults to live while receiving substance use treatment and recovery services.
  • Social Rehabilitation Facility / Peer Respite: Short-term, non-medical support in a recovery-focused setting, including support from peers with lived experience.
  • Outpatient Community Mental Health Clinic: Mental health treatment and support for adults who can receive care while living in the community.

The BHWC will provide different types and levels of care than the neighboring San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital, which provides psychiatric emergency and inpatient hospital care. Together, the neighboring facilities will support more connected step-up and step-down care, helping people move more smoothly between hospital or emergency care and the recovery, residential, outpatient, and other services at the BHWC as their needs change.

Connecting People to the Right Care

A person's behavioral health needs may change over time. Someone may need crisis care, residential treatment, or ongoing outpatient and recovery support at different points in their care journey.

Having several services on one campus can make it easier to:

  • Move between different levels of care based on an individual’s needs
  • Stay connected to care as needs change
  • Coordinate care across programs
  • Receive care that matches a person’s unique needs

Connecting these services is also intended to help people receive care in the most appropriate setting, including alternatives to emergency departments, hospitals, and jails when appropriate. By improving care transitions and access to different levels of treatment and recovery support, the BHWC is intended to reduce unnecessary hospital stays and incarceration, reduce repeat hospital and justice-system involvement, and support long-term recovery.

Location

The BHWC will be located in the Midway District of the City of San Diego, next to the existing San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital and near the Old Town Transit Center.

The project will redevelop the site of the former Health Services Complex, which is currently in the demolition process. The planned campus is envisioned to include three buildings with a total building footprint smaller than the former complex.

Rendering of Behavioral Health Wellness Campus (Subject to adjustment during design process.)

Project Timeline

The BHWC is a multi-year project. Planning, design, community engagement, permitting, construction, and preparation for services will take place over several years. Significant milestones*:

  • May 2026 – Grant accepted
  • Fall 2026 – Procurement of Progressive Design-Build Developer
  • Throughout 2027 – Project Design & Community Input
  • Spring - Summer 2027 – Demolition of Health Services Complex
  • Spring 2028 - Permitting
  • July 2028 - December 2030 – Construction of BHWC
  • Spring 2031 – BHWC Completion and Preparation for Services
  • Summer 2031 – Grand Opening

Project updates and opportunities to participate will be shared on this webpage as the project moves forward.

*Note: Project milestones are tentative and may shift as planning and construction progress.

Community Engagement and Updates

Community input is an important part of planning for the BHWC throughout the duration of the project.

The services that will be offered at the BHWC have been identified. As part of the planning process, BHS will provide opportunities for community members, people with lived experience, families, providers, and other partners to learn more, ask questions, share perspectives, and provide input on aspects of how the campus and its services are experienced, delivered, and connected to the surrounding community.

BHS will also share project updates and information about how community feedback is being considered as planning continues.

Upcoming meetings, presentations, and other opportunities to participate will be posted on this webpage.

Have a question or want to share feedback?
E-mail Engage.BHS@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Upcoming Opportunities

No upcoming meetings are currently posted. Please check back for updates.

Construction and Development

The County's Department of General Services is leading development and construction of the BHWC. Visit the General Services project webpage to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

See below for frequently asked questions regarding the Behavioral Health Wellness Campus. For any other questions, email Engage.BHS@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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  • Who will the BHWC serve?

    The BHWC will primarily serve adults who need specialty mental health and/or substance use treatment and recovery support. How people qualify for and access care will vary by program. More information will be available before services open.

  • What parts of the project can the community provide input on?

    The services that will be offered at the BHWC have been identified. Other details about how the campus and its services will be experienced and delivered will continue to be developed. BHS will provide opportunities for community members and partners to ask questions, share perspectives, and provide input as planning moves forward.

  • How will traffic, parking, and access be considered?

    The campus is located next to the Old Town Transit Center, with access to bus, trolley, and rail services. The project will redevelop the former Health Services Complex with a campus consisting of a smaller overall building footprint. Bringing several services together in one location may reduce the need for people to travel between different locations for services. Additional information about site access, parking, and transportation will be shared as planning continues.

  • Why are several services located on one campus?

    People may need different types of care at different times. Having several services in one location can make it easier to move between programs, coordinate care, and stay connected to support as needs change. This approach is intended to strengthen community-based treatment options and help reduce unnecessary emergency department visits, hospital stays, and involvement with the justice system.

  • How does the BHWC fit with other behavioral health changes in California?

    The BHWC is part of broader State and County efforts to expand behavioral health treatment options and strengthen the continuum of care. The additional services will also help San Diego County respond to changes associated with State initiatives such as the CARE Act, Senate Bill 43, and Proposition 36.

  • How will I access services at the BHWC?

    How people access services will depend on the program. Some services may offer direct access, while others may require an assessment or referral. More information about how to get care at the BHWC will be available before services open.

  • When will the BHWC open?

    The BHWC is a multi-year project, with project completion required by June 2031 under State funding requirements. More information about when services will open will be shared as planning continues.

  • How is the BHWC being funded?

    The County received $99.5 million in State funding through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program to support development of the BHWC.

  • How can I stay informed or provide input?

    Check this webpage for project updates, community meetings, and other opportunities to participate. You can also email Engage.BHS@sdcounty.ca.gov with questions or feedback.

Need Behavioral Health Help Now?

The BHWC is currently being developed. Behavioral health services are available now. Call or text 9-8-8 or dial 1-888-724-7240 to speak to someone who can help find the right service for you or someone you care about. Both numbers are operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with support available in over 200 languages. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

For more information visit Get Help Now or All Services.

Updated 9/28/26