County of San Diego Crisis Stabilization Units
What is a Crisis Stabilization Unit?
Crisis Stabilization Units, or CSUs, provide emergency mental health assessment and treatment services in therapeutic settings to individuals having a psychiatric emergency for short-term stays of up to 24 hours. The goal is to stabilize the crisis or when necessary, assist the individual in accessing psychiatric hospital admission.
What is a psychiatric emergency?
- A psychiatric emergency, also known as a behavioral health
crisis or emergency, is when a person's thoughts, feelings or
behaviors may lead them to:
- Hurt themselves or others; or
- Be at risk of being unable to care for themselves or function in a healthy manner.
- A person in crisis may experience feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or a sense of a loss of control.
- These feelings may be initiated or worsened by the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or the misuse of prescription drugs.
- If you think you or someone you know could be having a psychiatric emergency, call the Access and Crisis Line at 1-888-724-7240 to speak with a licensed, behavioral health professional. Calls are answered 24/7, are confidential, and always free. Translation is available in over 200 languages.
What services are provided at a CSU?
Services are tailored to each person admitted to the CSU to ensure they receive the treatment and support they need to stabilize.
- Services are provided on a short-term basis, up to 24 hours,
and include crisis intervention, mental health assessment,
medication assistance, therapy, and peer support.
- CSUs are designed to be relaxing and quiet, with a calming
environment to support mental wellness.
Who can recieve services at a County of San Diego CSU?
The County of San Diego offers services to children and adults at
various locations countywide. County CSUs generally serve individuals
who are Medi-Cal eligible, uninsured, or very low income and who are
experiencing a psychiatric emergency. If you have any questions,
contact your primary insurer or reach out directly to any of the CSU
locations listed below.
County of San Diego Crisis Stabilization Units
Facility | Region & Neighborhood | Address & Phone |
---|---|---|
Children’s
Emergency Screening Unit Serves children and adolescents under 18 | Central, Hillcrest | 4309 Third Avenue San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 876-4502 |
North
Coastal Community-Based Crisis Stabilization Unit Serves adults 18+ | North Coastal, Vista | 550 West Vista Way, Suite 407 Vista, CA 92083 (760) 305-4848 |
North
Coastal Live Well Health Center Community-Based Crisis
Stabilization Unit Serves adults 18+ | North Coastal, Oceanside | 1701 Mission Avenue Oceanside, CA 92058 (760) 712-3535 |
Palomar
Crisis Stabilization Unit Serves adults 18+ | North Inland, Escondido | 2185 Citracado
Parkway Escondido, CA 92029 (760) 739-3012 |
San
Diego County Psychiatric Hospital Emergency Psychiatric
Unit Serves adults 18+ | North Central, Midway | 3853 Rosecrans Street San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 692-8222 |
Paradise
Valley Bayview Crisis Stabilization Unit Serves adults 18+ | South, West Chula Vista | 330 Moss
Street Chula Vista, CA 91911 (619) 585-4221 |
East Region Crisis Stabilization
Unit and Recovery Bridge Center Will serve adults 18+ | East, El Cajon | Estimated mid-2025 |
Video of Oceanside CSU
For a glimpse at one of the County's newest CSUs, check out this County News Center video on the Oceanside Crisis Stabilization Unit which opened April 2022:
Frequently Asked Questions
-
CSUs are described as responding to a “behavioral health crisis” – what
does that mean?
“Behavioral health” is a collective term which includes mental health and substance use conditions. A behavioral health crisis is when an individual is experiencing either a mental health crisis or a substance use crisis.
-
What does a behavioral health crisis look like?
Though not all-inclusive, a behavioral health crisis may be associated with the following common signs:
- Changes in mood or behaviors that cause concern
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Sudden changes to hygiene and self-care practices
- Unusual thoughts, sounds, or visions that cause fear or distress
- Sudden onset or increase of substance use
- Feeling hopeless or helpless
- Sense of loss of control over thoughts, feelings, emotions, or behaviors
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Do CSUs serve all ages?
In the County of San Diego there is one designated Emergency Screening Unit located in Hillcrest area which serves children and adolescents. All other County of San Diego CSUs serve adults ages 18 and over. Please see the table above for a list of all facilities and their populations served.
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Who works at the CSUs?
CSUs are typically staffed with behavioral health professionals, such as clinicians and psychiatrists, as well as nurses, case managers, and peer support specialists.
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What happens while I’m at the CSU?
Individuals admitted to a CSU will be assessed by staff to determine the most appropriate course of treatment – which can include medication, short-term counseling, observation, etc. An individual will stay as long as needed to stabilize but services are designed for a stay of up to 24 hours. Individuals will have an opportunity to meet with health professionals to learn more about what is causing the crisis and will be provided resources to follow up on after discharge.
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What type of service connections might I receive upon discharge from the
CSU?
Depending on the needs of the individual, the CSU staff will refer them to behavioral health services and/or primary care services to most closely align with their ongoing treatment needs.
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Is this a service for people experiencing homelessness?
CSU services are accessible to all people who are in crisis, whether housed or unsheltered, and includes connections to ongoing behavioral health care and housing services when appropriate.
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Do I need to make an appointment to go to the CSU?
You will not need to make an appointment and can be assisted just by walking in.
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What will happen after I am discharged from the CSU?
Once a person is feeling better and the immediate crisis has passed, they are linked to services that can meet their unique and ongoing needs. The goal of the CSU is to ensure clients stabilize and are linked to appropriate treatment services.
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Do CSUs serve individuals from any region?
Yes, CSUs serve anyone in need of services regardless of where they live. There is no need to go to the CSU that is in the region where you live.
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Can I bring my family member or friend to a CSU with me?
You can have a family member or friend bring you into the CSU but they will not be able to stay for the duration of the treatment.
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What are the CSU hours of operation?
CSUs are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
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Do law enforcement drop off people at CSUs?
Yes, law enforcement can drop off individuals experiencing a psychiatric crisis at the CSU.
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Is there a cost for CSU services?
Yes, however, the cost of CSU services for individuals who qualify for Medi-Cal, are uninsured, or very low income are generally covered by the County. For individuals with private insurance, in most cases the CSU will bill your insurer. Contact your private insurance provider with coverage questions.
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Who can I call to access services or support for an individual who is
experiencing homelessness but not a behavioral health crisis?
You can contact your local Homeless Outreach Team or 2-1-1.
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Does the CSU offer services in languages other than English?
Yes, language interpreter services are available.