Understanding County Behavioral Health

Too often, people living with serious mental illness and substance use disorder struggle to access the care they need. That’s why California has a safety net that coordinates across many different systems.

At the center of this safety net is county behavioral health — which operates as an insurance plan, a service provider, and a part of county government all at once — delivering critical care to people in need, helping them find stability and improve their well-being.

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) oversees and partners with county behavioral health, ensuring alignment with state and federal policies. This nine-minute video, sponsored by DHCS, helps explain the most critical aspects of the public behavioral health in California, including:

• Who is served
• Services provided
• The deeply committed workforce
• Funding

Across the state, county behavioral health meets people where they are and maintains its dedication to doing whatever it takes to strengthen the safety net — improving access, support, and outcomes for the people who need it most.