You Deserve to Feel Better: Mental & Behavioral Health Care
Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. As an SFHP Medi-Cal member, you can get care for stress, sadness, anxiety, substance use, and other challenges. Talking with a trained expert can help you feel better and stay healthy.
Get Help from a Mental Health Expert with Carelon
If you are struggling with your emotions or behaviors, talk to your primary care provider (PCP)*. They can help you get the right care. Check your SFHP Member ID Card to find your PCP’s phone number.
SFHP works with Carelon Behavioral Health (Carelon) to provide mild to moderate outpatient mental health care, like:
- Individual and group mental health testing and treatment (psychotherapy). This can include counseling from a therapist. You may be able to get this care at your primary care clinic.
- Testing for mental health issues
- Outpatient care like lab work, drugs, and supplies
- Psychiatry testing for medications
- Mental health care for your whole family (dyadic services)
You do not need a referral to get mental health care. Want to learn more or make an appointment? Call Carelon at 1(855) 371-8117 or visit carelonbehavioralhealth.com.
*Your PCP is your personal doctor if you need a check-up, want advice about a health problem, or get sick or hurt.
Find Alcohol & Substance Use Treatment in SF
You can get help if you have a problem with drugs or alcohol.
You do not need a referral to get care from San Francisco Behavioral Health Services (BHS). Call the 24/7 San Francisco Access Line at 1(415) 255-3737 or 1(888) 246-3333 (toll free). If you are hearing-impaired, call 1(888) 484-7200 (TTY).
Your PCP may screen you for alcohol or drug use. They can offer quick counseling to help you if you have a problem. They can also refer you to San Francisco BHS for more alcohol and drug use treatment.
Behavioral Health Treatment for Medi-Cal Members Under Age 21
SFHP members under age 21 can get Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT) services. BHT includes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other services.
For children with autism and other behavior issues, ABA therapy can help with communication, social skills, recall, and attention. ABA providers work with families to help their children. A doctor must write a referral for BHT or ABA care.
A member may qualify for Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT) if they:
- Under 21 years of age
- Have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or other behavioral issues
- Have behaviors that make home or social life hard. Some examples are anger, violence, self-harm, running away, problems playing or communicating.
Talk to your child’s doctor about ABA therapy for autism and other behavioral issues. You may also call Carelon at 1(855) 371-8117 to learn more.
More Resources for Mental Health Support
Visit SF.gov to find contact information for helpful resources in San Francisco, including:
- Crisis support lines for mental health and substance use
- Urgent care centers in SF
- Naloxone and fentanyl test strips
There are also many free apps and hotlines that can help you quickly get care and talk with someone.
- Get quick, online care 24/7 with Teladoc
- For 24/7 crisis help, call or text 988 or visit 988california.org
- For families and kids ages 0-12, visit BrightLife Kids or call 1(888) 275-5357
- For teens and young adults ages 13-25, visit Soluna or call:
- 1(833) 317-4673 for English
- 1(833) 642-7696 for Spanish
To learn more, read Medi-Cal’s guide to mental and behavioral health.
If you need help or have questions, call SFHP Customer Service at