Mental Health Crisis
If you or someone you know may have a mental health crisis or mental health emergency call 530-265-5811 or 888-801-1437, 24 hours a day.

Crisis Team

The Crisis Team provides 24 hour services to any individual adult or child in the community in a mental health or emotional crisis. These services include phone or in-person counseling, as well as evaluation and support in the Emergency Room of Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley or Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee.

Our Crisis Services

• Phone counseling for individuals in a mental health crisis or urgent situation
• In person assessment for individuals during a mental health crisis at the local emergency room
• Admittance to Psychiatric Inpatient Services under Welfare and Institutions Code 5150
• After hours referrals for mental health services and other county services

Crisis services are contracted with the Sierra Mental Wellness Group.

Inpatient Hospitalization

The Crisis Team may also assist adults or children to access inpatient psychiatric services under Welfare and Institution Code 5150. These individuals are an immediate danger to themselves or others, or gravely disabled (e.g. unable to access or utilize food, clothing or shelter due to a mental illness). The County contracts with a number of hospitals which are outside of Nevada County to provide this service. The Nevada County Crisis Team authorizes the services, arranges transportation and coordinates the admission. Contract hospitals: El Dorado County PHF, Heritage Oaks, North Valley Behavioral Health PHF, Sierra Vista Hospital, St Helena Hospital Napa, St. Helena Center for Behavioral Health, Sutter-Yuba Mental Health Services PHF, Sutter Center for Psychiatry, and Woodland Memorial Hospital.

Our services are available to all Nevada County residents. Any person in crisis will be seen and evaluated regardless of insurance or eligibility. The Mental Health Information Intake and Referral unit is also available during business hours for mental health services and to provide referrals for other services.

 Nevada County Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)

The Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) is a 23 hour program that provides emergency psychiatric care in a warm, welcoming environment for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. The Crisis Stabilization Unit is located to the left of the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Emergency entrance and is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. After hours, all evaluations occur in the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Emergency Department.

The four bed Crisis Stabilization Unit provides more in-depth treatment to individuals while behavioral health crisis workers determine if they need to be transferred to a psychiatric hospital or can respond to outpatient services.

The Crisis Stabilization Unit is a collaborative project with Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Sierra Mental Wellness Group, and Nevada County Behavioral Health. The project was made possible by funding from Senate Bill 82- The investment in Mental Health Wellness Act and the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA).

Mobile Crisis Team

The Mobile Crisis Team is a pilot partnership with Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada County Behavioral Health, and Sierra Mental Wellness Group. The Mobile Crisis Team is staffed Monday through Thursday by one deputy sheriff and one therapist who are partnered to respond to calls related to mental health, substance abuse, or homelessness to de-escalate critical incidents and ultimately reduce rates of arrest and incarceration.  This team will coordinate referrals to services as appropriate, including the Crisis Stabilization Unit at the hospital, HOME Team, and Nevada County Behavioral Health. Calls are routed through the Sheriff’s dispatch through calls to 9-1-1 or calls to the non-emergency Sheriff’s line at (530) 265-7880.