Finding Help
Crisis Help
WHO SHOULD I CALL?
Emergency calls related to mental health or substance use crisis can now be placed to 988,
instead of 911, which connects with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Lifeline
provides support for anyone having thoughts of suicide, mental health, or substance uses crises,
or for those worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. The Marin calls will be
received by staff at the Buckellew center in Novato 24/7.
If your teen is thinking about harming themselves or attempting suicide, thinking
about harming someone else, experiencing severe emotional or behavioral
distress, feeling out of touch with reality or disoriented, feeling out of control, or
experiencing an inability to care for yourself, seek help right away.
IF YOUR TEEN IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO
THEMSELVES OR OTHERS, CALL 911 NOW!
Call your medical doctor or mental health provider
If your teen is in immediate danger to themselves or others: Call 911 NOW
If you're in an emergency and can't talk,
you can now text 911 for help in Fairfax,
San Rafael and Novato.
When you call 911 or crisis services be sure to let them know that your
child is having a mental health emergency as that may trigger them to
send someone who is trained in supporting children and youth
experiencing a mental health crisis. You may also want to ask if they
have a teen crisis team as they will be trained to intervene in similar
situations.
If you need to call 911 but are scared because of someone in the room,
dial and ask for a pepperoni pizza. They will ask if you know you're
calling 911. Say yes, and continue pretending you're making an order.
They'll ask if there's someone in the room. You can ask how long it will
take for the pizza to get to you, and they will tell you how far away a
patrol unit is. Dispatchers are trained in this, don't hang up!
Otherwise, try to give the person you talk to as many details as you
can about what specifically is happening and any other background
information you feel may be important.
Following are helpful guidelines to effectively communicate with 911
dispatch based on the situation of the call:
Marin General Hospital
250 Bon Air Road
Greenbrae, CA 94904
415-925-7200
250 Bon Air Road
Greenbrae, CA 94904
415-925-7200
Novato Community Hospital Emergency Room
180 Rowland Way
Novato, CA 94945
415-209-1350
180 Rowland Way
Novato, CA 94945
415-209-1350
Kaiser Medical Center Emergency Room
Address: 99 Montecillo Road
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-444-2400
Address: 99 Montecillo Road
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-444-2400
Available 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Available 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
415-473-6666
250 Bon Air Road, Greenbrae, CA 94904
(located within Marin General Hospital)
Available 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
415-473-6666
250 Bon Air Road, Greenbrae, CA 94904
(located within Marin General Hospital)
CSU provides services to Marin County residents and visitors experiencing a mental health crisis, such as
suicidal depression or psychotic behavior.
Marin County Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) serves children, teenagers, young adults, adults, and older
adults, regardless of financial status or whether or not they are insured.
CSU services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Length of stay is limited to less than 24 hours.
- Provides psychiatric assessments, referrals, recommendations and consultation on behalf of individuals who arrive on an involuntary basis (Pursuant: California Welfare and Institutions Code 5150), and for those who come to CSU voluntarily. Typically clients are experiencing a mental or emotional crisis; in that they may be deemed a danger to themselves or to others, or they may appear incapable of caring for their basic needs.
- Provides crisis stabilization; i.e., individualized interventions directed toward resolution of the presenting, psychiatric episode.
- Provides evaluations of clients for whom inpatient psychiatric hospitalization appears indicated. Admissions for inpatient, psychiatric hospitalization are arranged as necessary.
- Some clients may be referred to Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) or to work with Community Action Marin through the use of a Family Partner to address drug and/or alcohol use issues.
- The role of the Family Partner is to support the family (through the crisis) as an advocate and link them to community resources.
- Provides referrals to other county and community-based agencies and services.
Referrals to CSU are received from families and individuals, from all County of Marin departments, our
thirteen, local law enforcement agencies, community health providers and agencies, and from facilities
and agencies throughout Northern California.
Mobile Crisis Unit 415-473-6392
Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 9:00 pm, Sat 1:00 - 9:00 pm
Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 9:00 pm, Sat 1:00 - 9:00 pm
The mobile crisis unit is comprised of a licensed mental health practitioner and a peer provider who can
provide mental health services primarily in people's homes. If you feel you cannot safely transport your
teen to get help, the mobile crisis team can come to where you are and provide mental health
engagement and intervention to help overcome resistance to treatment.
Depending on what your teen is willing to accept, the team may offer a range of services, including
assessment, crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and referrals to mental health services. If
necessary, they may transport to a psychiatric emergency room for treatment.
Text BAY to 741741
This free, 24/7 crisis text line connects every texter with a Crisis Counselor, a real-life human being trained to bring texters from a hot moment to a calmness through active listening and collaborative problem solving.
This free, 24/7 crisis text line connects every texter with a Crisis Counselor, a real-life human being trained to bring texters from a hot moment to a calmness through active listening and collaborative problem solving.
CALL 415-499-1100 for the local Marin County suicide hotline (connects to a trained crisis counselor).
CALL 800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (connects to a trained crisis counselor).
Depending on the age, size and strength of your child, as well as the details of the crisis, it may be
necessary to call for police assistance in either restraining your child, transporting your child to the
hospital, or tracking down a run away.
Contact your local police department and request a Crisis Intervention Team Officer. The Crisis
Intervention Training (CIT) program, organized by NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) provides
training for officers on mental health issues and teaches techniques of diffusing an out of control
individual. The CIT officers understand the need to take time with an individual and they treat the situation
as a case of mental illness, not criminal activity.
All Marin County emergencies
(415) 472-0911
Belvedere
(415) 435-2611
College of Marin
(415) 485-9696
Corte Madera/Central Marin
(415) 927-5150
Fairfax
(415) 453-5330
Larkspur/Central Marin
(415) 927-5150
Major Crimes Task Force
(415) 884-4878
Marin Sherrif
(415) 473-7250
Marin Sherrif Sub-Stations:
Kentfield
(415) 456-1015
Marin City
(415) 473-5381
Point Reyes
(415) 663-1151
Mill Valley
(415) 389-4100
Novato
(415) 897-1122
Ross
(415) 453-2727
San Anselmo
(415) 258-4610
San Rafael
(415) 485-3000
Sausalito
(415) 289-4170
Tiburon
(415) 789-2801
Remove yourself from any imminent danger. Ask a family member or friend to
help you make these calls or take you to the hospital.
If your teen is expressing intent to harm him or herself or attempt suicide, call
911 and try to stay with the person until help arrives. If the person is threatening
to harm others or exhibiting dangerous or threatening behaviors, call 911.
In non-life threatening situations, try to get the person to seek help immediately
from an emergency room, physician, or mental health professional. Take
seriously any comments about suicide or wishing to die. Even if you do not
believe your family member or friend will actually attempt suicide, the person is
clearly in distress and can benefit from your help in receiving mental health
treatment.