Santa Clara Co. Looks To Expand Mental Health Services

PALO ALTO, CA — As the nation continues to feel the crush of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for mental health services has risen sharply.

In Santa Clara County, local leaders hope to expand resources for those suffering from a mental health of substance abuse crisis and especially for those between the ages of 16 and 24.

On Tuesday, on County Supervisor Joe Simitian's motion, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors directed county staff to begin planning the expansion, which would also lend the local Mobile Crisis Teams to the North County and West Valley.

These teams — made up of social workers and behavioral health clinicians — are are preferably dispatched instead of police officers to aid those suffering from a crisis.

Last year, the program received almost 5,000 calls for service. That's 1,600 more calls than in 2020 and 3,800 more than 2019, according to a release from Simitian's office.

"Given the increased need for this service, and the geography of our County, a unit based in the North County/West Valley area would help provide faster, better service to our residents," Simitian said in a statement. "In fact, a dedicated unit in the North County and West Valley would benefit the entire County," he said, adding, "by allowing staff in central county to focus their time and resources there."

Simitian urged that expanding the crisis team would lessen the burden of law enforcement.

"Having behavioral health clinicians and other professionals available to help people in crisis not only provides a more complete and appropriate response, but it also allows law enforcement to focus on other community needs," he wrote.

In February, the county will report back to the board with a plan to expand the Mobile Crisis Response Team to North County and West Valley. Officials will return to the Board on April 19 with a plan for expanding services to young people.