San Diego Plans Big Boost in Mental Health Services by 2030
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors got together this Tuesday to chat about a big idea. They want to create thousands more spots for people needing help with mental health and substance use by 2030. Let’s dig into what this means and why it’s important.
What’s the Plan?
Officials from the county came up with a plan they’re calling the Substance Use Disorder Optimal Care Pathways. Here’s what they propose:
- Double the in-house treatment spots: They plan to increase the number of slots from 4,978 to 8,851 in the next five years. That means more beds and more space for people who need serious help.
- Boost outpatient services: The goal is to nearly double the spots from 9,332 to 18,390. This helps folks get care without staying overnight in a facility, making it easier to get help earlier and stick with it.
- More housing linked to health services: They want to raise the roof—literally—by increasing housing spots from 2,627 to 5,033 that are linked to mental health care.
Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer explained that each “slot” is a chance for care—like a bed for the night or a therapy session.
The Decision So Far
The supervisors seemed to like what they heard and gave a thumbs up to keep moving forward. They voted 3-0 to keep learning about the plan and asked their Chief Administrative Officer, Ebony Shelton, to check back in August with updates.
A Better Net for Those in Need
According to Vice Chair Lawson-Remer and Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, the county isn’t new to this rodeo. Since 2021, they’ve added over 5,100 treatment slots. They’ve also opened four new crisis centers and added more teams to help people in crisis situations, hopefully keeping them out of emergency rooms or, worse, jail.
Dr. Luke Bergmann from Behavioral Health Services shared, “Catching people earlier in their journey can really help connect them to the right treatment before things get really rough.” Basically, they want fewer crises and more managing the situation smoothly.
Talk from the Experts
Dr. Nicole Esposito, also from Behavioral Health Services, pointed out that nearly 20% of folks in California could use some help with substance issues, but only about 11% actually get that help. “We need a good, joined-up plan to spot folks who need help and keep them on track with their recovery,” she explained.
Law and Order’s Take
It’s not just health experts weighing in. Law enforcement’s also keeping an eye on the plan. Cmdr. Jim Emig from the Sheriff’s Office emphasized how important it is to keep having the right teams ready to respond to psychiatric emergencies. It’s a big deal for public safety too.
Rachel Solov, a big shot at the District Attorney’s Office, pointed out a lot of people tangled up in the legal system battle with mental health or substance use problems. “Helping people stay out of the justice system in the first place really serves everyone better,” she said.
Moving Forward
It sounds like San Diego’s got a solid plan to tackle some big challenges in mental health and substance use. By doubling down on the resources and making sure they’re reaching people sooner, the county hopes to make serious headway in helping folks stay healthy and safe.
That’s a look at what’s happening in San Diego. It’s about getting people the help they need when they need it, making sure there are plenty of places to get that help, and linking up different parts of the system so everything works better together. They’re setting the stage for a healthier community by 2030, and it looks like they’re off to a strong start.
