Mental Health Crisis Response - Fresno City Contacts
In Fresno, California, city and county responders coordinate with state law to handle mental health crises. This guide explains who to call, how law enforcement and behavioral health teams respond, what procedures like involuntary holds involve, and practical next steps for families, neighbors, and professionals seeking immediate help or follow-up services.
Overview of Crisis Response
Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health operates crisis services, including mobile crisis teams and access lines that partner with local law enforcement and hospitals to provide immediate assessment and transport when needed. Local police officers receive crisis-intervention training to coordinate with county clinicians during field responses for safety and clinical assessment.Fresno County Crisis Services[1]
Penalties & Enforcement
Municipal law does not impose fines or criminal penalties for experiencing a mental health crisis; enforcement actions relate to public-safety incidents, compliance with court orders, or conduct that violates city code. Specific monetary fines for crisis-related conduct are not specified on the cited pages. For statutory police authority to detain a person for evaluation, California Welfare and Institutions Code section 5150 authorizes a hold of up to 72 hours for evaluation and treatment when a person is a danger to self or others or is gravely disabled.WIC §5150[2]
- Enforcer: Fresno Police Department and county behavioral health clinicians coordinate responses and transports; complaint/contact pages are available from city and county agencies.Fresno Police Department[3]
- Fines/fees: not specified on the cited page
- Appeals/review: court processes and civil writs apply for many orders; for detention under WIC §5150 there is an administrative review and standard civil procedures to contest holds as provided by state law.
- Non-monetary sanctions: involuntary evaluation, hospitalization, release with outpatient conditions, or court-ordered conservatorship when criteria are met.
Applications & Forms
No city form is required to request emergency assessment; law enforcement or clinicians initiate holds under state law when criteria are met. Specific procedural forms or certifications for involuntary evaluation are maintained by county facilities and are not specified on the cited county pages for public download.Crisis Services[1]
How responders coordinate
Typical on-scene coordination includes a safety assessment by officers, clinical assessment by mobile crisis clinicians when available, decision on voluntary transport versus involuntary detention under WIC §5150, and referral to inpatient or outpatient services. Family members can share medical history and advance directives if available.
- Immediate danger: call 911 and request Crisis Intervention-trained officers.
- Non-urgent crisis: contact county crisis access lines or scheduled mobile response.
- Follow-up care: request referrals to community mental health clinics and case management.
Action steps
- Call 911 for imminent danger.
- Contact Fresno County crisis access for non-emergent assessment.Crisis Services[1]
- Bring identifying and medical information to any facility assessment.
FAQ
- Who do I call in a mental health emergency?
- Call 911 for immediate danger. For non-immediate crises, contact Fresno County crisis services and local behavioral health access lines listed below.
- What is a 5150 hold?
- A 5150 hold is a police- or clinician-initiated involuntary 72-hour psychiatric hold for evaluation when someone is a danger to self or others or gravely disabled, as set out in California law.WIC §5150[2]
- Can I appeal an involuntary hold?
- Yes. Facilities and county clinics have review processes and you may seek judicial review; timelines and exact procedures are governed by state law and facility rules and are not fully detailed on the cited county page.
How-To
- Call 911 if the person is an immediate danger to self or others.
- If not immediate, call the county crisis access line to request a mobile crisis assessment or referral to outpatient services.
- If a hold occurs, request the facility review information, document staff names and times, and seek legal advice for appeal or review.
Key Takeaways
- Fresno responses combine police and county behavioral health clinicians for on-scene assessment.
- Call 911 for immediate danger; use county crisis access for non-emergency assessment.
- Involuntary 5150 holds allow up to 72 hours of evaluation under state law.
Help and Support / Resources
- Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health - Crisis Services
- Fresno Police Department
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- California Welfare and Institutions Code §5150