Helplines/Hotlines
Call 911 if a life-threatening situation or Behavioral Health emergency is in progress.
Adult Emergency and Crisis Mental Health Services (County of San Diego) – Call the Access and Crisis Line 888-724-7240, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TDD for the hearing impaired: 619-641-6992. You can talk to a trained counselor who can help you handle a mental health (behavior health) crisis. They will talk to you about what services are available in your area, for all ages, including mental health services with Medi-Cal or no insurance, services for alcohol or drug abuse, suicide prevention, medication needs, and more. Spanish-speaking counselors are available most hours, as well as language interpreters for 140 languages.
Walk-in Emergency Mental Health Services are available for adults who are experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis at the Emergency Psychiatric Unit located at:
San Diego Psychiatric Hospital
3853 Rosecrans Street
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 619-692-8200
Walk-In Crisis Clinics (operated by San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital) are located at Regional Adult/Older Adult Outpatient Clinics. Services are provided by Zip Code in Central, East, South, North Central, North Inland, and North Coastal regions.
Adult Protective Services (County of San Diego) – Call 800-510-2020 (within San Diego County) or 800-339-4661 (outside the County). APS serves adults 65 and older and dependent adults 18 and older, who are harmed, or threatened with harm, to ensure their right to safety and dignity. APS investigates elder and dependent adult abuse, including cases of neglect and abandonment, as well as physical, sexual and financial abuse.
Child Abuse Hotline (County of San Diego) – Call 858-560-2191 or toll free 800-344-6000 (within California). The 24-hour hotline is staffed by trained social workers who receive calls about child abuse, molestation, and neglect. Neighbors, friends, or relatives concerned about a child’s safety, parents who are afraid they may hurt or neglect their child, and children who believe they are being abused should telephone the hotline to discuss their concerns.
National Alliance on Mental Illness: San Diego – Family and Peer Support Helpline 800-523-5933 or 619-543-1434, Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. If you are in crisis and need to speak with someone immediately, please call the Access and Crisis Line at 888-724-7240, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TDD for the hearing impaired: 619-641-6992.
National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Information for the deaf or hard of hearing. For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988. La Línea Nacional contra la Violencia Doméstica en Español.
National Sexual Assault Hotline – Call 800-656-HOPE (4673), free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Operated by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). La Línea de Ayuda Nacional Online del Asalto Sexual en Español o llame 800-656-4673.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255). Options for deaf or hard of hearing or TTY: 1-800-799-4889. Ayuda en Español de la Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio o llame 1-888-628-9454.
Teen Line – Confidential hotline for teenagers operated by teenagers every evening 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Pacific Standard Time. In Los Angeles, call 310-855-4673 or nationwide toll-free 800-852-8336 (6 PM – 10 PM PST), or text “TEEN” to 839863 ( 6 PM – 9 PM PST).
Find a Community Clinic or Urgent Care Clinic
For information on Community Clinics or Urgent Care Clinics visit 211sandiego.org.
Find a Hospital
Sharp Grossmont Hospital – Sharp Grossmont Hospital is the largest health care facility in the East County region. With 536 beds, the hospital provides the largest selection of health care services available.
Sharp Grossmont Hospital
5555 Grossmont Center Drive
La Mesa, CA 91942
Telephone: 619-740-6000
www.sharp.com/hospitals/grossmont/
UCSD Regional Burn Center – Burn centers are specialized centers devoted to the care of people who experience burns and critical soft tissue conditions. The UC San Diego Regional Burn Center has an intensive care unit, a special burn care unit, and an outpatient clinic for minor burn assessments and treatment, and it serves residents of San Diego and Imperial Counties. Located at UC San Diego Medical Center – Hillcrest, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, phone: 619-543-7200.
Children’s Hospital Directory – Detailed search options from the Children’s Hospital Association.
Hospital Compare – This site offered by Medicare has information about the quality of care at over 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals, including over 130 Veterans Administration (VA) medical centers. Compare hospitals based on their overall star rating, summarizing up to 57 measures of quality. In an emergency, you should go to the nearest hospital.
NAMI San Diego – Hospital Ratings and Contact Info – Hospital Directory for San Diego area. Summarizes hospital survey results from government data.
Find a Doctor
San Diego Doctors
Kaiser Permanente: Search Doctors and Locations – Search online or call 800-464-4000, or TTY 711 for the hearing and speech impaired. Para encontrar medicos y centros en Español, Explore los perfiles en línea or llame 800-788-0616.
Scripps Health San Diego: Find a Doctor– Search online or call 800-SCRIPPS (800-727-4777).
Sharp HealthCare San Diego: Find a Doctor– Search online or call 800-82-SHARP (800-827-4277).
TRICARE: Find a Doctor – TRICARE is the health care program for uniformed service members, both active duty and retired, and their families.
UC San Diego Health: Find a Doctor
General doctor finders
California Medical Association Membership Directory – The California Medical Association directory is accessible to the public and covers its 43,000 members in all modes of practice and specialties.
DoctorFinder – The American Medical Association provides this online physician locator. It provides basic professional information on virtually every licensed physician in the United States. This includes more than 814,000 doctors.
Medicare Physician Compare – Find doctors and other health care professionals who accept Medicare patients.
Licenses and certifications
Certification Matters: Is Your Doctor Board Certified? – The American Board of Medical Specialties provides this site to search for doctors that meet nationally recognized standards for education, knowledge, experience, and skills in a specific medical specialty.
California Medical Board Online License Search – The Medical Board of California provides profiles for all physicians and other allied health care providers who are licensed/registered in the state of California.
Osteopathic Medical Board of California – The Osteopathic Medical Board of California provides license verification for osteopathic physicians and surgeons (D.O.)
Finding Other Health Professionals
Acupuncturist: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture: Patient Referral Directory
Acupuncturist: Pacific College of Oriental Medicine: San Diego Massage and Acupuncture Clinic
Behavorial Health Treatment Services Locator – The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides this confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems. Or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 800-662-4357, TTY 800-487-4889, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Chiropractor: American Chiropractic Association: Find a Doctor
Dentist – The San Diego County Dental Society offers search by name, location, or specialty. About 70% of dentists in San Diego and Imperial counties are members.
Directories (MedlinePlus) – Links to numerous directories to help you find doctors and dentists, including specialists, hospitals and clinics, other healthcare providers and facilities, and libraries.
Homeopath: National Center for Homeopathy: Find a Homeopath
Homeopath: North American Society of Homeopaths: Registered Homeopaths Directory
Please note that homeopaths are allowed to practice in California if they provide full disclosure to clients that they are not licensed in California.
Naturopath: California Naturopathic Doctors Association: Find a Naturopathic Doctor – Naturopaths are licensed in California.
Naturopath: California Naturopathic Medicine Committee – The California Department of Consumer Affairs provides search for a naturopath license.
Psychologist: San Diego Psychological Association: Find a Psychologist
Therapist: Counseling California: Find a Therapist – Directory of Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and other mental health professionals practicing in California.
Caregiver Resources
Aging and Independence Services Family Caregiver Support Program (County of San Diego) – AIS helps family members and others who provide care for a loved one. The Family Caregiver Support Program serves adult family caregivers of individuals, age 60 and older, in San Diego County as well as grandparent caregivers of minors, where the minor is a relative of the caregiver, and resides with the caregiver, in San Diego County.
Alzheimer’s Association: San Diego/Imperial Chapter – Includes information on Caregiving and Community Support. Información sobre Alzheimer y la demencia en Español.
Alzheimer’s San Diego – An independent local organization that provides a wide range of free services and support for San Diego families impacted by dementia. Services include Caregiver Support and Discussion Groups, a 6-week series called Coping with Caregiving, and ALZ Companions Respite Program. Servicios en Español.
CDSS Caregiver Background Check Bureau – Provides the public with access to information regarding facilities licensed by the Division
Caregiver Coalition of San Diego – Information and practical tips for people caring for a family member. Provides links to helpful sites and agencies as well as videos, webinars, and local seminars.
CaregiverSD.com – Reliable information from many local agencies and eldercare groups that is designed to assist caregivers in finding information and resources in the San Diego County area. Topics include caregiving essentials, getting help, dementia care, staying healthy, housing choices, and financial matters.
ElderHelp of San Diego – Information and services to help seniors remain independent and in their homes. Programs and services include help with companionship, transportation, grocery shopping, shared housing, employed family caregiver support, and community resources.
Family Caregiver Alliance– Extensive resources for families and friends providing long-term care for loved ones at home. Includes classes, webinars, videos, fact and tip sheets, services, and advocacy. Algunos recursos en Español.
Lotsa Helping Hands – Provides personalized websites for “online caring communities” to help organize daily life during times of medical crisis or caregiver exhaustion. Help Calendars provide a place to request help, such as meals, trips to the doctor, and more. Caregivers benefit from the gifts of much needed help, emotional support, and peace of mind, while volunteers find meaning in giving back to those in need.
San Diego Eldercare Directory: Your Guide to Independent Living and Long-Term Care – The San Diego Union-Tribune publishes this annual guide to a wide variety of services and resources for seniors. You can also request a free copy of the print directory or pick one up at the Herrick Library, other public libraries, and senior community centers.
Southern Caregiver Resource Center – Offers free caregiver support services and information to families caring for adults with chronic and disabling conditions or diseases in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Support services include education, care planning, case management, counseling, respite care, and support groups. En Español.
St. Paul’s PACE – PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) provides senior care for adults in San Diego over 55 years of age who are living with chronic illness or disabilities and need coordinated medical care to continue living as independently as possible in their home. Provides all the medical care and services covered by Medicare and Medi-Cal. It provides “all-inclusive” medical, social, nutritional, rehabilitation, home care, and meal services. En Español.
Patient Communication Websites
CaringBridge – Create a free personalized website for a patient or family member to stay in touch with family and friends during significant health challenges.
MyLifeLine – A service of Cancer Support Community, MyLifeLine allows you to create a free personalized website for cancer patients and caregivers. Información en Español.
Evaluating Healthcare
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality – An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AHRQ produces evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable, and makes sure that the evidence is understood and used. Patients & Consumers section includes information on getting diagnosed, having surgery, taking medications, using hospitals and clinics, questions to ask your doctor, and more. Información en Español sobre prevención y bienestar, condiciones y enfermedades, atención médica, medicamentos, la seguridad del paciente, y calidad de atención médica.
Center for Data Insights and Innovation (State of California) – Rates health plans and medical groups using health care performance measures based on quality of medical care and patient experience. CDII drives insights, accessibility, sharing, and transformation for data across CalHHS and California. in order to better enable health care consumers to access the health care services for which they are eligible. Includes California Health Care Quality Report Cards that rank Medical Groups, HMOs, PPOs, Medicare Physician Groups, and hospitals in California. Translations to other languages is available on the home page.
Hospital Compare – This site from Medicare has information about the quality of care at over 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals. The overall rating includes 57 of the more than 100 measures reported on Hospital Compare, divided into seven categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, effectiveness of care, timeliness of care, and efficient use of medical imaging. Three hospitals may be compared at one time.
Medicare also offers:
Nursing Home Compare
Home Health Compare
Dialysis Facility Compare
Medicare Plan Finder
Supplier Directory for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies
The Joint Commission – An independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the U.S. Search for health care organizations. Information for the General Public. includes “Speak Up” videos and “Helping You Choose” guides.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Be an Informed Consumer – Provides information on issues to consider, consumer tips, safety information, choosing a practitioner, about dietary and herbal supplements, and know the science.
National Committee for Quality Assurance – NCQA is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. Ratings and information on health care plans, hospitals, and doctors. Organizations that pass a rigorous, comprehensive review may use the NCQA seal as a symbol of quality. Information for consumers helps people find high-quality health care.
