Los Angeles County Mental Health Landscape (2025-2026)

• Category: County Initiative
• Leadership: LA County Board of Supervisors
• Key Leaders:
  • Supervisor Hilda Solis
  • Supervisor Kathryn Barger
  • Supervisor Lindsey Horvath
• Lead Agencies:
  • Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
  • Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
• Purpose: Divert individuals with mental illness from jail into treatment and community-based services.
• Key Components:
  • Crisis stabilization centers
  • Community mental-health treatment
  • Reentry support for individuals leaving incarceration
  • Housing support
• Official information: https://ceo.lacounty.gov/ati/

• Category: County Initiative
• Lead Agency: Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
• Leadership: Dr. Lisa H. Wong, Director, LA County Department of Mental Health
• Purpose: Reduce suicide rates through coordinated prevention strategies and community education.
• Key Components:
  • Public awareness campaigns
  • Suicide prevention training
  • Crisis hotlines
  • Community mental health outreach
• Official information: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/about/mental-health-commission/suicideprevention/

• Category: County Initiative
• Leadership: LA County Board of Supervisors
• Key Agencies:
  • Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
  • Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
  • Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)
• Purpose: Address homelessness through integrated mental health, housing, and social services.
• Official information: https://homeless.lacounty.gov

• Category: County Initiative
• Leadership:
  • Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
  • Los Angeles County Office of Education
• Purpose: Expand access to mental health services for children and adolescents.
• Programs include:
  • School-based counseling
  • Trauma-informed services
  • Early intervention programs
• Official information: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/kids/

• Category: County Program
• Lead Agency: LA County Department of Mental Health
• Leadership: Dr. Lisa H. Wong, Director, LA County Department of Mental Health
• Purpose: Provide intensive wraparound services to individuals with severe mental illness.
• Services include:
  • Therapy
  • Housing support
  • Employment assistance
  • Case management
• Official information: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/our-services/adults/fsp/

• Category: County Program
• Lead Agencies:
  • Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
  • Local law enforcement agencies
• Purpose: Provide mobile crisis intervention for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies.
• Official information: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/our-services/countywide-services/pmrt/

• Category: County Program
• Lead Agency: LA County Department of Mental Health
• Purpose: Provide short-term residential care for individuals experiencing acute psychiatric crises.
• Official information: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/our-services/adults/crisis-residential-treatment/

• Category: County Program
• Partners:
  • LA County Department of Mental Health
  • School districts across Los Angeles County
• Purpose: Provide mental health services to students within schools.
• Official information: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/our-services/kids/

• Category: County Policy
• Lead Agency: LA County Department of Mental Health
• Purpose: Ensure mental health services are culturally and linguistically appropriate.
• Official information: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/resources/cultural-competency/

• Category: County Policy
• Purpose: Promote trauma-informed approaches across healthcare, social services, and education systems.
• Official information: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/resources/trauma-informed-care/

• Category: County Policy
• Purpose: Improve coordination between mental health services, primary care, and social services.
• Official information: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/about/integrated-care/

• Residential treatment facility regulations
• Supportive housing standards
• Public health protections
• Board of Supervisors information: https://bos.lacounty.gov
• County code: https://library.municode.com/ca/los_angeles_county/codes/code_of_ordinances

• Introduced by: Supervisor Hilda Solis
• Purpose: Expand diversion programs for individuals with mental illness.
• Board motion archive: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/

• Introduced by: Supervisor Kathryn Barger
• Purpose: Increase investment in mobile mental health crisis teams.
• Board motion archive: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/

• Introduced by: Supervisor Lindsey Horvath
• Purpose: Coordinate housing and behavioral health services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Board motion archive: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/

• Category: County Funding Measure
• Purpose: Provide funding for homelessness services including mental health programs.
• Official information: https://homeless.lacounty.gov/measure-h/

• Category: County Housing and Homelessness Funding Measure
• Purpose: Support housing solutions and services for vulnerable populations.
• Official information: https://measurea.lacounty.gov

• Members
  • Supervisor Hilda L. Solis – https://solis.lacounty.gov
  • Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath – https://horvath.lacounty.gov
  • Supervisor Kathryn Barger – https://kathrynbarger.lacounty.gov
  • Supervisor Janice Hahn – https://hahn.lacounty.gov
  • Supervisor Holly Mitchell – https://mitchell.lacounty.gov

• Director, Dr. Lisa H. Wong
• Website: https://dmh.lacounty.gov

• The San Gabriel Valley includes large populations of:
  • Latino communities
  • Asian American communities
  • Immigrant families
  • Multigenerational households

Cultural stigma surrounding mental illness and language barriers can delay treatment and reduce access to services. Expanding culturally responsive care and bilingual providers is critical to improving mental health outcomes in the region.

• Source: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/about-us/community-partners/

Many SGV communities have a growing number of older adults aging in place. This demographic trend increases demand for services addressing:

• Depression and isolation among seniors
• Caregiver burnout
• Dementia-related behavioral health needs
• Grief and bereavement support

Los Angeles County Aging and Disabilities Department: https://ad.lacounty.gov

Schools throughout the San Gabriel Valley have reported rising levels of:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Academic stress
• Social isolation
• Suicide risk among adolescents

Strengthening partnerships between schools, mental health providers, and community organizations is essential to improving youth mental health.

California Department of Education – Student Mental Health: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/cg/mh/

Cities across the SGV—including El Monte, Baldwin Park, West Covina, Pomona, and Azusa have seen increased demand for outreach services addressing individuals experiencing homelessness and serious mental illness.

• Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority: https://www.lahsa.org
• Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative: https://homeless.lacounty.gov

California continues to face a shortage of:

• Psychiatrists
• Licensed therapists
• Behavioral health clinicians
• Culturally competent providers

These shortages can be particularly pronounced in suburban regions like the SGV where provider distribution may be uneven.

California Health Care Foundation – Workforce Research: https://www.chcf.org/publication/california-behavioral-health-workforce/