California officially launched its first toll-free statewide mental health line on Tuesday.
Assembly member Phil Ting and State Senator Scott Wiener announced the opening of California Peer-Run Warm Line, which offers free non-emergency emotional support and referrals via telephone or instant messaging to anyone in the state.
Governor Gavin Newsom allocated $10.8 billion to fund the operations of the California Peer-Run Warn line for three years. The service will help Californians who are not in crisis but need of emotional or mental support. It will help prevent the need for more expensive, crisis-based interventions such as hospitalizations.
The state is operating the service in partnership with the Mental Health Association of San Francisco (MHASF).
California Peer-Run Warm Line will help save lives
In a statement, Assembly member Ting said, “When addressing issues surrounding health, the conversation must also include emotional wellness. This new state resource builds on our current mental health system by serving a population that is not in crisis but still in need of support.”
