Immediate danger
911 / PERT
Overdose, active self-harm, or you cannot transport safely. Ask for PERT.
911Virtual IOP & OP · Ages 12–17 · CaliforniaIn-network insurance accepted
Verify insurance
San Diego · After a hold
The 14 days after a San Diego hold
After discharge, follow the safety plan and confirm follow-up care with your teen's clinical team.
- Licensed clinicians
- Virtual care across California
- Free consultation
If your teen is in immediate danger
Call 911 for medical emergencies. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Virtual IOP and outpatient care are not emergency services — reach emergency help first, then contact us when your teen is safe for non-emergency clinical support.
What just happened
Discharge is not the finish line
After a teen psychiatric hold, follow the discharge team's safety plan and confirm the next clinical appointment. Discharge does not guarantee that symptoms or safety concerns have resolved, so discuss new concerns with a clinician. Call 911 for immediate danger or a medical emergency; call or text 988 for crisis support.
California Welfare and Institutions Code 5585.50 permits up to 72 hours of evaluation and treatment for minors who meet its criteria. Ask the discharging facility which statute applies and what follow-up care your teen needs. Mental Health For Teens offers scheduled virtual care only when a clinician determines that it is appropriate.
- 01San Diego numbers to save
- 02The first 14 days at home
- 03When virtual IOP can start
San Diego map
Save these tonight
Hours change. Confirm walk-in times on the County of San Diego HHSA and Rady Children’s pages before you drive.
24/7 · San Diego
Access & Crisis Line
County crisis center and local 988. Use this number if your phone is out of area.
888-724-7240Call or text
988 Lifeline
From 619, 858, 760, or 442 it routes to the ACL. Use 911 for medical emergencies.
988Walk-in · Weekdays
Rady BH Urgent Care
Ages 5–21. Mon–Fri 1:00–5:15 p.m. 4305 University Ave #150. Not a 24/7 ER.
858-966-5484Nights and weekends
Rady Children’s ER
3020 Children’s Way. Use after hours, holidays, or when BHUC is closed.
858-966-8005Youth psychiatric ER
County Screening Unit
4309 3rd Ave. Confirm current hours before you go. Dial 211 for other referrals.
619-876-4502The first two weeks
What to do once they are home
Four moves. If danger returns at any point, stop and call 911 or 988.
The night they come home
Lock unused meds and other means if you can do it safely. Sleep nearby if the safety plan says so. Tell one trusted adult — not a group chat.
Days 1–3
Call the follow-up clinic the next business morning. Write down sleep, food, school, and any return of the thoughts that started the hold.
Days 4–14
If the “7–10 day follow-up” is still unbooked, call the ACL for a referral. Ask the school for a short attendance plan so missed days do not become SARB.
When structured care can start
Virtual IOP is for teens who are stable enough for scheduled sessions at home. Bring the discharge summary and your notes. It cannot replace an ER or an active hold.
Before you leave the hospital
Ask these six questions
If they cannot answer, write down who will — and by when.
- 01What code is on the paperwork — 5585, 5250, or voluntary?
- 02What changed so they believe home is safe tonight?
- 03Is there a written safety plan, and who has a copy?
- 04What follow-up is already booked — name, phone, date?
- 05Which meds changed, and who refills them this month?
- 06If 2 a.m. goes badly, do we go to Rady ER, the Screening Unit, or 911?
Level of care
When virtual IOP can start
Mental Health For Teens is scheduled care at home for California teens ages 12–17 — after a clinician says they are safe enough to participate.
Step 1 · Emergency first
Call 911 or 988 when
- A plan or intent to attempt suicide
- Self-harm that needs medical care
- You cannot keep them safe at home
- They are still on an active hold
After immediate safety is addressed
Step 2 · Structured support
Virtual IOP or outpatient may fit when
- 01They are home with a safety plan
- 02A clinician cleared outpatient-level care
- 03Weekly therapy is not enough structure
- 04You can support a consistent virtual schedule
Step 3 · When clinically appropriate
The hold is over. The next step should not be a waitlist.
If they are home and stable enough for scheduled care, we can map virtual IOP or outpatient — and verify insurance. If they are not safe tonight, call 911 or 988 first.
FAQ
Common questions
Straight answers about teen mental health care, programs, and insurance — not a substitute for professional assessment.
For minors, the 72-hour evaluation is generally a 5585. 5150 is the adult statute. Ask the hospital to name the code on the paperwork. This is education, not legal advice.
No. It means they no longer met criteria for that setting right now. Keep the safety plan. Call 911 or 988 if danger returns.
Not automatically. Ask the discharging clinician and the school counselor. Document the hold so missed days do not start SARB — see what to tell the school on the California SARB page.
No. Rady BHUC is a weekday walk-in safety check. Hospitals handle emergencies. Virtual IOP starts only after they are stable enough for scheduled sessions at home.
When they are home and stable, we can plan the next step
Free consultation for virtual IOP or outpatient — after 911 or 988 if they are not safe tonight.