California Launches First Statewide Mental Health Line

The California Peer-Run Warm Line has officially opened, offering free non-emergency emotional support and referrals to anyone in the state via telephone or instant messaging. This service is made possible because of a state budget allocation of $10.8 million over three years, championed by Governor Newsom, State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assembly Budget Committee Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco).

Says Assembly Chair Ting, "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," said Ting.

The California Peer-Run Warm Line is toll free: 1-855-845-7415 and will initially be staffed for most of the day:

Mondays to Fridays: 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturdays: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm and Sundays: 7:00 am – 9:00 pm

The call center is scheduled to ramp up to 24/7 service by the end of the year and expects about 25,000 calls a year.

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