MH First

2 in 5 people who are incarcerated have a history of mental illness. Our purpose is to interrupt and eliminate the need for law enforcement in mental health crisis first response by providing peer support, de-escalation assistance, and non-punitive and life-affirming interventions. Because no one can get well in a cell!

Call or text 510-999-9641, Wednesday through Sunday, 8pm to Midnight for mental health support and crisis response that does not involve carceral punishment.

“America’s jails and prisons have become de-facto mental health providers, at great cost to the well-being of people with mental health conditions.” - National Alliance on Mental Illness

If someone you know needs help navigating the carceral system, reach out to for more resources.

70% of youth in the American juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health condition. Youth in detention are also 10 times more likely to suffer from psychosis than youth in the community. Kids don’t need cages, they need community care!

Find the support and resources you need to keep a young person from being part of that 70% by contacting MH First, Wednesday through Sunday, 8pm to Midnight at 510-999-9641.

If you need help outside our hours of operation, you can also find resources:
- In our MH First Sacramento Resource Guide: bit.ly/APTPSacSupport
- By calling the California Coalition for Youth Crisis Line at 1 (800) 843-5200 (24/7 hotline for youth ages 12-24 and their families).
- Contacting Allcove Sacramento (916) 313-7080 or [email protected] (Resource center for youth in Oak Park)
- Visiting The Creation District www.thecreationdistrict.com/ (Safe, creative and educational space for Sacramento youth, especially those facing housing insecurity)

At least 116 people were killed by police in response to a mental health crisis in 2025 (US).* Implementing alternative responses to mental health crises, intimate partner violence, and wellness checks would drastically reduce the number of community members murdered by police each year. That is why we do the work we do, to be that alternative. Call or Text 510-999-9641, Wednesday through Sunday, 8pm to Midnight for mental health support and crisis response that does not involve police.

It is important that people know the lethal risk of law enforcement response to mental health crises so that other solutions and responses can be found. For mental health support resources in Sacramento county, use our MH First Resource Guide: bit.ly/APTPSacSupport.

*(Statistic based on Mapping Police Violence: policeviolencereport.org)

Did you know that 1 in 5 adults experience a mental illness each year in the US? In 2025, there were 6,665,000 Californians living with a mental health condition. These numbers prove that struggling with mental health is far more common than many people believe.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If you or someone you love struggles with mental health, know that you are not alone. And know that we are here for you. Call or text our Mental Health First Line at 510-999-9641, 8pm to 12am, Wednesday through Sunday for mental health support and crisis response that does not involve police. Because asking for help should be met with care and empathy, not violence and scrutiny.

Statistics based on 2025 data from the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI).

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And we need to be clear about what that means.

Awareness is not enough if the only response people have in a crisis is calling 911.

Too many of our people are met with force instead of care. Too many situations escalate because the response is rooted in policing, not healing.

We are building something different.

Join our Mental Health First Crisis Response Training and learn how to recognize, assess, and respond to a mental health crisis without relying on police. This is about equipping our communities with the tools to show up for each other with care, safety, and dignity.

Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Online and free

This two-day training will help you:
• Recognize signs of a mental health crisis
• Respond with de-escalation and care
• Support people without involving law enforcement
• Build community-based safety in real time

This is what it looks like to move from awareness to action.

This is what it looks like to build real alternatives.

This is how we keep each other safe.
Register now: bit.ly/MH1-2324

Share this with your people. Show up. Learn. Build.

Did you know that restraining orders do not require calling the police? Reports can be made online in California. Here are two resources for more information:
- selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/CH-restraining-order/process
- selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/DV-restraining-order/process

Safety looks different for every person. Sometimes the path to safety necessitates a trail of legal paperwork. Often a barrier to starting that process can be fear of law enforcement. There are many ways to create safety without directly involving police, and filing a restraining order online is one.

Call or text 510-999-9641 Wednesday through Sunday, 8pm to Midnight for more information on safety planning and mental health support.

Is it okay to call MH First for non-crisis mental health support? Yes! If you are not experiencing a crisis, you should still call MH First if you:

- Want someone to talk to
- Need general support for mental health
- Are looking for local housing, food, or health resources
- Are interested in learning more about destigmatizing mental health

Call or text us 8pm to 12am, Wednesday through Sunday at (510) 999-9641

Our MH First Team is here for you! Whether you need help with an active mental health crisis or just want someone to talk to and be present with you, we got you.

We are available Wednesday through Sunday, 8pm to 12am. Call or text (510) 999-9641 for help with general mental health support, finding local housing and health resources, destigmatizing substance use, safety planning, and more.