What Is Behavioral Health?
Behavioral health services support your mental well-being so you can lead a balanced and fulfilling life. As a CalOptima Health member, you have access to mental health services; Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT), including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA); and substance use disorder services. No matter what you’re struggling with, we’re here to support you, so you can flourish.
Get Integrated Behavioral Health Services to Set Your Mind at Ease
Your peace of mind matters. Our broad behavioral health services make sure your needs are met. We’ll link you to a network of behavioral health providers for the service you are looking for, so you can get the best care possible.
Support for Mental Wellness
Counseling and Therapy Services
Find the support you need with outpatient psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups to help you handle life’s challenges and boost your mental well-being.
Mental Health Evaluations and Assessments
Know your mental health needs through an evaluation or assessment with one of our behavioral health providers.
Lab Work, Medicines and Supplies
Get outpatient services that include lab work, medicines and supplies to support your behavioral health journey.
Medication Management and Monitoring
Stay on track with your treatment plan to make sure your medicines are safe and helpful.
Psychiatric Advice and Support
Receive psychiatric consultation, including guidance to help you reach mental wellness.
Dyadic Services
Build stronger family connections and support your child’s emotional growth with our dyadic services. These services are often available at your child’s pediatrician’s office. Dyadic services include health check-ups for emotional well-being, designed for children under 21 and their parent(s) or caregiver(s).
Help With Substance Use and Recovery
Take the first step toward recovery and addressing substance use challenges. Your doctor can provide a Screening, Assessment, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SABIRT) and may also offer Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid or alcohol recovery.
For support, call our CalOptima Health Behavioral Health line toll-free at 1-855-877-3885 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak your language.
You also have access to other drug Medi-Cal services through the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS).
- Call the 24/7 Member Access Line: 1-800-723-8641
- Visit: www.ochealthinfo.com/dmc-ods
Access to Behavioral Health Treatment and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Give your child the support they need with specialized Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT), including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), to help young minds grow and stay healthy. Our BHT services:
- Are for members under 21 years of age
- Focus on improving behavior, communications and skills by increasing behaviors that are helpful and decreasing behaviors that are harmful
- Require referral by a doctor or a licensed psychologist*
*Signed documentation, including a diagnosis and recommendation for BHT and/or ABA is needed from a doctor, surgeon or licensed clinical psychologist. If you don’t have the documentation, you can be linked for a Developmental Evaluation by calling our CalOptima Health Behavioral Health line toll-free at 1-855-877-3885 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak your language.
Let’s Talk About How We Can Help
Call our team, find a provider near you or book a telehealth appointment — we offer many ways for you to get support for your mental well-being.
Call Our Behavioral Health Team
For more information about our services or help with mental or behavioral health care, call our Behavioral Health line toll-free at 1-855-877-3885 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak your language.
Look for a Provider Near You
Meet Virtually With TeleMed2U
Getting support for your mental wellness is simpler than ever with TeleMed2U. Book a confidential video or phone call with a TeleMed2U licensed behavioral health provider from the comfort of your home.
- Log in to your Member Portal: If you have trouble logging in, call CalOptima Health Customer Service toll-free at 1-888-587-8088 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for help.
- Go to the Behavioral Health Virtual Visits webpage: On your homepage, find Services and choose Behavioral Health Virtual Visits from the drop-down menu at the top right of the page. This page has more information on TeleMed2U, one of CalOptima Health’s behavioral health providers.
- Book an appointment: Click Make an Appointment to go to the TeleMed2U website, then choose Book an Appointment and fill out the appointment form. If you have questions or need help with completing the form, please call TeleMed2U at 1-562-268-0955 or toll-free at 1-844-585-9210.
Every mental health journey is unique. We create tailored treatment plans that meet each person’s unique needs and goals. Our focus on individualized care and achieving overall wellness consistently drives better patient outcomes.
We accept:
- Mild-to-moderate patients
- Patients aged 5+ for psychiatry
- Patients aged 13+ for therapy
Some of the common conditions we successfully treat through telehealth are:
- Depression and bipolar disorder
- Personality disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Check Out More Resources for Your Mental Wellness
Mental Health Crisis Lines
Speak to trained professionals 24/7. Whether you or your loved one is having a mental health emergency, these crisis lines can give you guidance, support and resources to keep you safe and well.
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988
Health and Wellness Guides
Build your self-care knowledge and tools with our Health and Wellness Guides on mental health and depression.
Community Resources
We’re proud to work closely with our trusted community partners to offer a variety of resources aimed at enhancing mental and behavioral health services.
Mental Health Resources in Orange County
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Services
- Suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline
Phone Number
- Call or Text 988
Hours of Operations
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
OC Links
Services
- Mental health and wellness resources line
Phone Number
- Call 1-855-625-4657
Hours of Operations
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
Services
- Survivors after suicide bereavement groups, survivors of suicide attempt support groups
Phone Number
- Call 1-888-807-7250
Hours of Operations
- Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5pm
Crisis Assessment Team (CAT)
Services
- For assessment and evaluation of individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies, including threats to harm self, others or gravely disabled
Phone Number
- Call 1-855-625-4657
Hours of Operations
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
The Trevor Project
Services
- Phone, chat and text support for LGBTQ + youth
Phone Number
- Call 1-866-488-7386
Hours of Operations
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Behavioral Health Support for Kids and Families
BrightLife Kids, a CalHOPE program funded by the State of California, offers free, expert coaching to families with children ages 0–12. No insurance or referrals are needed.
BrightLife Kids helps your family:
- Connect with diverse coaches experienced in working with various communities
- Access support for day-to-day challenges and questions between sessions
- Understand your child’s needs and navigate community resources for therapy, psychiatry or medication management
All services are free, confidential and available to families living in California. If your child requires therapy, BrightLife Kids can assist in identifying resources in your area.
Mental Health Support for Teens and Young Adults
Soluna, another free CalHOPE program, offers teens and young adults ages 13–25 a safe space to explore mental health concerns and seek support anytime, anywhere.
Soluna helps you:
- Connect with trained Soluna coaches whenever you need someone to talk to. Sessions are unlimited, free and require no insurance
- Utilize self-guided resources to manage stress, set meaningful goals and develop coping skills at your own pace
- Engage with peer communities to share experiences, offer encouragement and connect with others facing similar challenges
- Access help with finding therapists, local resources or community services when additional support is needed
Soluna is available as a mobile app and accessible via web browsers for those without smartphone access. Professional coaching is offered in English and Spanish through the app and by phone in 19 languages. All services are free and confidential.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are examples of behavioral health (also known as mental health) conditions?
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Bipolar disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Eating disorders
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
What behavioral services does CalOptima Health provide?
Behavioral health services may include:
- Talk therapy
- Psychiatrist appointments for medicine management
Are mental health issues common?
Mental health issues are more common than you may think. Many people deal with mental health issues every day. They affect each person in their own way, so treatment for mental health that works for one person may not work for another. Your emotions, thoughts, and mood affect your daily routines, relationships with others, and how you take care of other medical conditions you may have.Are mental health conditions something to be ashamed of?
No, absolutely not. Mental health conditions are just like other health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes that need to be checked and maintained.Do I need an authorization or referral?
Outpatient talk therapy and medicine management are services that do not need a referral. Some services like psychological testing do require prior authorization.What number can I call for access to behavioral health services?
The CalOptima Health Behavioral Health Line is 1-855-877-3885 (TTY 711). We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Telehealth appointments are also available by calling TeleMed2U toll-free at 1-844-585-9210.What can I expect during my call to the CalOptima Health Behavioral Health Line?
A. A representative will ask you a few questions about your behavioral health status to find the best services for you.
B. You will receive provider options to help you. You can also look up providers on our CalOptima Health website www.caloptima.org.
What can I expect during my first appointment with my behavioral health provider?
Your first appointment may be different from your future visits. You will meet the behavioral health provider and may be asked to complete paperwork.
What if I don’t like my provider?
You have the choice to change providers at any time.How often do I need to see my behavioral health provider?
You and your provider will decide what type of schedule is best for you.How long will my treatment last?
It takes time to find the right treatment that works best for each person. Be patient with the treatment and the recovery process. Your behavioral health provider will work with you to create your treatment plan.
Access Helpful Resources
Find a Doctor Near You
Search our network to find a trusted provider that meets your health care needs.
Explore Medi-Cal Benefits
See the benefits and services our Medi-Cal program offers.
Check Out Our Other Programs
Read about other programs and services offered to our Medi-Cal members.
Learn About California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM)
Find out how CalAIM is transforming Health care with new services and supports.