About Us

About Us

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) serves approximately one-quarter of a million residents each year, making it the largest mental health service system in the nation. We provide a diverse spectrum of mental health services to all ages, including mental health assessments, crisis intervention, case management, and medication support in both residential and outpatient settings. Our diverse workforce includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, medical doctors, clergy, and trained mental health consumers.

California’s public mental health service system for adults and older adults is targeted to individuals who are functionally disabled by severe and persistent mental illness, as well as those who are low-income, uninsured and temporarily impaired, or in situational crises. The target population for services to children and youth are those who are seriously emotionally disturbed and diagnosed with a mental disorder. This includes wards or dependents of the juvenile court, children in psychiatric inpatient facilities, seriously emotionally disturbed youth in the community, and special education students referred by local schools and educational institutions.

The Director of Mental Health serves as Public Guardian, acting as conservator for persons gravely disabled by mental illness and, as appointed by the court, for the frail elderly. The director is also the County's Conservatorship Investigation Officer. The Director has responsibility to ensure that patients' rights are protected in all public and private hospitals and community programs providing involuntary assessments, care, and treatment.

Mental illness affects almost every family.

People of all ages, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds can develop a mental illness at some point in their lives. It is estimated that approximately 5 to 9 percent of all individuals suffer from serious mental health problems. In a County as large as ours, close to a million people may need the care and support of mental health services at any given time.

With the support of mental health and other support services, friends, family, individuals with even the most severe mental health disorders can recover and live satisfying, meaningful lives. Unfortunately, the consequences of untreated mental illness can be quite serious, including homelessness, incarceration in jail, or even suicide.

We believe treatment works and recovery is possible.

Each year, DMH brings hope and recovery to hundreds of thousands of residents in all regions of Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County is one of the nation’s largest counties, with over 4,000 square miles, 88 different cities, and over 130 unincorporated communities. The County is home to over 10 million residents, a number exceeded by only eight states. One of the most diverse regions of the United States, dozens of languages are spoken by the County’s residents. The County is governed by the Board of Supervisors.

Due to its large geographic size, Los Angeles County departments divide services into 8 regions called “Service Areas.” The eight Service Area (SA) regions include:

• SA 1 (Antelope Valley)
• SA 2 (San Fernando)
• SA 3 (San Gabriel)
• SA 4 (Metro)
• SA 5 (West)
• SA 6 (South)
• SA 7 (East)
• SA 8 (South Bay/Harbor)