Goals
The Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health (Mental Health Plan) provides specialty mental health services in Fresno County. Mental health services under the Mental Health Plan are available to residents of Fresno County who receive Medi-Cal benefits. We are also there for people with limited or no resources for their mental health needs.
We are committed to provide quality mental health care to people of all ages and cultures. We will do our best to respect your needs, protect your rights as a person served, and keep information about you private.
This handbook contains information about the Fresno County Mental Health Plan. It tells you how to get mental health care when you need it, what services are covered, and your rights as a person served of mental health services.
If you need more information than you can find in this handbook, please call us toll-free at 1 800 654-3937(if you use TTY, dial 711 to reach the California Relay Service). We are happy to answer your questions or mail you information about our services. You can also get brochures with more information at any mental health service site.
Our staff and providers are trained to help people of all ages from many cultures. They can help you in most of the languages spoken in Fresno County.
Fresno County Responsibilities
- Provide quality mental health services
- Evaluate mental health requests on a timely basis
- Give you a choice of providers
- Offer you a second opinion, if you request one
- Provide you with information about your mental health services
Persons Served (Consumer) Responsibilities
- Keep appointments or let us know in advance of your need to postpone
- Follow your treatment plan or ask for a revision in the plan
- Let your therapist know of any changes in your condition
- Seek help in times of crisis
- Keep violence, drugs, abusive language, and damaging behavior out of the treatment setting in respect for others
- Abide by program rules
Privacy
What you talk about with a therapist will not be shared with anyone outside the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health (Mental Health Plan) unless you agree in writing. All of your records are kept in a locked, secure place.
There are only two exceptions to this. If you give your therapist information that you might endanger yourself or others, then the therapist must contact the proper authorities--this is required by law.
The only other exception is if we are ordered by a court of law to give them information.
What to Look For
If you or someone in your family is having a significant problem, call the Fresno County Behavioral Health Access Line at 1 800 654-3937 to see how we can help. The following questions will help you know what to look for:
- Is the person sad, hopeless or angry most of the time without a good reason? Does the person overreact? Is there excessive crying?
- Does the person talk about feelings of worthlessness? Is the person anxious or worried a lot more than other people you know? Are there other unexplained fears which affect their mood or the choices they make? Are they always worried that something bad might happen to them?
- When there has been a separation or death, is this person having more difficulty recovering than others in the family?
- Is the person constantly concerned about their physical appearance? Are there unexplained changes in sleeping or eating? Does the person diet or exercise in the extreme?
- Does the person suddenly lose interest in things which they usually enjoy? Do they avoid family and friends?
- Does the person have difficulty concentrating or focusing on what they are doing? Do they talk about hearing voices? Do they daydream excessively? Do they have persistent nightmares?
- Has the person talked about committing suicide?
- Is there a focus on drugs and alcohol?
- Does the person constantly break rules or violate the rights of others?
Persons Served (Consumer) Rights
As a participant in the Fresno County Mental Health Plan you have the following rights:
- Ask for a provider who can communicate with you in your own language
- Whenever possible, receive mental health services at times and places which are convenient for you
- Be treated with courtesy, dignity and respect
- Be told what your diagnosis means and get answers to your questions
- Get a second opinion when your initial assessment shows no medical need for treatment
- Know the benefits, risks and costs of treatment before you give your permission for services
- Be told about other forms of treatment
- File a complaint or grievance about the services you receive or about the way you are treated
- Choose another person to represent you in the grievance process
- Have your mental health records and personal information kept private
- Have access to your mental health records
- Be told about program rules and changes
Grievance
Our goal is to provide the best quality of care for the persons we serve. If the problem you are having is financial or related to housing, contact the Patients’ Rights Advocate (559) 492-1652 If it is a concern about mental health services, then contact Managed Care.
If you are not satisfied with the mental health services you are receiving, you are encouraged to speak with your provider and their supervisor. They may be able to help you and address your concerns to your satisfaction in the quickest manner.
If after attempting to resolve your concerns with the provider or supervisor you are still not satisfied, you may file a grievance. Grievance forms are available at all mental health service sites. You may also call the FCMHP toll free line at 1 800 654-3937 for assistance in filing your grievance, or fill out the grievance form and mail to:
Fresno County Mental Health Plan
P.O. Box 45003
Fresno, California 93718-9886
If you use TTY, call 711 to reach the California Relay Service. Managed Care staff will work with you to resolve the grievance as quickly and simply as possible. You may also call the Patient’s Rights Advocate at (559) 492-1652 for assistance.
If you are still not satisfied, you may then request a State Fair Hearing. Forms to request a State Fair Hearing are available at all mental health service sites. You will receive a letter acknowledging your grievance within several days. There will be an investigation of your grievance and you will receive a written notice within 60 days.
Visit our Programs page for services offered.
If you have a Behavioral Health emergency
please call 9-1-1
For Access to Services or the Crisis Line,
1 800 654-3937
CalHOPE Warm Line
1 833 317-HOPE(4673)
Central Valley Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1 800 273-8255