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Health and Nursing Services » Mental Health Services

Mental Health Services

The South Bay Union School District provides mental health supports to students through district resources as well as collaboration with community agencies. 

School Psychologists

  • The district employs 14 credentialed School Psychologists who are trained to assess student’s needs through a suicide risk assessment or threat assessment, if the student is displaying behavior that is dangerous to themselves or others. (See attached contact information)
  • School Psychologists may refer families to behavioral health service providers (such as Access and Crisis Line and the PERT Team), when a student demonstrates a level of risk. (See attached contact & referral information)
  • School Psychologists may provide individual or group counseling based on student’s needs indicated in the SST or IEP process. 
  • School Psychologists may refer students to an outside agency with whom the district contracts with for referral services; South Bay Community Services and Family Forces (specifically for military families). Both agencies can be accessed through school referrals and may provide individual and family counseling. (See attached contact & referral information)
  • For special education students, the school Psychologists may assess and implement Educationally Related Mental Health Services for students who demonstrate a need for mental health supports. 

Social Worker

  • The district employs one School Social Worker who implements Educationally Related Mental Health Services for special education students who demonstrate an assessed need through the Social Emotional Academic Support program (SEAS). This may include individual, group and family counseling

Community Agency Mental Health Supports

South Bay Community Services 

  • South Bay Community Services (SBCS) a comprehensive range of services and programs for students who have Medi-Cal.
  • The contact person regarding referrals is:

Valerie Centeno, Program Director – Children’s Mental Health

619-420-3620

  • When placing the referral, it is helpful to indicate the intensity of need (low/medium or high), so they can process the referral accordingly. 
  • See attached referral forms

Family Forces, Mental Health Systems 

  • Family Forces provides counseling services to students who are in Military families.
  • The contact person regarding referrals: Nitela Shehu, Program Manager: 858-277-7907  

Access & Crisis Line

  • 1-888-724-7240
  • This is a 24 hr./day, 7day per week crisis line for acute issues

211

Call 211 for all resources in San Diego County or visit 211.org.  This is a confidential help center that can offer referrals for a variety of needs.