Could there be a Possible Shortage of Psychiatric Hospital Beds in Sacramento County?

As the demand for mental health treatment grows, the lack of psychiatric hospital beds in Sacramento County may become concerning. Stay up to date on how SB-43 and other pending mental health laws may affect access to care for those in need. 

#mentalhealth #SacramentoCounty

Meeting the needs of those with mental health conditions requires the necessary infrastructure of psychiatric beds. With a population of 1,584,196 according to the most recent United States census, Sacramento County has less than 700 Psychiatric Hospital Beds available for individuals in need of mental health treatment. This shortage of resources has led to significant challenges in providing adequate care for those struggling with mental illness. With a growing population and increased awareness of mental health issues, the demand for psychiatric services has only continued to rise. As a result, many individuals are left without access to the care they desperately need, leading to negative consequences for both those individuals and the community as a whole.

The estimate of less than 700 psychiatric hospital beds is based on the following facilities: Heritage Oaks Hospital with 125 beds, Sierra Vista Hospital with 171 beds, Sacramento County Mental Health Hospital with 50 beds, Crestwood Center Sacramento Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) with 16 beds, Crestwood Behavioral Health Center Carmichael (PHF) with 16 beds, Sutter Center for Psychiatry with 73 beds, Sacramento Behavioral Healthcare Hospital with 117 beds, HOPE Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) with 16 beds, Sacramento County Jail Psychiatric Services with 17 Bed Acute Psychiatric Unit, and VA Behavioral Health Intensive Care Unit with 16 beds. This data suggests that the total number of psychiatric hospital beds in Sacramento County is likely less than 700.

The lack of psychiatric hospital beds in Sacramento County has had a direct impact on the mental health of its residents. Many individuals experiencing a mental health crisis are unable to receive timely treatment, leading to worsening symptoms and increased risk of harm to themselves or others. This shortage of resources has also placed added strain on local emergency rooms, as individuals in crisis often end up seeking care in these settings due to the lack of available psychiatric beds. This not only delays treatment for those in need but also contributes to overcrowding and increased wait times in emergency departments.

Furthermore, the shortage of psychiatric hospital beds has also had implications for law enforcement and the criminal justice system. In many cases, individuals in the midst of a mental health crisis end up being arrested and placed in jail due to the unavailability of psychiatric beds. This not only exacerbates the individual's mental health issues but also places a burden on the criminal justice system, which is ill-equipped to adequately address the complex needs of individuals struggling with mental illness. This cycle of incarceration and lack of proper treatment only serves to perpetuate the cycle of mental health crises and involvement with the criminal justice system.

In order to address the psychiatric bed shortages in Sacramento County, there is a need for increased funding and resources for mental health services. This includes investing in community-based services, crisis intervention teams, and alternative placement options for individuals in need of psychiatric care. By expanding access to mental health treatment and support services, crises can be prevented from escalating and provide individuals with the care they need to thrive. Additionally, collaboration between mental health providers, law enforcement, and community organizations is essential to creating a more comprehensive and effective system of care for individuals struggling with mental illness. Only by all working together that they can address the shortage of psychiatric hospital beds and provide better outcomes for those in need of mental health treatment in Sacramento County.



https://data.census.gov/all?q=Sacramento%20County,%20California 

https://dhs.saccounty.gov/PUB/Documents/Public-Health-Advisory-Board/PHAB-Meeting-Documents/2022/Presentations/Adult%20Psychiatric%20Bed%20Capacity%20Need%20and%20Shortage%20Estimates%20in%20California%202021.pdf

https://heritageoakshospital.com/

https://sierravistahospital.com/

https://norcalbehavioral.com/sacramento-location/

https://sacramentohopecenter.com/

https://crestwoodbehavioralhealth.com/location/carmichael/

https://crestwoodbehavioralhealth.com/location/sacramentoca/

https://www.va.gov/northern-california-health-care/locations/sacramento-va-medical-center/

https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/CHA-Psych-Bed-Data-Report-Sept.-2018.pdf


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