County’s Mental Health Department Will Launch ‘2025 Take Action’ Campaign Benefiting Pasadena Residents

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) will launch its 2025 Take Action for Mental Health L.A. County campaign today, an efoort which will offer important services to residents across the County, including Pasadena. The campaign begins with a kickoff event at St. Anne’s Conference and Event Center in Los Angeles at 1 p.m. on Monday and will preview nine countywide events scheduled throughout May for Mental Health Awareness Month.

“LACDMH has a special emphasis on addressing co-occurring mental health disorders and other health problems such as addiction,” notes Dr. Lisa H. Wong, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, who will be present at the upcoming campaign launch.

As the nation’s largest public mental health department, LACDMH directly operates more than 85 programs and contracts with numerous providers throughout Los Angeles County. With an annual budget exceeding $4 billion and over 7,400 budgeted positions, the department provides comprehensive services including assessments, case management, crisis intervention, medication support, peer support, and other rehabilitative services. These services are offered in multiple settings such as residential facilities, clinics, schools, hospitals, juvenile facilities, mental health courts, board and care homes, and even in people’s homes.

The campaign builds on previous successful initiatives. In past years, LACDMH has sponsored similar campaigns with events held locally, including expert panels at South Pasadena High School focusing on adolescent mental health and early intervention.

In addition, LACDMH provided recent support for Altadena and Pasadena residents during January’s wildfire emergencies. During those disasters, LACDMH deployed over 250 clinicians, community health workers, clinical pharmacists, and other staff who provided immediate and long-term recovery assistance at disaster recovery centers, evacuation centers, and repopulation centers in several locations including Pasadena. This support played a very important role as many evacuees had little notice before evacuation and were often missing medications, clothing, and personal items.

This year’s initiative features partnerships with major sports teams and media organizations including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Sparks, Los Angeles Football Club, Univision, and Meruelo Media. These collaborations aim to promote wellbeing, destigmatize mental illness, and raise awareness of available mental health resources.

Pasadena residents can access LACDMH’s 24/7 Help Line (800-854-7771) for support, resources, and referrals. The Help Line offers initial inquiries about any services provided by DMH, including requests for a psychiatric mobile response team. A dedicated option for emotional support operates from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Additionally, LACDMH recently launched iPrevail, a free app for on-demand mental health support.

Local mental health services are also available through the Pasadena Public Health Department’s Social and Mental Health Division, which provides case management services to eligible individuals in Pasadena and surrounding communities.

Numerous mental health-related services are available in Pasadena, including community mental health agencies accepting Medi-Cal health insurance, in-network and out-of-network mental health providers through private health insurance, and psychotherapists in private practice.

May has been recognized as Mental Health Month since 1949, with Mental Health America leading efforts to promote mental wellness during this time.