The Crisis Services Division at Kern BHRS offers hope, support, and resources to help individuals in our community begin their recovery journey. There are several ways to get your or a loved one connected to services.

Call 911 if the situation is a life-threatening emergency

Access & Assessment Center

For non-crisis situations, the Access and Assessment Center serves as the central point of contact for adults for the KernBHRS System of Care. Once a person comes in, our staff will conduct an assessment to determine your specific needs and connect you to the best treatment provider as well as any needed community resources.

Routine screenings and assessments for minors are not provided at Mary K. Shell Mental Health Center. For information about how to access non-emergency mental health services for minors, call the Crisis Hotline at 1 (800) 991-5272.

The Access & Assessment Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Mary K. Shell Mental Health Center. For more information, call (661) 868-8123.

Psychiatric Evaluation Center/Crisis Stabilization Unit

The Psychiatric Evaluation Center/Crisis Stabilization Unit (PEC/CSU) provides immediate treatment for adults and minors going through a mental health crisis. It is also serves as Bakersfield’s only designated non-EMS involuntary psychiatric evaluation facility.

Its goal is to help a person through their immediate crisis and connect them to the right follow-up resources, which may include a referral to a higher level of care.

The PEC/CSU cannot write or fill prescriptions and does not provide medical services. PEC/CSU is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Crisis Hotline

1-800-991-5272

The KernBHRS 24-hour Crisis Hotline acts a warmline for mental health/substance use concerns and provides a safe outlet for callers to voice/vent any frustrations with a trained hotline counselor without any judgement. All calls are free and completely confidential. Callers can also be linked to appropriate mental health and/or substance use disorder services as well as needed community resources.

Mobile Crisis Response

988 or (661) 868-8200

Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) is made up of behavioral health professionals that offer immediate access to behavioral health services, substance use services, and crisis support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. These services are available to people of all ages, and in any language.

Telecommunications Relay Service

Options for deaf and hard of hearing: For TTY users, use your preferred relay service or dial 711, then 1-800-991-5272.