MH First

It’s okay to ask for help. Call or text 510-999-9641, Wednesday through Sunday, 8pm to 12am for help with:
- Mental health support
- Domestic violence safety planning
- Substance use and de-stigmatization
- General support and local resources

We are Mental Health First, a community powered, non-police crisis response line supporting Oakland and Sacramento. We lead with the principle that police should not be involved when responding to a crisis unless asked by mental health responders as a last resort. Crisis response services should support people through quality follow up and on-going care regardless of their ability to pay.

Our purpose is to interrupt and eliminate the need for law enforcement in mental health crisis first response. For more information visit www.antipoliceterrorproject.org/mh-first

2 in 5 people who are incarcerated have a history of mental illness. Our purpose is to interrupt and eliminate the need for law enforcement in mental health crisis first response by providing peer support, de-escalation assistance, and non-punitive and life-affirming interventions. Because no one can get well in a cell!

Call or text 510-999-9641, Wednesday through Sunday, 8pm to Midnight for mental health support and crisis response that does not involve carceral punishment.

“America’s jails and prisons have become de-facto mental health providers, at great cost to the well-being of people with mental health conditions.” - National Alliance on Mental Illness

If someone you know needs help navigating the carceral system, reach out to for more resources.

70% of youth in the American juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health condition. Youth in detention are also 10 times more likely to suffer from psychosis than youth in the community. Kids don’t need cages, they need community care!

Find the support and resources you need to keep a young person from being part of that 70% by contacting MH First, Wednesday through Sunday, 8pm to Midnight at 510-999-9641.

If you need help outside our hours of operation, you can also find resources:
- In our MH First Sacramento Resource Guide: bit.ly/APTPSacSupport
- By calling the California Coalition for Youth Crisis Line at 1 (800) 843-5200 (24/7 hotline for youth ages 12-24 and their families).
- Contacting Allcove Sacramento (916) 313-7080 or [email protected] (Resource center for youth in Oak Park)
- Visiting The Creation District www.thecreationdistrict.com/ (Safe, creative and educational space for Sacramento youth, especially those facing housing insecurity)

At least 116 people were killed by police in response to a mental health crisis in 2025 (US).* Implementing alternative responses to mental health crises, intimate partner violence, and wellness checks would drastically reduce the number of community members murdered by police each year. That is why we do the work we do, to be that alternative. Call or Text 510-999-9641, Wednesday through Sunday, 8pm to Midnight for mental health support and crisis response that does not involve police.

It is important that people know the lethal risk of law enforcement response to mental health crises so that other solutions and responses can be found. For mental health support resources in Sacramento county, use our MH First Resource Guide: bit.ly/APTPSacSupport.

*(Statistic based on Mapping Police Violence: policeviolencereport.org)

Did you know that 1 in 5 adults experience a mental illness each year in the US? In 2025, there were 6,665,000 Californians living with a mental health condition. These numbers prove that struggling with mental health is far more common than many people believe.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If you or someone you love struggles with mental health, know that you are not alone. And know that we are here for you. Call or text our Mental Health First Line at 510-999-9641, 8pm to 12am, Wednesday through Sunday for mental health support and crisis response that does not involve police. Because asking for help should be met with care and empathy, not violence and scrutiny.

Statistics based on 2025 data from the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI).