Our County’s Crisis
San Luis Obispo County is facing a growing mental health crisis, felt most urgently among our youth.
According to the 2023 California Healthy Kids Survey, 42% of local 11th graders reported feeling depressed or hopeless, up from 29% just a decade ago. 18% seriously considered suicide in the past year, higher than the statewide average.
HOPE with I.A.N. was founded in loving memory of Ian Strain, our non profit exists to ensure that no family ever has to endure such a tragic loss without support, education, or meaningful connection. From its inception, this non-profit has carried forward Ian’s legcy – not in silence, but as a lasting light in the community. At the heart of its mission lies the goals to break mental health stigma, provide access to holistic, science-backed education, and build a foundation of mutual support for individuals and families facing mental health crisis.
The crisis doesn’t end with youth. Among local adults, the suicide rate is 15.5 per 100,000, well above the state average of 10.2. Yet fewer than half of those needing help actually receive care. Our mental health infrastructure is critically under-resourced, with only 5.8 inpatient psychiatric beds per 100,000 residents, just 12% of the national recommendation.
HOPE with I.A.N. is stepping in to fill the gap with community-based mental health education and early intervention. We’re launching a stigma-free outreach initiative modeled on the principles of the Nedley Depression and Anxiety Community Program, adapted for accessibility and local relevance.
Our approach is not treatment, it’s prevention, education, and connection. By offering practical tools, group support, and a safe space to talk about mental health, we aim to reach people before a crisis hits.
HOPE with I.A.N. Community Resource Directory
Find Support — Trusted Mental Health and Wellness Resources
Whether you’re in crisis, supporting someone who’s struggling, or looking to learn more, you’re not alone.
Below you’ll find trusted local, state, and national resources carefully selected to help you find the right kind of support, right when you need it.
Get Help Now — 24/7 Crisis and Emergency Support
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call or text 988 now.
Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Nationwide 24/7 suicide and crisis-prevention line connecting callers to trained counselors in their local area.
📞 988
🌐 988lifeline.org
Central Coast Hotline
Local 24/7 crisis and suicide-prevention line serving San Luis Obispo and North Santa Barbara Counties. Provides emotional support, safety planning, and referrals.
📞 1-800-783-0607
🌐 t-mha.org/central-coast-hotline.php
Teen Line
Peer-to-peer hotline for teens offering call, text, and chat support.
📞 1-800-852-8336
🌐 teenlineonline.org
The Trevor Project
24/7 crisis intervention and suicide-prevention support for LGBTQ+ youth.
📞 1-866-488-7386
🌐 thetrevorproject.org
Veterans Crisis Line
Specialized 24/7 support for veterans, service members, and their families.
📞 Dial 988, then press 1
🌐 veteranscrisisline.net
Arroyo Grande Community Hospital (AGCH)
Emergency department providing psychiatric stabilization and crisis intervention.
📞 805-489-4261
🌐 dignityhealth.org/central-coast/locations/arroyo-grande-memorial-hospital
French Hospital Medical Center (San Luis Obispo)
Emergency stabilization and psychiatric evaluations; transfers to county facilities as needed.
📞 805-543-5353
🌐 dignityhealth.org/central-coast/french-hospital
Twin Cities Community Hospital (Templeton)
Emergency psychiatric evaluations and stabilization services.
📞 805-434-3500
🌐 tenethealthcentralcoast.com/locations/twin-cities-community-hospital
SLO County Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF)
16-bed county psychiatric unit for adults and youth 12+; offers short-term inpatient stabilization and crisis care.
📞 1-800-838-1381
🌐 slocounty.ca.gov/behavioralhealth
Vista Del Mar Hospital (Ventura)
Private psychiatric hospital offering inpatient and outpatient programs for adults, adolescents, and seniors.
📞 805-653-6434
🌐 vistadelmarhospital.com
Find Support — Ongoing Care and Recovery
When the immediate crisis has passed, ongoing support helps individuals and families heal.
These programs offer treatment, recovery, and peer support for a stronger, more connected community.
Marian Regional Medical Center – Behavioral Health Unit
Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care for adults; includes partial-hospital and intensive-outpatient programs.
📞 805-739-3000
🌐 dignityhealth.org/centralcoast/locations/marianregional
Crestwood Behavioral Health (Santa Barbara County Contract Provider)
Crisis residential treatment and short-term stabilization for adults.
📞 916-442-1200
🌐 crestwoodbehavioralhealth.com
NAMI – San Luis Obispo County
Family and peer support, advocacy, and education for individuals affected by mental illness.
📞 805-543-4295
🌐 namislo.org
NAMI – Santa Barbara County
Peer and family education programs, support groups, and advocacy.
📞 805-884-8440
🌐 namisantabarbara.org
Al-Anon Family Groups
Peer-support meetings for families and friends of those affected by alcoholism.
🌐 al-anon.org
Nar-Anon Family Groups
Support groups for families and friends of individuals struggling with drug addiction.
🌐 nar-anon.org
Nedley Depression & Anxiety Recovery Program
Eight-week program teaching evidence-based tools for managing depression and anxiety.
📞 580-226-8007
🌐 nedleyhealth.com
Education, Prevention, and Youth Programs
Active Minds
Youth and college mental-health advocacy nonprofit with campus chapters nationwide.
📞 202-332-9595
🌐 activeminds.org
Every Brain Matters
National coalition raising awareness of cannabis-related mental health risks.
📞 832-492-4218
🌐 everybrainmatters.org
Friday Night Live (California)
Youth leadership program promoting healthy lifestyles and prevention education in schools and communities.
📞 916-324-7423
🌐 fridaynightlive.org
Johnny’s Ambassadors
Educational programs for parents, students, and schools addressing cannabis-induced psychosis and youth prevention.
📞 303-471-7401
🌐 johnnysambassadors.org
Peer Health Exchange
Peer-led workshops for teens covering mental health, substance use, and wellness.
📞 212-614-3200
🌐 peerhealthexchange.org
LivingWorks
Suicide-prevention training including ASIST, SafeTALK, and START programs.
📞 1-888-733-5484
🌐 livingworks.net
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Training program teaching how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges.
📞 1-888-244-8980
🌐 mentalhealthfirstaid.org
QPR Institute (Question, Persuade, Refer)
Practical, evidence-based suicide-prevention training for community members and professionals.
📞 1-888-726-7926
🌐 qprinstitute.com
Community Resources — Local and Statewide Support Networks
CalHOPE
Statewide trauma-response and resilience resource hub providing stress management, emotional support, and community referrals.
📞 833-317-4673
🌐 calhope.org
County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Department
County-operated services for mental health assessment, treatment, and crisis response.
📞 1-800-838-1381
🌐 slocounty.ca.gov/behavioralhealth
HOPE with I.A.N.
Community-based nonprofit organization providing mental health education, workshops, and peer support programs across the Central Coast.
🌐 hopewithian.org
Healing, Grief, and Postvention Support
AFSP – American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (Central Coast Chapter)
Survivor support, advocacy, and education; hosts Out of the Darkness walks and remembrance events.
📞 202-659-2900 (national)
🌐 afsp.org
Friends for Survival
National nonprofit offering peer-led support, education, and resources for suicide-loss survivors.
📞 916-392-0664
🌐 friendsforsurvival.org
LOSS Team (Local Outreach to Survivors of Suicide)
Volunteer-based outreach program providing peer and crisis support to families immediately after a suicide loss.
📞 1-800-838-1381
🌐 slocounty.ca.gov/behavioralhealth
Faith-Based and Spiritual Support
Local congregations, chaplains, and interfaith partners offer grief counseling and spiritual care.
Contact your local church, temple, or faith organization for support.
If You Need Immediate Help
Call or text 988, or in an emergency dial 911.
For local support, contact Central Coast Hotline at 1-800-783-0607 or SLO County Behavioral Health at 1-800-838-1381.
You are never alone — help, hope, and healing are always within reach.
Get Help Now
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Nationwide 24/7 suicide and crisis-prevention line connecting callers to trained counselors in their local area. 988 https://988lifeline.org
Central Coast Hotline Local 24/7 crisis and suicide-prevention line serving San Luis Obispo and North Santa Barbara Counties. Provides emotional support, safety planning, and referrals. 1-800-783-0607 https://www.t-mha.org/central-coast-hotline.php
Teen Line Peer-to-peer hotline for teens offering call, text, and chat support. 1-800-852-8336 https://teenlineonline.org
The Trevor Project 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide-prevention support for LGBTQ+ youth. 1-866-488-7386 https://www.thetrevorproject.org
Veterans Crisis Line Specialized 24/7 support for veterans, service members, and their families. Dial 988, then press 1 https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
Arroyo Grande Community Hospital (AGCH) Emergency department providing psychiatric stabilization and crisis intervention. 805-489-4261 https://www.dignityhealth.org/central-coast/locations/arroyo-grande-memorial-hospital
French Hospital Medical Center (San Luis Obispo) Emergency stabilization and psychiatric evaluations; transfers to county facilities as needed. 805-543-5353 https://www.dignityhealth.org/central-coast/french-hospital
Twin Cities Community Hospital (Templeton) Emergency psychiatric evaluations and stabilization services. 805-434-3500 https://www.tenethealthcentralcoast.com/locations/twin-cities-community-hospital
SLO County Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) 16-bed county psychiatric unit for adults and youth 12+; offers short-term inpatient stabilization and crisis care. 1-800-838-1381 https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/behavioralhealth
Vista Del Mar Hospital (Ventura) Private psychiatric hospital offering inpatient and outpatient programs for adults, adolescents, and seniors. 805-653-6434 https://vistadelmarhospital.com
Find Support
Marian Regional Medical Center – Behavioral Health Unit Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care for adults; includes partial-hospital and intensive-outpatient programs. 805-739-3000 https://www.dignityhealth.org/centralcoast/locations/marianregional
Crestwood Behavioral Health (Santa Barbara County Contract Provider) Crisis residential treatment and short-term stabilization for adults. 916-442-1200 https://www.crestwoodbehavioralhealth.com
NAMI – San Luis Obispo County Family and peer support, advocacy, and education for individuals affected by mental illness. 805-543-4295 https://namislo.org
NAMI – Santa Barbara County Peer and family education programs, support groups, and advocacy. 805-884-8440 https://namisantabarbara.org
Al-Anon Family Groups Peer-support meetings for families and friends of those affected by alcoholism. https://al-anon.org
Nar-Anon Family Groups Support groups for families and friends of individuals struggling with drug addiction. https://www.nar-anon.org
Nedley Depression & Anxiety Recovery Program Eight-week program teaching evidence-based tools for managing depression and anxiety. 580-226-8007 https://nedleyhealth.com
Learn & Connect
Active Minds-Youth and college mental-health advocacy nonprofit with campus chapters nationwide. 202-332-9595 https://www.activeminds.org
Every Brain Matters National coalition raising awareness of cannabis-related mental health risks. 832-492-4218 https://everybrainmatters.org
Friday Night Live (California) Youth leadership program promoting healthy lifestyles and prevention education in schools and communities. 916-324-7423 https://fridaynightlive.org
Johnny’s Ambassadors Educational programs for parents, students, and schools addressing cannabis-induced psychosis and youth prevention. 303-471-7401 https://johnnysambassadors.org
Peer Health Exchange Peer-led workshops for teens covering mental health, substance use, and wellness. 212-614-3200 https://peerhealthexchange.org
LivingWorks Suicide-prevention training including ASIST, SafeTALK, and START programs. 1-888-733-5484 https://www.livingworks.net
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training program teaching how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges. 1-888-244-8980 https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org
Learn & Connect QPR Institute (Question, Persuade, Refer) Practical, evidence-based suicide-prevention training for community members and professionals. 1-888-726-7926 https://qprinstitute.com
Community Resources
CalHOPE Statewide trauma-response and resilience resource hub providing stress management, emotional support, and community referrals. 833-317-4673 https://calhope.org
County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Department County-operated services for mental health assessment, treatment, and crisis response. 1-800-838-1381 https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/behavioralhealth
HOPE with I.A.N. Community-based nonprofit organization providing mental health education, workshops, and peer support programs across the Central Coast. https://www.hopewithian.org
After a Loss
AFSP – American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (Central Coast Chapter) Survivor support, advocacy, and education; hosts Out of the Darkness walks and remembrance events. 202-659-2900 https://afsp.org
Friends for Survival National nonprofit offering peer-led support, education, and resources for suicide-loss survivors. 916-392-0664 https://friendsforsurvival.org
LOSS Team (Local Outreach to Survivors of Suicide) Volunteer-based outreach program providing peer and crisis support to families immediately after a suicide loss. 1-800-838-1381 https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/behavioralhealth
Faith-Based and Spiritual Support Local congregations, chaplains, and interfaith partners offer grief counseling and spiritual care. Contact your local church, temple, or faith organization for support.
LOSS Team (Local Outreach to Survivors of Suicide) Volunteer-based outreach program providing peer and crisis support to families immediately after a suicide loss. 1-800-838-1381 https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/behavioralhealth
Faith-Based and Spiritual Support Local congregations, chaplains, and interfaith partners offer grief counseling and spiritual care. Contact your local church, temple, or faith organization for support.
You Are Not Alone on This Journey!!!