CalMatters, CA mental health phone line faces steep budget cuts

As California grapples with a $12 billion budget deficit, that state’s peer-run phone service that provides free 24/7 mental health support to thousands of residents across the state could face deep funding cuts, or even a shutdown.

The California Peer Run Warm Line — which is different from 911 and the federal 988 mental health crisis line because it is intended for non-emergencies — receives an average of 20,000 calls, texts and chats a month from people seeking emotional support and mental health resources. In May, during mental Mental Health Awareness Month, the line received more than 40,000 calls and messages.

The Mental Health Association of San Francisco, or MHASF, oversees the line. It received funding in 2019 during the pandemic to expand its services statewide. From 2022 to 2025, the line operated on a total budget of $40 million, says CEO Mark Salazar. For the next three years, it has requested $15 million a year in renewed funding, or $45 million through 2028 — with most of the money going towards paying personnel.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest budget plan, however, allocates $5 million in 2025-26 and beyond for the line. Because the funding wasn’t initially included in the governor’s January budget proposal, the money “reflects an increase,” according to Newsom spokesperson Elana Ross.

But with an annual budget of $5 million, Salazar says the service may have to cut its staff from 160 to 20. The phone service estimates that it saves Californians millions of dollars in health care costs by reducing callers’ visits to the emergency room or urgent care, while also freeing up resources for emergency responders.

Lori Padilla, a Central Valley resident who has worked at the line as a counselor for more than two years, says most calls during her overnight shift are from people who are experiencing loneliness, anxiety, panic attacks or chronic pain. 

• Padilla: “I actually called the warm line a couple of times and went to the support groups at MHASF. The two together really changed my life. … It was just so refreshing to have someone on the other end of the phone that cared and actually listened.”

The line’s funding woes come during a time when California police departments are scaling back their own responses to mental health crisis calls. In addition to the state budget shortfall, California mental health services are in jeopardy due to Congress’ proposal to gut Medicaid spending by $700 billion.