Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health Programs: A Comprehensive Guide to Services and Support

Riverside University Health System (RUHS) Behavioral Health is dedicated to promoting mental health and overall well-being for individuals of all ages in Riverside County. They prioritize wellness, recovery, and resilience, offering a wide array of programs and services tailored to meet diverse needs. This article provides a detailed overview of the various programs available through RUHS Behavioral Health, outlining how to access these services and what to expect.

Adult Mental Health Services

RUHS Behavioral Health provides comprehensive services to adult individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental health problems. These services are designed to offer support and promote recovery.

Core Services Offered

Crisis Intervention: Immediate assistance during mental health emergencies.
Psychiatric Assessments: Comprehensive evaluations to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
Recovery Management: Personalized plans to support long-term recovery goals.
Medication Services: Management and monitoring of psychiatric medications.
Case Management: Coordination of care and support services to address individual needs.
Dual-Diagnosis Treatment: Integrated treatment for individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders.

Urgent Care Program

The Urgent Care Program offers immediate crisis resolution and problem-solving for individuals experiencing acute mental health distress. This program aims to provide timely support to de-escalate crises and connect individuals with appropriate resources.

Peer Support Services

Peer-to-peer recovery services are available through the clinics and contracted Peer Support and Resource Centers. These services provide a supportive environment where individuals can connect with others who have similar experiences, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding.

Full-Service Partnership (FSPs) Programs

FSPs provide intensive, 24/7 case management and support to homeless individuals with mental illness. These programs include:

Outreach to homeless mentally ill individuals
Housing assistance
Intensive case management

Mobile Crisis Response and Intervention

RUHS Behavioral Health offers several mobile crisis response and intervention teams designed to provide immediate support in the community.

Mobile Crisis Response Teams

These field-based teams consist of Clinical Therapists, Behavioral Health Specialists, and Peer Support Specialists. They collaborate with Law Enforcement, Emergency Department personnel, and community members to divert individuals in a behavioral health crisis to the appropriate level of care. The goals of these teams are to:

Decrease the need for inpatient hospitalizations
Reduce the amount of time that Law Enforcement and Emergency Department Personnel dedicate to individuals in a behavioral health crisis
Work with individuals of all ages and backgrounds

Mobile Case Management Teams

These teams are comprised of a Clinical Therapist, a Behavioral Health Specialist, a Substance Use Counselor, and a Peer Support Specialist. They specialize in:

Short-term case management
Crisis intervention
Substance use services and treatment
Peer Support Services

The teams work collaboratively with various community agencies to provide outreach, short-term therapy, substance use counseling, and case management services to individuals and their families, linking them to long-term services.

Community Behavioral Assessment Teams

These teams consist of a Clinical Therapist partnered with a Peace Officer from various Law Enforcement agencies throughout Riverside County. Their primary function is to provide mental health risk assessments to individuals in crisis who come to the attention of Law Enforcement. The teams:

Provide appropriate referrals based upon individual needs
Divert individuals to the lowest level of necessary care
Link individuals in crisis and those around them to supportive services
Strengthen the partnership and unity between the community, law enforcement, and behavioral health services

Behavioral Health Justice Intervention Services

Clinical Therapists are embedded within colleges and universities throughout Riverside County. They assist the school's public safety and student counseling services to support students and others on campus experiencing behavioral health emergencies and community resource requests.

Mental Health Urgent Cares (MHUC)

Mental Health Urgent Cares (MHUC) provide voluntary services in an easily accessible setting for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Individuals receiving support from the MHUCs can access a range of services, including:

Peer support
Psychiatric and therapeutic services
Substance use counseling
Case management
Crisis intervention services

The goal of MHUCs is to help individuals return to the community with support and decrease the need for inpatient hospitalizations.

Locations

MHUC Riverside: 9890 County Farm Rd, Bldg.
MHUC Perris: 85 Ramona Expressway, Ste.
MHUC Palm Springs: 2500 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Ste.

Children's Behavioral Health Services

RUHS Behavioral Health prioritizes the emotional and mental well-being of children and offers a range of services tailored to meet their unique needs.

First Episode Psychosis (FEP) Program

The FEP program provides early intervention for young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis, using evidence-based practices to improve long-term outcomes.

Read also: Riverside Preparatory Overview

Wraparound Services for In-Home Support

The Wraparound program offers intensive, in-home support designed to keep children in their homes while they receive care. This program involves close collaboration with families to create a comprehensive, personalized care plan.

Youth Connect for Seamless Reintegration

Youth Connect supports young people discharged from inpatient psychiatric care as they transition back into their everyday lives. This program provides comprehensive wraparound services to help ensure stability at home and in school.

Youth Hospital Intervention Program (YHIP)

YHIP offers intensive follow-up care for youth recently discharged from psychiatric hospitals or those at risk of hospitalization.

Eligibility

Any child or teenager up to 17 years of age facing emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges can access these services. Early intervention programs are also available for children under 5.

Confidentiality

All services are confidential, and your family's privacy is protected under HIPAA and the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act. Health information will only be shared with written consent.

Family Involvement

Family involvement is highly encouraged. Many programs are designed to support both the child and the family, offering opportunities to participate in family therapy, parent training, and more.

Eating Disorder Services: The Mindful Body and Recovery Program

RUHS Behavioral Health has launched the Eating Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program (ED-IOP) as part of the Mindful Body and Recovery Program. This initiative aims to establish best practices across the treatment continuum for eating disorders.

Goals of the ED-IOP

Enhance access to high-quality eating disorder services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries
Create opportunities for training practitioners in managing complex, higher levels of care
Serve as a hub for outreach and education for community members and families

Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses that cause people to experience severe disturbances in their eating behaviors in relation to their thoughts and emotions.

Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa: Characterized by an inability to sustain a normal healthy weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and a preoccupation with food, cooking, or dieting.
Bulimia Nervosa: Involves self-induced vomiting after binge-eating to avoid weight gain, a feeling of lack of control over eating, frequent bathroom use after meals, and engagement in vomiting, laxative, or exercise abuse.
Binge-Eating Disorder (BED): Defined by the consumption of very large amounts of food in a brief period, during which the person feels a loss of control over their eating, eating large amounts of food when not hungry, eating to cope with emotions, and showing signs of depression and withdrawal.
Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): A condition that limits food intake, not caused by a negative self-image or a desire to change body weight. Individuals with ARFID may lose interest in eating, feel anxious about the consequences of eating (like choking or vomiting), and avoid foods with unwanted color, taste, texture, or smell.

Treatment Approaches

Regular visits to a primary physician/pediatrician for physicals and check-ins.
Avoiding the use of food as medicine.
Seeking emotional support.
Utilizing evidence-based treatments, including Family-Based Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviews.
Adopting a multidisciplinary approach involving clinical staff, primary healthcare physicians, a psychiatrist, and a registered dietitian.
Practicing self-compassion throughout the journey.

Recognizing the Signs

Dramatic restriction of types or amount of food eaten.
Lack of appetite or interest in food.
Anxiety regarding weight, meal times, and social activities or gatherings.
Dramatic weight loss.
Denial of hunger.

Support for Families

F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders) offers support for families. They are located at the RUHS Perris Valley Community Health Center.

Community Needs

RUHS Behavioral Health has received an average of 70 eating disorder referrals per year. This figure represents individuals transitioning from higher levels of care, such as Residential Eating Disorder programs, Partial Hospitalization Programs, and Intensive Outpatient Programs.

How to Get Started

CARES Line

Call the confidential CARES Line at (800) 499-3008. This line is available 24/7, providing compassionate support and guidance.

Confidential Support

Your privacy is protected.

Need Immediate Assistance?

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the Inland SoCal 211+ Helpline at (951) 686-HELP (4357). This service is free, confidential, and allows you to remain anonymous. Trained counselors are available to provide support and resources.

Additional Information

Language Support

Services are available in multiple languages. Please indicate your preferred language when you call.

Accessibility

Facilities and services are accessible to people with disabilities.

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