San Diego County reflects a complex and pressing behavioral health landscape. Both mental health challenges and substance use disorders affect thousands of residents and shape community needs, services, and outcomes. Understanding the scale of these issues is a critical first step toward effective support and intervention.
The Demand Across San Diego
Behavioral health services data from San Diego County show the scope of treatment engagement for mental health and substance use concerns. In the 2021–22 fiscal year, county programs recorded 24,304 unique episodes of substance use disorder services, involving 13,836 unique clients accessing support for addiction-related challenges. Many of these individuals also had co-occurring mental health diagnoses, over 42% of clients in these treatment settings had a mental health diagnosis alongside addiction care.
Although this data is specific to service users, it highlights the significant number of residents directly seeking behavioral health support.
Broader Prevalence Patterns (State and Regional Context)
While local prevalence estimates specific to all mental health diagnoses in San Diego County aren’t published in a single county summary, several indicators point to a widespread need:
- Statewide data suggest that substance use disorders affect a substantial portion of Californians, with roughly 17% of people aged 12 and older meeting criteria for a substance use disorder in recent years. San Diego County, as part of California’s larger population, reflects similar patterns.
- Local criminal justice research shows that about 40% of interviewed arrestees in San Diego reported a mental health diagnosis or psychiatric disorder, illustrating that mental health issues are common across diverse community contexts.
These findings mirror national patterns where broadly about one in three U.S. adults experiences a mental health condition annually. (For context, national surveys estimate 12-month prevalence of any mental disorder in the U.S. at over 30%.)
Co-occurring Conditions, Mental Health and Addiction Together
Mental health conditions and substance use disorders often go hand-in-hand. Research shows that many people with addiction also experience co-occurring mental health challenges, and vice-versa. For example, national analyses indicate that nearly one in six adults with mental illness also has a substance use disorder at the same time.
In San Diego’s treatment programs, significant overlap between mental health diagnoses and addiction services underscores this reality at a local scale.
Why This Matters Locally
Every number represents a resident navigating real struggles:
- People in need of therapy, psychiatry, or crisis intervention but facing barriers like provider shortages and access gaps. (Recent local reporting notes a shortage in behavioral health professionals and ongoing investments to expand capacity.)
- Individuals experiencing homelessness, who are statistically more likely to have mental health and addiction challenges. While point-in-time counts indicate almost 10,000 unhoused individuals in the county in 2025, many face compounded behavioral health needs.
- Families and communities working to support loved ones through recovery, stabilization, and long-term wellness.
Moving Forward: Care, Access, and Hope
San Diego County has a wide array of mental health and substance use treatment services, including county clinics, community organizations, crisis lines, and specialty programs designed to address diverse needs.
However, the sheer number of people affected underscores why behavioral health remains a county priority, with ongoing efforts to improve access, expand services, and reduce stigma around seeking help.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction in San Diego, support is available. Contact local providers, access county behavioral health resources, or reach out to national hotlines such as 988 for immediate assistance.
