About Us

Welcome

Here at the Division, we believe that behavioral health is an essential part of overall health and that together we can make a difference for those among us that suffer from the symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders. We know that prevention is effective, treatment works, and that individuals with a behavioral health condition can and do recover. Salt Lake County Behavioral Health Services works to ensure access to evidence-based treatment practices throughout the community and appropriate community-based services that provide support along the road to recovery and healing. The results of our efforts are improved outcomes for individuals and families, and a stronger and healthier community.

Please use the options available in the left navigation pane for further information regarding services in the community, provider resources, or to be able to contact the Division. You can also learn more about access to healthcare by selecting the Affordable Care Act link. For a list of upcoming events, announcements, network provider meetings, and training opportunities, please select the calendar link. You can also select the Salt Lake County Behavioral Health Map link to further investigate where service providers are located throughout the County, and to learn more about the provider network.

About

Salt Lake County's Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) is the administrative arm of the Local Authority (County Council), regarding public mental health and substance use disorder systems of care.

The Division oversees a managed-care system responsible for all publicly-funded behavioral health care services. This includes managing the county’s pre-paid (at-risk) $64 million dollar (FY16) behavioral health Medicaid plan for all county residents, as well as managing the Alternatives To Incarceration (ATI) programs.

The Division supports a comprehensive continuum of services, including:

• Prevention, health and wellness
• Crisis intervention
• Mental Health treatment
• Substance Use Disorder treatment
• Aftercare and recovery support (e.g., transitional housing, social support, employment, continued care, etc.)

The Division administers substance use prevention and treatment services in Salt Lake County under the direction of the Local Authority. These services constitute the largest alcohol and drug prevention and treatment program in the state of Utah.

While the Division does not treat clients itself, it utilizes a group of subcontracted treatment providers, located all throughout Salt Lake County, who are responsible for the care and treatment of county clients. Additionally, the Division subcontracts with the University of Utah's Assessment & Referral Services to perform assessments as well as to offer free interim group services for individuals who may have to await admission into treatment because of limited availability.

Similarly, the Division also subcontracts with school districts and other prevention providers to deliver universal, selected, and indicated prevention programs.

If you are seeking substance use disorder services for yourself or a loved one, you should read this: Effective Addiction Treatment

Definitions

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse has a range of definitions related to disapproval over use or overuse of mood altering substances. Substance abuse may lead to addiction or substance dependence. Medically, dependence requires the development of tolerance leading to withdrawal symptoms.

Substance Abuse Prevention

Prevention is an active, assertive process of creating conditions and promoting personal attributes that move individuals, families, and communities toward well-being.

Addiction

Addiction implies that a drug dependency has developed to such an extent that it has serious detrimental effects on the user (referred to as an addict). They may be chronically intoxicated, have great difficulty stopping the drug use, and be determined to obtain the drug by almost any means. The term addiction is inextricably linked to society's reaction to the user, and so medical experts try to avoid using it, preferring dependence instead.

Residential Treatment

Residential treatment is a level of care that entails that clients live (reside) within a treatment facility for a specified duration of care, which can range from several months to a year. There are three different levels of residential treatment. An assessment is completed by a licensed mental health therapist and is combined with input from the client, in order to determine the level of care recommended. Residential treatment programs usually include group and individual therapy sessions, and are staffed 24 hours a day. These centers are NOT lock-down facilities.

For a list of facilities that provide residential treatment, click here: Residential Providers

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is a level of care that allows for clients to live in their own home. They attend treatment at the treatment facility during the day to receive needs-specific services. The amount of treatment received per week can be as little as one hour, or as much as twenty hours. The total amount of hours any given client needs is determined by an assessment completed by a licensed mental health therapist, combined with input from the client.

For a list of facilities that provide outpatient treatment, click here: Outpatient Providers