The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) was passed by California voters in 2004 and funded by a 1% income tax on personal income over $1 million per year. It was designed to expand and transform California’s behavioral health system to better serve individuals with, and at risk of, serious mental health issues, and their families. In 2024, voters passed Proposition 1, which replaced the MHSA with the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and introduced several important changes for counties.
The goal of MHSA is to reduce the long-term negative impact on individuals and families resulting from untreated serious mental illness. Sacramento County is committed to upholding the
MHSA General Standards to ensure that through MHSA-funded activities, counties work collaboratively with their communities to create culturally competent, client and family driven mental health services.
MHSA General Standards
Community Services & Supports (CSS): Direct services and supports for children, transition age youth (TAY), adults and older adults, and their families, with the most serious mental health needs.
Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI): Prevention services to promote wellness and prevent the development of mental health problems, and early intervention services to screen and intervene in early signs of mental health issues.
Innovation (INN): New approaches that may improve access, collaboration, and/or service outcomes for all mental health consumers, with a focus on unserved, underserved, and inappropriately served populations.
Capital Facilities & Technologies Needs (CF/TN): Infrastructure development to support the implementation of the technological infrastructure and appropriate facilities to provide mental health services.
Workforce Education & Training (WET): Support to build, retain, and train a competent public mental health workforce.
Email: MHSA@saccounty.gov
Telephone: (916) 875-6472
