In recent years, San Diego County has been undergoing a major transformation in how it addresses the needs of individuals living with mental health disorders, substance use challenges, and homelessness.
This shift reflects a broader awareness of behavioral health as both a health care and social issue, as highlighted by Luke Bergman, the outgoing director of San Diego County’s Behavioral Health Services.
During his time in this role, Bergman has overseen a significant increase in the department’s budget from around half a billion dollars to an estimated 1.2 billion dollars, marking a commitment to improving services and resources.
Bergman emphasized the importance of broadening the definition of behavioral health to encompass both mental health and substance use disorders, which have historically been treated as separate entities.
image source from：https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/kpbs-midday-edition/how-san-diego-county-behavioral-health-has-changed
