The County of San Diego is preparing to cut the ribbon Monday on its newest Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), and the first located in East County. The 14,000‑square‑foot behavioral health treatment facility is located at the corner of S. Magnolia and West Douglas avenues in El Cajon.
CSUs offer 24/7 support and treatment for people experiencing a psychiatric or substance use emergency. They provide a calm, safe environment where individuals can receive immediate care, stabilize and connect with services that support ongoing treatment.
Because CSUs are community‑based, they offer a more effective option for urgent behavioral health care than emergency departments, hospitals or jails. Individuals can stay for up to 24 hours.
The new $28 million El Cajon CSU was built on County‑owned property and will become the eighth CSU serving the region. It is part of the County’s broader investment in expanding behavioral health infrastructure, which also includes the Behavioral Health Wellness Campus on Rosecrans.