Need help for an adult with mental illness?

Need to know

The Public Guardian can be appointed by the court to manage the property, finances, and personal care needs of individuals who are substantially unable to provide for themselves due to mental illness.
Conservatorship is a legal process and must be court ordered.
A court ordered conservatorship is a last resort.
The Public Guardian can only accept referrals for a mental health conservatorship from a designated psychiatric facility.
After such a referral is received, the Public Guardian will investigate to determine if a conservatorship is needed.

If you are concerned about an adult with mental illness, please review the following steps to determine the appropriate agency to contact to receive information and assistance.
You will need to gather any relevant medical and psychiatric information about the individual, including any safety concerns, prior to your call.

If this is a medical emergency, please call 911.
If this is about psychiatric crisis about someone in crisis, please call Marin Crisis Response Team 415-473-6392.
If this is about accessing Marin County Behavioral Health Services, please call the Access Line 888-818-1115.
For further information regarding conservatorship, please visit the Public Guardian's office information page.
f you then have further questions regarding conservatorship, contact the Public Guardian's office at 415-473-2870. Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30.
If you’d like more information about CARE Court, as an alternative to a conservatorship, please visit the Marin County Superior Court.

What's next content

The appropriate agency will follow up regarding your concerns and outline possible next steps.
If you have called the Public Guardian's office, we will respond to your phone call and advise you.