Mental Healthcare

What we think, how we feel, and how we act all impact our physical health. The flip side of that is also true: our physical health can impact what we think, feel, and do.

It is important to take care of all parts of ourselves – our brains, bodies, thoughts, and feelings.

If you are feeling anxious, sad, or isolated, you’re not alone. These feelings are common. For when we need more support, mental and behavioral health care providers can help us build skills for resilience, provide a safe, supportive, and trusting relationship to discuss worries, and provide treatment for mental health issues.

Read the Mental Healthcare handout

Experiencing a crisis? See these crisis and safety resources.

Crisis and Safety Resources

Resources

Want tips and tools to help support your mental health? Here are resources that provide articles, videos, and audio tools.

Things You Can Do Right Now

Grounding Exercises: Using Your 5 Senses for Anxiety Relief (Pysch Central)
Write down your thoughts: Journaling (Pysch Central)
Practicing Gratitude Resources (CDC Heal Right Now)
How Creating A Sense of Purpose Can Impact Your Mental Health (article in Psychology Today)
Stress Health: Mental Health (Center for Youth Wellness)

For General Mental Health Resources and Information

How Right Now: A resource by the CDC to provide tools, resources, and links for support
Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) provides a phone hotline, programs that center Black mental health and healing, a black wellness directory, and wellness tools.
The Trevor Project provides a chat/text/phone hotline, resource center, and an online community space for LGTBQ+ people.
Mental Health First Aid resources
Mental health (California Virtual Training Academy Resources)

For a Wide Variety of Support and Services in Your Local Area

findhelp.org: Type in your city or zip code to find resources near you
www.211.org: Call, text, or type in your city or zip code to find resources near you
calhope.org: Free mental health resources, including a peer warm line and live chat

For More Information about Getting Mental Health Assistance

Obtaining mental health assistance in California
- Find your county mental health crisis intervention number here
- Here is a list of state programs from the California Department of Health Care Services, Behavioral Health
Find treatment for substance use:
- Use findtreatment.gov from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Use these Substance Use County Access Lines
- Shatterproof Treatment Atlas: Identify the appropriate type of addiction treatment that meets your needs, and locate a high-quality facility.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) free helpline
- Monday – Friday 7am to 7pm
- 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
- Crisis Text Line – Text NAMI to 741-741
Specific trauma therapies:
- Learn about Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and find a therapist.
- Learn about Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy (EMDR), and find a therapist.

For Kids and Parents

Sesame Street has resources and videos for children who have had traumatic experiences.
Learn more about child trauma at the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Learn about Child Parent Psychotherapy, and find a therapist.
Learn about Parent Child Interaction Therapy, and find a provider.
Check out the US Surgeon General’s Advisory, “Protecting Youth Mental Health” with a wealth of information on what young people, family members, and caregivers can do to help.
For parenting stress support:
- The California Department of Social Services provides a Parent Resource Page
- California Parent & Youth Helpline: Call or text 855-427-2736

Download the complete set of Stress Busters handouts.