Resources

California & National Mental Health Resources

Help is available! Find easy access to California and national mental health and suicide prevention resources by using the links provided here. If you or someone you care about is experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis, please call the Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240. Trained and experienced counselors are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to provide support, referrals, and crisis intervention. You can also call the Access and Crisis Line if you are concerned about someone, just need to talk, have questions about how to offer support, or if you are looking for information about community resources, mental health referrals, and alcohol and drug support services. If emergency medical care is needed, call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.

  • Live Your Life Well Campaign:
    This website, sponsored by Mental Health America, offers comprehensive and useful tips and tools to live a healthy and well balanced life. Topics range from stress reduction to the importance of sleep, among many others.

  • Each Mind Matters:
    California’s Mental Health Movement. The website offers a range of educational resources and information about mental health, as well as a resource catalog with outreach and media materials to promote mental health in English, Spanish and various other languages.   Californians can get involved by taking a pledge, sharing personal stories and wearing a lime green ribbon- the color of mental health awareness.

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
    This website offers comprehensive information on mental disorders, their symptoms, treatments, as well as opportunities to get involved in the fight against mental illness. It also enables online communities to connect with other people interested in these issues.

    • NAMI California is the California chapter and their website offers education and information about statewide initiatives.

  • Know the Signs

    Know the Signs is California’s suicide prevention social marketing campaign, intended to educate Californians how to know the warning signs of suicide, how to find the words to have a direct conversation with someone in crisis and where to reach out to find professional help and resources. Visit the Know the Signs website.

  • Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
    This website offers research, resources and publications related to mental illness, mental health, substance abuse, prevention, treatment and recovery.

  • Mood Letter:
    This website is a good source of information on depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, including articles for patients and family members, tips on recognizing symptoms, information on treatment options and much more.

  • Helpguide.org:
    Helpguide’s mission is to help people understand, prevent and resolve many of life’s challenges by providing knowledge and hope. Their goal is to give individuals the information and encouragement they need to take charge of their health, well-being and make healthy choices. The website provides comprehensive information for mental and emotional health; family and relationships; healthy living; and seniors and aging.

  • Beyond Blue:
    This website provides very comprehensive information on depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, as well as a special section on postnatal depression. Each section includes warning signs, screening tools and an explanation of treatment options. In addition, the website features a link to information focused on youth.

  • Facing Us:
    This very interactive website is sponsored by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance and features information about the impact and management of mental illnesses. Online tools include journaling, a wellness plan and a wellness tracker. Individuals can also send e-postcards and check out the creativity center.

  • California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions:
    The California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) promotes excellence in mental health services through training, technical assistance, research and policy development. The website provides a searchable database for mental health services throughout the state, information, policy updates and new developments in treatment options for mental health.

  • Families for Depression Awareness:
    A national nonprofit organization helping families recognize and cope with depressive disorders to get people well and prevent suicides. The website includes profiles of families and experts and an online depression wellness analyzer to help people with depression and their families actively monitor their treatment.

  • Speak Our Minds:
    This online resource provides a searchable database for locating speakers as well as tools to help public speakers incorporate stigma and discrimination-related information into their presentations.

  • Hike for Mental Health:
    The mission of this nonprofit is to increase public awareness of the challenges and suffering faced by those afflicted by mental illness and their families. Visit the website to learn how you can volunteer, join a hike, lead a hike or sponsor a hiker.

  • Disability Rights California:
    Helps with mental health parity issues by providing counsel and advice, technical assistance to file complaints, and direct representation in select cases raising systemic issues.

    • For legal assistance call (800) 776-5746

    • For all other purposes call (916) 504-5800 in Northern CA or (213) 213-8000 in Southern CA