Town Hall Sept 28: Adolescent Mental Health

Dear Friends,

I invite you to join me for a virtual Town Hall focused on adolescent mental health. I have invited a panel of experts to share how to help adolescents struggling with emerging mental illness get the diagnoses and treatments they need. Additionally, we will discuss how to identify and address common stressors in a young person’s life so that they do not escalate into mental health crises. 

I have assembled an expert panel for this vitally important discussion: Hon. Marico Sayoc, Executive Director of Counseling and Support Services for Youth (CASSY) and Former Mayor of Los Gatos; Mary Cheryl B. Gloner, MBA, MPH, Chief Executive Officer of Project Safety Net; David J. Miklowitz, Ph.D., Director of the Max Gray Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program at UCLA's Semel Institute; and Hon. Chelsea Bonini, San Mateo County Board of Education Trustee and San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commissioner.

 

A Virtual Town Hall

"Mind Matters: Nurturing Mental Wellness in Adolescents"

Wednesday, September 28th

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

 

 

I also want to acknowledge that September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicidal thoughts often are the result of untreated underlying mental illness. If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek immediate help: National Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 9-8-8

 

Resources

 

National

  • National Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 9-8-8
  • Crisis Text Line: Text "BAY" or "RENEW" to 741741
  • Trevor Project

California

Local (San Mateo County)

  • Free access to Calm app through San Mateo County Libraries
  • NAMI San Mateo County: 1730 S. Amphlett Blvd, Suite 308 San Mateo, CA 94402 650-638-0800 / e-Fax: 650-240-3804 nami@namisanmateo.org www.namisanmateo.org Office Hours: 9am-5pm, M-F (by appt.)
  • StarVista Youth SOS: The Youth Stabilization, Opportunity and Support (S.O.S.) Team is a 24/7 mobile crisis response team of service to any child or youth under the age of 25 that is experiencing an escalation in mental health symptoms within San Mateo County. The Youth S.O.S. Team response includes two response teams that will overlap during a 12-hour response time each day. Those teams are comprised of a mental health clinician and a family partner. The family partner’s role is to help support the family as well as the youth in crisis and assist with resource linkages. The Youth S.O.S. team is publicly accessible by calling the 24/7 hotline, 650-579-0350.
  • BHC Youth Services Committee’s Youth Action Board (YAB), created in 2022 - Highlighting, empowering and honoring the voices of our youth and their experiences with Mental Health and Mental Illness. The YAB's mission is simple: bring youth voice, youth lived experiences and youth power to county mental and behavioral health decision-making tables. This is an opportunity for young people (ages 14-21) who are fiercely committed to healing, empowering and inspiring the health of emerging generations through thought partnership, visibility and creative action. Read the full YAB description and about the YAB in their 2022 application here.
  • SafeSpace is a youth-led, mental health-focused organization that empowers young people to engage openly with their local schools and communities. We create and implement initiatives to change the conversation around mental health by educating and encouraging our peers to speak up, support others, and seek help when needed.
  • Teen Mental Health First Aid: Sylvia Tang; The Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) course is an 6-8-hour public education training program designed for any adult working with or assisting young people, ages 12-18. The course focuses on how to help a young person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.
  • Wysa APP: Wysa is a wellness app that can help you get your wellness back on track. San Mateo County is offering free subscriptions to Wysa, available 24×7, anytime, anywhere. Wysa is anonymous and guides you through mindfulness and over 150+ self-care tools. https://helpathandca.org/san-mateo/ Link for 15-25yo’s - Access Code: smctay
  • Suicide Crisis Hotlines:
    • Phone: 650-579-0350 – San Mateo County 24/7 Crisis Hotline
    • Teen Text Line: 650-747-6463
    • Teen Chat
  • LGBTQ+ Services San Mateo County Pride Center:

 Local (Santa Clara County)

  • Suicide and Crisis Hotline: The Suicide & Crisis Hotline operates 24-hours, 7 days a week: 1-855-278-4204.
  • Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRTs) (Adults): The Mobile Crisis Response Teams continue to screen and assess crisis situations over the phone and, when needed, deliver crisis intervention services at locations throughout Santa Clara County. Call the Mobile Crisis Response Team at 1-800-704-0900, Monday through Friday, from 8am to 8pm; select option #2 to request a Mobile Crisis Response Team member. If you experience a mental health crisis outside those hours, call 1-800-704-0900. A clinician is available 24 hours, 7 days per week to assess the situation and connect you to appropriate services.
  • Uplift Family Services' Mobile Crisis Team: The Uplift Family Services' Mobile Crisis Team provides 24-hour intervention for children and teens in the community who are in acute psychological crisis. To access the 24-hour/7 days a week crisis line call 1-408-379-9085, or call toll-free 1-877-41-CRISIS or 1-877-412-7474.
  • Alum Rock Counseling Center’s Mobile Crisis Response & Counseling (MCRC): A 24/7 mobile community response support line.  To access, call 1 (408) 294-2451. Staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with trained, linguistically and culturally sensitive and compassionate professionals. Provides de-escalation, stabilization and resource referrals to youth and families in immediate crisis situations.
  • Bill Wilson Center’s SOS Crisis Hotline: A 24/7 crisis hotline that serves youth 5-17 in Santa Clara County who may be experiencing behavioral crisis. To access call 1 (408) 278-2585. Staffed by trained, compassionate and culturally sensitive staff who answer calls from parents, teachers, and community support persons for children and youth who are experiencing an immediate behavioral or mental health escalation or crisis. Provides an urgent phone or in-person response to help de-escalate and stabilize the situation.
  • Community Solutions' SOS Crisis Hotline: 24-Hour Youth & Family Crisis Line South Santa Clara County.  To access call: 1 (408) 683-4118  Part of the Community Solutions' SOS Program. The SOS program serves Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and the surrounding areas.
  • Mental Health Services Call Center: The Call Center operates 24-hours, 7 days per week: 1-800-704-0900 (TTY: 1-800.855.7100 or 711). The Center will make referrals to available community services. If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge.
  • Substance Use Services Call Center: Substance Use Services Call Center (formerly Gateway Call Center) operations operates Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm. Call 1-800-488-9919. Callers will be referred to Detoxification and Residential Treatment services and to an available community out-patient program. After hours calls requesting Detoxification or Residential services will be forwarded and handled through the Residential Provider Network allowing for continued placement 24/7.
  • Mental Health Urgent Care: Anyone with urgent psychiatric or medication needs should go to the Mental Health Urgent Care Center, a walk-in outpatient clinic for Santa Clara County residents who are experiencing behavioral health crisis and need help. The Mental Health Urgent Care Center is open from 8am to 10pm daily and is located at 871 Enborg Court, Unit 100, in San Jose.

Other Resources

Policy

 

Local Support Groups Meetings

Monday

  • NAMI Cordilleras MHR Center Family Group
    • Meets 1st Monday of the month (2nd if 1st is a holiday) from 6:30-8pm. Facilitators: Karina & Joan.
    • To register, email: cordilleras6765@gmail.com
  • NAMI Parents of Youth & Young Adults (ages 6-26)
  • NAMI Connection for Peers 18 & Over
  • Café para Padres
    • Último Martes de cada mes. Clinica Shasta, Contacte a Yolanda Ramirez al 650-599-1047.

Tuesday

  • NAMI South County Family Support Group
    • Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month (in-person only) from 6-7:30pm. South County Behavioral Health clinic at 802 Brewster, RWC.
    • Drop-ins welcomed, masks are required. Facilitators: Pat Way & Liz Downard, RN.
    • To register, email: southcountyNFSG@gmail.com
  • NAMI Spanish-Speaking Family Support Group
    • (Redwood City) Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30pm.
    • To register, email: csaggese@smcgov.org or call 650-573-2673.
  • NAMI Jewish Family & Services Support Group
    • (Palo Alto) meets 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9pm.
    • To register please complete this form: https://bit.ly/NAMI-JFSG   
  • NAMI Stanford Family Support Group
  • DBSA Mood Disorder Support Group
    • For persons with uni- and bi-polar disorders, mania, depression, or anxiety; family members welcome. Meets every Tuesday from 7-9pm.
    • Contact at 650-299-8880 (leave a message) or email: info@dbsaSanMateo.org 
  • Individuals Living With Their Own Mental Illness
    • Meets every Tuesday from 1-2:30pm. Redwood City - Sequoia Counseling Services, sliding scale fees apply.
    • Contact Deborah at 650-363-0249, x11

Wednesday

  • NAMI Connection for Older Adults 55+
  • Jewish Support Group, (open to all denominations) for those with mental illness and families and friends.
    • Meets 2nd Wed of the month from 6:15-8:30pm.
    • Info: call Carol Irwin 408-858-1372

Thursday

  • NAMI Connection for Peers 18 & Over
  • Coastside Dual Diagnosis Group, (Half Moon Bay) Development for clients in all stages of recovery.
    • Meets every Thursday from 4-5pm.
    • Info: call 650-726-6369 
  • Body Image & Eating Disorders, (Menlo Park) Open to family and friends

Friday/Saturday

  • Chinese Family Support Group, (in English, Cantonese, & Mandarin)
    • Meets 2nd Friday of the month from 6:30- 8pm. For more info & registration, contact Tammy Vuong, ASW at 650-454-4711 or QVuong@smcgov.org 
  • Korean Support Group, (Cupertino) for family members.
    • Meets 4th Friday of the month from 12:30-2:30pm. Call for location: Kyo, 408-712-1149. 
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation of SF Bay Area.
    • Meets 3rd Saturday of the month from 1:30-3:30pm, Seton Medical Center. Info: 415-273-7273; www.ocdbayarea.org.