Social Emotional Resources

• Mental Health Treatment Facility Locator: Toll-Free: 1-800-789-2647 (English and español) TDD: 1-866-889-2647 

• County Mental Health Plans: 

  • Phone contact numbers by county listed.

• Mental Health Resources: http://www.mentalhealth.gov 

• USC Telehealth Online Clinic: Telehealth provides online therapy in English and Spanish, where you and your therapist connect from separate locations via a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Free for California residents. Call (866) 740-6502.

• Disaster/Trauma Resources 

• Half of Us: Online self-help, information, and what to do with life challenges. 

• Online Teen Counseling: Teen Counseling is an online platform where teens from ages 13-20 can get help from a licensed therapist online. 

  • TeenCounseling.com makes affordable, discreet, professional counseling available through a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

  • All teens can benefit from having a professional counselor at their fingertips to discuss issues such as coping skills, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, depression, bullying, anger, eating disorders or any other mental challenges.

  • Brain XP is dedicated to ending the stigma toward other teenagers who suffer from mental health issues. The site includes the following resources:

    • • A 5-Part Coping Skills Series for young people with over 100 coping skills to help students.  A young person only needs to find 1 or 2 coping skills they really enjoy to make their anxiety and isolation more manageable.

      • Brain XP also has positive daily social media content: Brain XP Blog and Brain XP Instagram (@brainxpproject). All of our content is created by teens for other teens, and all of our resources can be accessed online.

Emergency: Call 911

• Chat with a Crisis Counselor: Call or text 800-843-5200

  • Crisis Text Line: Text "DESERVE" TO 741-741 

  • Any crisis, including bullying, abuse, rape, counseling or suicide, call 310-855-4673 or text “TEEN” to 839863.

  • Click here for 24 Hour Crisis Numbers.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: CALL 988  | suicidepreventionlifeline.org

  • National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433)

  • Suicide Prevention Wiki: http://suicideprevention.wikia.com

  • Suicide Prevention (International): befrienders.org

  • Jason Foundation:  They created "A Friend Asks" smart-phone app that helps provide the information, tools and resources to help a friend (or yourself) who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide.  

• Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT | selfinjury.com

• Domestic/Relationship Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | thehotline.org

  • Family Violence Helpline: 1-800-996-6228

• Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 | childhelp.org/hotline/

• Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 | rainn.org

• Planned Parenthood Hotline: 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) 

• National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line: 1-800-622-2255

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) Helpline | samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

• Runaway Hotline: 1-800-231-6946 | 1800runaway.org

• LGBTQ Hotline: 1-888-843-4564

  • Trevor Hotline for LGBTQ Youth: 1-866-488-7386 | thetrevorproject.org

• TransLifeline: 1-877-565-8860 https://www.translifeline.org

• AIDS Crisis Line: 1-800-221-7044

• Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net

• American Association of Poison Control Centers: 1-800-222-1222

• Eating Disorders: 1-800-931-2237 | nationaleatingdisorders.org

  • National Crisis Line - Anorexia and Bulimia: 1-800-233-4357

• Referral services: 211 | 211.org

• Other resources for developing healthy lifestyles, including mental and emotional help: helpguide.org 

Signs of Depression

• feelings of hopelessness or helplessness

• loss of interest in daily activities

• changes in sleep or eating habits

• anger or irritability (irritability is especially notable in teens)

• loss of energy

• feeling worthless or guilty

• reckless behavior

• trouble concentrating

• unexplained aches and pains (this is especially notable in children and teens)

Some things that can help

• Reach out- talk to someone, preferably face-to-face. Find someone who you can talk to who doesn't judge, and is willing to listen.

• Get moving- take a walk. Find some way to get exercise. Start small if you need to. Exercise can boost your mood as much as anti-depressant drugs.

• Eat better- reduce caffeine, refined sugar and carbs, and alcohol. Increase omega-3 fatty acids.

• Fake it until you make it. Find ways to get more engaged, even if you have to force yourself. Enjoy your pets, a hobby, or volunteer to help someone.

• Express yourself- be creative. Draw, or write down how you are feeling. Keep a journal. Listen to music that helps you feel calm and happy.

• Look for the good- expressing gratitude daily can boost your overall mood. Keep a gratitude journal, or call someone and thank them for being in your life. Notice the small things that bring you joy or pleasure.

• Keep a schedule- sometimes just making it through the day is easier if you have a set schedule to follow and don't have to think too hard about what comes next. Schedule in something you enjoy as well, to help give you something to look forward to.

• Think positive- sometimes it's important to change our thought processes when dealing with depression, but it can make a huge difference. Pay attention to the things you think about yourself and the world around you. Do you generalize when something goes wrong, and feel like "everything" is wrong? Do you focus more on the bad things that happen than the good, and get stuck thinking about them? Do you blame yourself when bad things happen, even though it may not be wholly your fault? Do you see problems as huge, or think your contribution is smaller than it really is? Stop and think about what you are thinking. If you recognize these "thinking errors" take a second look and reflect on what the evidence really shows.

• Get professional help- if you feel stuck and can't shake how you are feeling, or if you feel like hurting yourself, ask for help. See a doctor and/or a therapist to get adequate support so that you can move forward and feel better.

Resources

• Mental Health Treatment Facility Locator: Toll-Free: 1-800-789-2647 (English and español) TDD: 1-866-889-2647 Website: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

• National immigration law center: Information & resources: https://www.nilc.org/about-us/what_we_do/

• Know your rights: Alerts & information https://www.nilc.org/get-involved/community-education-resources/know-your-rights/ 

• What benefits can immigrants qualify for https://www.nilc.org/issues/economic-support/

• CA Dream Act: Undocumented youth who complete High School and have resided in U.S for 3 years of High School qualify. Financial aid available. Students have path to citizenship and complete once graduating college or serving in military two years. 

  •  https://dream.csac.ca.gov/

• CAPI: Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants: Must be blind, disabled, or over age 65, and income qualify for cash aid assistance program. 

  • https://www.cdss.ca.gov/capi

• California Department of Managed HealthCare: Phone: 1-888-466- 2219 

  • http://www.healthhelp.ca.gov/HealthCareinCalifornia.aspx#.VdYac8KFPIU  

• Covered California: Select and apply for health care plans: http://www.coveredca.com/ 

• “Your Health, your Rights: A guide to free and low cost sexual healthcare for women in California” 

  •  https://www.aclunc.org/sites/default/files/asset_upload_file430_9975.pdf

• Apply for low income assistance including Medi-Cal, County Medical Services Program (CMSP), CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps) and California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs):

  •  https://benefitscal.com/ApplyForBenefits/ABOVR

• Planned Parenthood: Locations for free/ low cost reproductive healthcare and information (All Genders/ Ages served):

  •  https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center Phone #: 1-800-230-PLAN 

• Apply for low income assistance including Medi-Cal, County Medical Services Program (CMSP), CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps) and California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs): http://www.benefitscal.org/ 

• Cal Learn: For parents aged 19 and younger to assist in raising children and finishing school. 

  • Provides grants and rewards for school progress as well. https://www.cdss.ca.gov/cal-learn

• California Head Start and Early Head Start information/ application/locator (program for low income families with children under 5 yrs. 

  • May provide childcare and training/classes/other support for family and child https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/hs/directories 

• Empowering Parents: Database of strategies to manage children’s behaviors and needs: http://www.empoweringparents.com/articles.php

• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Becoming a new parent can be hard. It is normal to feel depressed, anxious, and overwhelmed after having a baby. It's important to remember that mental health challenges are common during this time and there is no shame in seeking help. If you need someone to talk to, call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) any time. It's free and confidential. 

• Statewide listings of childcare resource centers: 

  • Select your area map: http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/rragencylist.asp

• • National Runaway Safeline (NRS) 

  • CALL 1-800-RUNAWAY   

  • TEXT 66008

• Need a ticket home?

  • To be eligible for a Greyhound ticket home, the child has to call the NRS helpline, be between 12 and 21 years old, be named on a runaway report and be willing to be reunited with their family (and vice versa). 

  • Home Free can only be used on two occasions by the same person. 

    • We also provide a free ticket for the parent or legal guardian if the young person is under the age of 15.

  • To find out more about National Runaway Safeline, visit www.1800runaway.org

  • If you or someone you know has run away and wants to come home or you need some help, call toll-free 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929).

Teen Line - Find out what triggers make you want to cut, then find new ways to deal with them.

• • RAINN Online Live Chat and Phone Line for anonymous support & Referrals to local support:

  • Live Chat link: https://ohl.rainn.org/online Phone #: 800-656-HOP

Emergency: Call 911

• Chat with a Crisis Counselor: Call or text 800-843-5200 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 9-8-8 

• “A Friend Asks” is a FREE smart-phone app that helps provide the information, tools and resources to help a friend (or yourself) who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. Download here for Android. Download here for iPhone.

• If in an immediate crisis, call 911. 

• If you, or a friend, need to talk with a counselor or need resources in your area, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (anytime 24/7 at 988)

• Suicide Prevention Wiki: http://suicideprevention.wikia.com

• My Life Is Worth Living site:  https://mylifeisworthliving.org/

Teen Dating Violence

Dating violence is more common than many people think. One in three teens in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults. If you have questions about dating in general or a specific relationship, or if you are in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, you deserve support and resources to help you with your situation. 

Loveisrespect advocates are trained on issues related to dating abuse and healthy relationships, as well as crisis intervention. This means that when you contact a loveisrespect advocate, they will listen to your situation, assess how you’re feeling in the moment, and help you figure out the next best steps for you. You are not alone; our peer advocates are here for you 24/7/365.

• Call 1-866-331-9474 (1-866-331-8453 TTY for Deaf/hard of hearing individuals)

• Chat Start a live chat by clicking the "Chat Online Now" button

• Text "loveis" to 22522

Cyberbullying is bullying or harassment that happens online. It can happen in an email, a text message, a game, or on a social networking site. It might involve spreading rumors or images posted on someone's profile or passed around for others to see, or creating a group or page to make a person feel left out.

Talk to your kids about Cyberbullying

• Tell your kids that they can't hide behind the words they type and the images they post. Bullying is a lose-lose situation. Hurtful messages not only make the target feel bad, but also make the sender look bad. Often they can bring scorn from peers and punishment from authorities.

• Ask your kids to let you know if an online message or image makes them feel threatened or hurt. If you fear for your child's safety, contact the police.

Read the comments

• Cyberbullying often involves mean-spirited comments. Check out your kid's page from time to time to see what you find.

Recognize the signs of a Cyberbully

• Could your kid be the bully? Look for signs of bullying behavior, such as creating mean images of another kid. Keep in mind that you are a model for your children. Kids learn from adults' gossip and other behavior.

Help stop Cyberbullying

• Most kids don’t bully, and there’s no reason for anyone to put up with it. If your child sees cyberbullying happening to someone else, encourage him or her to try to stop it by telling the bully to stop and by not engaging or forwarding anything. Researchers say that bullying usually stops pretty quickly when peers intervene on behalf of the victim. One way to help stop bullying online is to report it to the site or network where you see it.

What to do about a Cyberbully

• Don't react to the bully.

• If your child is targeted by a cyberbully, keep a cool head. Remind your child that most people realize bullying is wrong. Tell your child not to respond in kind. Instead, encourage him or her to work with you to save the evidence and talk to you about it. If the bullying persists, share the record with school officials or local law enforcement.

Protect your child’s profile

• If your child finds a profile that was created or altered without his or her permission, contact the site to have it taken down.

Block or delete the bully

• If the bullying involves instant messaging or another online service that requires a "friend" or "buddy" list, delete the bully from the lists or block their user name or email address.