Around 1 out of every 6 adults in California residents suffers from some form of mental illness. Around 1 out of every twenty suffer from a severe form. Most of these people never receive treatment. Furthermore, the areas of California with the greatest need for mental health treatment, (including the Bay Area and San Joaquin Valley), have the lowest availability. To zoom in even closer, two-thirds of Californians (adult or not) with depression do not receive treatment.
Fortunately, there’s help. No shortage of providers (or shortage of funds) should ever prevent you from getting the help you deserve. The following resources are free of charge, confidential, and available to all California residents. Help yourself or someone you love today.
The National Mental Health Hotline
If you need to connect with a mental health specialist, call 1-866-903-3787 right now. A trained professional will take your call and assist you however she or he can. A world of resources is waiting for you. The hotline is available to all US residents and operates on a 24/7 basis.
DHCS Hotlines
The California Department of Health Care Services offers a multitude of resources for state residents, listed by county. An operative of the state Mental Health Director’s Association, a list of crisis hotlines can be found here.
NAMI Helpline & More
The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a wealth of resources, including the NAMI Helpline, which can be reached by calling 1-800-950-6264 or by emailing info@nami.org. Although the helpline is only available Monday through Friday from 10 AM until 8 PM EST, there is a 24/7 text line available. Simply text ‘NAMI’ to 741-741 for assistance.