This week, we celebrated World Mental Health Day (October 10), an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 as an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. As advocates for goodness, Idea Hall understands the importance of mental health awareness and well-being for each of us as individuals, as well as for our community. In fact, according to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) 1 in 5 U.S. adults will experience mental illness each year. To help raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health support, this week’s Goodness Report features mental health resource roundup of organizations servicing the Orange County region.
NAMI OC
The mission of NAMI is to provide emotional support, education and resources for families, and those affected by mental illness. In collaboration with the entire community, NAMI advocates for a life of quality and dignity, one without discrimination, for all. The organization conducts educational programs, meetings and support groups throughout Orange County and all over the nation addressing every aspect of mental health at no cost to the community. NAMI Orange County is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization with a membership of over 400 and is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and NAMI California. NAMI OC offers robust mental health services to those struggling with mental health, family members supporting someone undergoing a mental health crisis, teens and young adults, schools, healthcare providers, and communities trying to improve their mental health knowledge and support.
If you or someone you know is struggling, NAMI offers many support services and treatments including, but not limited to:
- NAMI OC Warmline – Funded by the Orange County Healthcare Agency through the Mental Health Services Act, the NAMI OC WarmLine is a free and confidential telephone service providing emotional support and resources to Orange County residents, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
-
- Call or text: (714) 991-6412
- Toll Free: (877) 910-9276 (877-910-WARM)
- NAMI OC Family-to-Family Program – NO COST 8-week educational program for the families of those living with mental health conditions to improve coping and problem-solving skills.
- Family Support Groups – peer-led support groups for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with a mental health condition.
- NAMI OC Basics Course – NO COST 6-week education program for parents and family of those who are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition or who have a diagnosis to learn the facts about mental health conditions.
- Peer-to-Peer Educational Course – NO COST 8-week program for adults with a mental health condition who are looking to better understand their diagnosis.
The Lifeline and 988
988 is now the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (or 988 Lifeline). On July 16, 2022, the Lifeline transitioned away from the National Suicide Prevention Line reached through a 10-digit number to the three-digit 988 Lifeline. It is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant).
When people call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline, they are connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing 988 Lifeline network, made up of over 200 local crisis centers. These counselors are trained to provide free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress and connect them to resources. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States.
The 988 Lifeline’s network of over 200 crisis centers has been in operation since 2005 and has been proven to be effective. Trained counselors listen, provide support, and connect to resources when appropriate.
The previous 988 Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
Be Well Orange County
Be Well OC is working to make Orange County the happiest and healthiest community in the United States—and that starts with a world-class mental health care system. Their mission is to make compassionate mental health care more accessible for our community.
Be Well OC’s Orange Campus provides robust mental health resources to the people of Orange County. This currently includes:
- Crisis stabilization services – comprehensive mental health services for up to 24 hours with follow-up and referral support to ensure proper, long-lasting outcomes.
- A sobering center – voluntary short-stay (12-hour) program that allows intoxicated and nonviolent individuals to safely recover from the debilitating effects of alcohol and drugs AND screening, recovery planning, comfort services, and a transition to ongoing care.
- Crisis residential services – temporary alternative for people experiencing a psychiatric episode or intense emotional distress who might otherwise be placed in voluntary or involuntary hospitalization programs.
- The Care Navigation Team – provides resources and support to clients and families, including information about accessing services at the Be Well Orange campus and throughout Orange County.
To obtain a referral for care at the Be Well Orange Campus, please call the following numbers: Campus Main Line: 949-749-2500 For Alternative Referrals: Contact OC Links (855-OC-LINKS [855-625-4657]).
The Be Well OC also houses a Mobile Crisis Response Team composed of two crisis intervention specialists who provide in-community assessment and crisis stabilization services to individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges. The mobile response team provides information, referrals, transportation and additional follow-up support and case management. The mobile crisis response program helps improve outcomes for those in need, while also supporting law enforcement and EMS so they can focus on calls where they are needed most urgently. The net result is improved mental health care for Orange County residents, at a lower overall cost to the community.
Active Orange County Mobile Crisis Response Programs include the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine and Newport Beach, and now the UCI Campus. For general information about the Be Well OC Mobile Crisis Response Team, call: 949-749-2501.
Goodwill of Orange County – Tierney Center for Veteran Services
Goodwill of Orange County’s Tierney Center for Veteran Services is a comprehensive resource serving veterans and their families since 2016. Regardless of when you served, how you were discharged, whether you were active duty, National Guard or reserves, you qualify for assistance from Goodwill of Orange County.
At the Tierney Center for Veteran Services, a fellow veteran will navigate you through quality veteran resources and services in Orange County at no cost. Services available to veterans include but are not limited to:
- Basic Needs – immediate assistance with food hygiene and transportation.
- Veteran Housing – central access point for unstably housed and homeless veterans in Orange County.
- VA Benefits – linkage to the Veteran Service Office and Wounded Warrior Project.
- Legal Assistance – direct connection to the Veterans Legal Institute for pro-bono legal assistance.
- Employment Assistance – career counseling, mock interviews, networking, training and direct connection with local employers.
- Behavioral Health Services – referrals to qualified behavioral health providers.
- Emergency Financial Assistance – one-time financial assistance for immediate crisis needs.
- Peer Support Services – wrap around support to ensure all needs are addressed.
- Transportation – access to transportation services including bus passes and gas cards.
- Faith-Based Resources – linkage to faith-based resources through the Faith Based Working Group.
- Chapter 31 Services – Education and assistance with applying for Chapter 31 benefits on the web or paper application.
To take advantage of the services offered to veterans through the Tierney Center click here: https://tierneycenter.org/veteran-services/
MECCA OC
The Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA) is an organization with a vision to enhance and improve the quality of life for members of underserved cultural communities by advocating to reduce ethnic disparities. They ensure that there are culturally, and linguistically responsive services provided to communities who are traditionally underserved in health care delivery, education, outreach, and advocacy.
Services offered by the 9 agencies part of MECCA Orange County include, but are not limited to:
- Children’s Mental Health Access – MECCA and its partner agencies develop and implement culturally responsive mental health community education curricula in seven languages including Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Farsi, Arabic, Mandarin, and Khmer. These community education sessions are interactive and promote awareness of children’s mental health, helping to reduce stigma associated with seeking treatment options.
- Early Intervention Services for Older Adults (EISOA) – NO COST program targeting adults 60 years of age or older who are experiencing the onset of mental health conditions and are isolated due to social, cultural and linguistic barriers.
- Drawing Out Stigma Program – combats the stigma associated with mental illness by using the arts, film and intensive writing workshops by drawing out people’s experiences through poetry, memoir, and short stories of those who have experienced mental health challenges.
- Substance Use Prevention and Intervention – Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate education and outreach about Substance Use Disorders, Opioid Use Disorders, and Medication Assisted Treatment to organizations and ethnic communities and increase countywide MAT access by supporting systems change efforts.
- Community Outreach – MECCA successfully provides culturally and linguistically competent outreach services focused on a variety of health equity programs including, Substance Abuse Prevention, Mental Health, Physical Health, and Stigma Reduction in Vietnamese, Spanish, Khmer, Korean, Arabic, and Farsi.
MemorialCare SilverCloud
MemorialCare is a health services network which hosts Orange & Los Angeles counties’ leading integrated health system with the best doctors, urgent care, & pediatricians. Through their netwok, the organization offers free access to SilverCloud, one of the leading mental health apps you can download to your mobile phone. SilverCloud is an online therapeutic and educational program available in English and Spanish which offers help in managing anxiety, depression, stress, and trouble sleeping. Both MemorialCare and Greater Network Physicians allow patients to enroll in these customizable programs which can be accessed 24/7 and include:
- Programs catered to Individuals
-
- Space from Depression (Coached, Spanish)
- Space from Anxiety (Coached, Spanish)
- Space from Depression & Anxiety (Coached, Spanish)
- Space from Stress (Uncoached)
- Space for Resilience (Uncoached)
- Space from Insomnia and Sleep Issues (Uncoached)
- COVID-19 Support (Uncoached)
- Programs catered to Parents and Guardians
-
- Space for Early Parenting (Coached)
- Supporting Anxious Children – Coached (Children = 5-11)
- Supporting an Anxious Teen – Coached (Teens = 12-18)
- Programs catered to Teens
-
- Space From Anxiety (Coached)
- Space From Depression for Teens (Coached)
- Space From Depression and Anxiety for Teens (Coached)
For more information on the SilverCloud Program through MemorialCare click here: https://www.memorialcare.org/silvercloud#content-segment-27536
United in Goodness, Idea Hall is passionate about staying up-to-date and knowledgeable about improvements and new programs surrounding mental health in Southern California and beyond. If you are aware of additional mental health resources that are serving Orange County, feel free to contact info@ideahall.com at Idea Hall.
