Mental Health is Health!
It can range, from thriving to surviving. It’s okay to not be okay at times, but when the bad days seem to be happening more often than not, it may be a sign that something is going on.
What is Mental Health?
We all have mental health. Mental Health includes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act. As well as how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. It is important at every stage of life, from childhood through adulthood.
When we have good mental health, we are often in a state where we feel good. Despite the challenges in life, we are able to bounce back from ups and downs. We realize our full potential, feel optimistic, and can form positive meaningful relationships with others.
But what happens when we don’t feel good? It’s ok to not be ok at times, but when the bad days seem present more often than not, it may be a sign that something is going on.
Are you experiencing one or more of these symptoms?
- Feeling overly sad or hopeless
- Feeling consistently anxious, worried, fearful, or overwhelmed
- Confused thinking or being unable to concentrate on work or school
- Extreme highs and lows in mood
- Withdrawing from friends and activities
- Difficulty coping with daily problems or stress
- Consuming more alcohol or drugs than usual or more often
- Having strong feelings of irritability or anger
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Thinking people are out to get you
When one or more of these symptoms affects your daily life, getting support can help you get your mental health back to where you want it to be!
Where Can I Find Support?
If you are concerned about your mental health one of the actions you can take is to reach out for support. Reaching out for support is a sign of courage, strength, and hope. If you are struggling, or even just feeling off, it is one of the kindest things you can do – for you!
Where you go for mental health support depends on your specific situation and needs. Each person and their needs are different; therefore, the help available is too! A first step can be to talk to someone you trust, such as a primary care provider, spiritual counselor, or a warmline. You can also begin by reaching out to your local community mental health and wellness programs.
Below is a list of Monterey County community mental health and wellness programs all of which offer affordable or no-cost mental health services for adults, children, couples, and families. For additional community resources please call 2-1-1 or visit Monterey County Behavioral health. If you have private insurance and are looking for a mental health provider, visit Psychology Today to explore your options.
Monterey County Community Mental Health and Wellness Programs
- Community Human Services (CHS)
Community Human Services has provided mental health and family safety-net services to Monterey County residents for over 50 years. Their programs address underlying conditions and causes that are often difficult to resolve without help. Services are offered in English and Spanish at no charge, on a sliding fee scale, or through Medi-Cal. With their Family Service Centers in Salinas and Seaside, they support families and individuals of all ages who are struggling with emotional health or mental illness or who are impacted by domestic violence or child abuse. Community Human Services compassionate treatment teams help hundreds of young people and adults each year to heal and rebuild their lives through outpatient mental health counseling, parenting education and more!
Website: www.chservices.org
Social Media (Facebook): @CHServicesMontereySeaside
831-394-4622
1178 Broadway Avenue
Seaside, CA, 93955Salinas
831-757-7915
433 Salinas Street
Salinas, CA, 93901 - The Epicenter
The Epicenter serves youth ages 16-24 throughout Monterey County at no cost. Everyone qualifies for services! Services are grouped into four pillars including housing, education, employment, and health/wellness. Health and wellness supports include mental health services and referrals, support groups, wellness activities such as yoga and nutrition, and more. At the Epicenter, youth are empowered to share power with adult staff, make decisions, run the Center and serve as peer mentors.
If you are an LGBTQ+ youth or ally you can find a variety of options and programs to support your mental health journey at the Epicenter, including Drop-In Events on Thursdays (Q-Turn).
Website: epicentermonterey.org
Social Media (Instagram): @theepicenter831
Social Media (Facebook): @epicentermonterey
Email: info@epicentermonterey.org
Phone: 831-998-7291Drop-In Welcome: (M-TH 11am to 5pm)
737 South Main Street
Salinas, CA 93901 - The Village Project
The Village Project is a place for Black/African Americans and other historically underserved communities to work through any challenges they may face and to do so with the help of trusted practitioners in the community who understand their cultural dynamics. The doors are open to all people, regardless of their background, and we are dedicated to supporting positive outcomes for families, adults and children in our community. Services include adolescent, family, individual and couples counseling, youth programs, Equine therapy and Community Health Workers.
Additional programs and opportunities vary throughout the year and include educational workshops, webinars, Emanyatta Saturday African American Pride School, among others. Emotional Emancipation Circles offer an opportunity for individuals of African ancestry to come together to share stories and feelings and deepen our understanding of the impact of historical forces on our emotional lives, our relationships and the well-being of our communities.
Website: www.villageprojectinc.org
Email: village@villageprojectinc.org
Phone: 831-392-1500 - Center for Community Advocacy (CCA)
The Center for Community Advocacy (CCA) works to identify, cultivate, and recognize leadership from farmworkers and low-income families to expand opportunities in their lives by providing education, orientation, spaces for engagement, and legal support. The organization also provides behavioral health-Families Fuertes programming that helps families identify, understand, and function better as a family and cultivate mental health and well-being. The majority of program participants speak a language other than English, such as Spanish or indigenous languages. Programs are offered for youth and adults, all with the goal of empowering farmworkers and their whole families to serve as leaders for their neighborhoods. Workshops, training, and mentoring are provided around issues such as civic engagement, economic development, and housing rights, with specific youth-focused programs that allow them to increase their voice within the community.
CCA’s staff is available to meet with clients in the field, at their place of residence, in the evening or after normal working hours, by appointment.
Website: cca-viva.org
Email: info@cca-viva.org
Phone: 831-753-2324 - Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance
(PVPSA)The organization provides comprehensive health education and mental health services, substance use intervention and prevention services. This includes direct counseling to students and families of the Pajaro Valley including the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, which includes Northern Monterey County. PVPSA works to ensure access to services is easy for all community members and accepts Medi-Cal and payments on a sliding scale fee. Programs include mental health services and counseling, substance use services, as well as a range of additional programs and services for young people including restorative justice, counseling services and health education.
Website: www.pvpsa.org
Email: admin@pvpsa.org
Phone: 831-728-6445 - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family-to-Family Program
NAMI Family-to-Family is a FREE, 8-session English or 12-session Spanish education program for family, friends, and significant others of adults with mental health conditions. The program provides information about anxiety, depressive disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. Other topics covered include communication, problem-solving, treatment, and recovery. The program is taught by trained family members who have a loved one with a mental health condition. Registration is required.
Website: namimonterey.org
Email: vroman1@namimonterey.org (English) and nbarragan@namimonterey.org (Spanish)
Phone: 831-422-6264
Warm, Help & Hotlines
- California Warm Line
Call 855-845-7415
A 24/7 non-emergency resource for anyone in California seeking mental and emotional support. The Warm Line provides assistance via phone and webchat on a nondiscriminatory basis to anyone in need.
- Mobile Response Team
Call 831-687-4379
Specifically geared for Children and Youth 21 and under crisis intervention services are available 24-hours a day. The mobile response team provides services in the community and by telephone, offering immediate evaluation, treatment, and referral.
- Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Connect with a crisis counselor 24/7 to receive high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention.
Website: www.crisistextline.org
- Suicide Prevention Crisis Line of the Central Coast
Call 877-663-5433
The confidential line is available 24 hours, 7 days a week for individuals, loved ones, or others who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings, struggling with a cris, concerned about a loved one, or grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide. Multilingual interpreters are available
Website: www.fsa-cc.org
- Teen Line
Call 800-852-8336 (from 6pm to 10pm PST) or Text TEEN to 839863 (from 6pm to 9pm PST)
Offering anonymous support for teeangers by phone, text or email. No problem is too small, too large, or too shocking for the trained Teen Line volunteers.
Website: www.teenline.org
- Trans Lifeline
Call 877-565-8860
A 24/7 lifeline run by and for trans people, providing direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis.
Website: www.translifeline.org
- The Trevor Lifeline
Call 866-488-7386
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.
Website: www.thetrevorproject.org
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 800-273-8255
Veterans: Press 1
En Espanol: 800-628-9464The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 free support for individuals in distress, as well as prevention, crisis resources, and best practices for professionals.
Website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- SAMHSA’S National Helpline
Call 800-622-HELP (4357)
Free, confidential, 24/7 365-day-a-year treatment referral and informational services (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Take the Free and Confidential WellScreen.
Are you unsure if what you’re going through is related to mental health? You’re not alone, many people have similar questions. A first step is to take the free and confidential WellScreen questionnaire and to learn about additional local and online resources that might be the most helpful for you.
Practice Self-Care
Maintaining good mental health can take many different forms. While support and treatment are one of them, an important part is also practicing self-care. Self-care can be different from person to person, but overall practicing self-care is everything that you do to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, moving your body, connecting with family and friends, breathing, and mindfulness are all examples of self-care. Self-care can help you maintain good mental health, while also preventing some problems from developing or worsening.
Events
See below for a list of upcoming local events that promote wellness or provide mental health information.
-
Q-TURN
Hosting Organization: Epicenter
Drop-in peer-to-peer social support for LGBTQ+ youth and allies.
Location: 737 South Main Street Salinas, CA, 93901
Date & Time: Every Thursday between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Learn More: www.epicentermonterey.org
Contact: 1-831-998-7291
For additional resources please call 2-1-1 or visit Monterey County Behavioral Health.
Stories
This information page is hosted by Community Human Services and is funded by the Mental Health Services Act, Prevention and Early Intervention funding in partnership with the Monterey County Behavioral Health Bureau.