MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE GUIDE

MENTAL HEALTH
RESOURCE GUIDE
TERMINOLOGY. AWARENESS. RELIEF.

This guide includes:
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Common mental health challenges & conditions
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Wellness advice by mental health experts and Stanford professors
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Mental health resources (including suicide and abuse hotlines, in-person, and online services)
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"DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE"
-DUY NGUYEN
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT OURSELVES AND PEERS?
ADVICE FROM DUY NGUYEN
PROGRAM MANAGER, COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
What preliminary steps can we, as teens, take to reduce our risk of developing a mental illness?
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Speak with a trusted person and get help as soon as possible
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Note that while friends and family can help, sometimes it is important to chat with a medical professional---don’t wait until it’s too late
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How can we best support friends struggling with a mental health challenge?
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Support friends in finding help through a professional
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Share your own personal journey if you’ve seen a therapist before, so that it doesn’t feel so shaming
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Empathize with them and reflect on their feelings by saying:
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“I’m really sorry to hear that you’re going through…”
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“It sounds like you’re really feeling…”
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This shows friends that you’re really listening to them and that you understand them!
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What can we incorporate in our daily routines to improve our mental health?
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Carve out time to spend time to connect with another person that truly cares about you and you care about
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Whether that’s friends or family, it is important to connect with others!
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How can we manage our stress in environments where we cannot limit the stressors?
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Incorporate mini breaks (5-10 minutes) throughout the day where you stop what you’re doing and get up to move, dance or play
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT OURSELVES AND PEERS?
ADVICE FROM DUY NGUYEN
PROGRAM MANAGER, COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
What preliminary steps can we, as teens, take to reduce our risk of developing a mental illness?
-
Speak with a trusted person and get help as soon as possible
-
Note that while friends and family can help, sometimes it is important to chat with a medical professional---don’t wait until it’s too late
-
How can we best support friends struggling with a mental health challenge?
-
Support friends in finding help through a professional
-
Share your own personal journey if you’ve seen a therapist before, so that it doesn’t feel so shaming
-
Empathize with them and reflect on their feelings by saying:
-
“I’m really sorry to hear that you’re going through…”
-
“It sounds like you’re really feeling…”
-
This shows friends that you’re really listening to them and that you understand them!
-
What can we incorporate in our daily routines to improve our mental health?
-
Carve out time to spend time to connect with another person that truly cares about you and you care about
-
Whether that’s friends or family, it is important to connect with others!
-
How can we manage our stress in environments where we cannot limit the stressors?
-
Incorporate mini breaks (5-10 minutes) throughout the day where you stop what you’re doing and get up to move, dance or play
RETHINK THE SYSTEM FOR
WELL-BEING & ADVICE ON
HELPING PEERS:
WITH
DR. APURVA BHATT
STANFORD CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, PSYCHIATRY AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
How can teens, take action when we notice friends experiencing mental health challenges?
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Encourage friends to seek out care if they are struggling
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Think critically and push back on unhelpful external pressures that cause sleep deprivation or intense stress.
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Reflect on where we get self-esteem and validation (is it based on thi this system that measures external success?). Think about what brings YOU joy, meaning, and purpose. Carve out time for meaningful activities that brings you joy, even if they don't bring external rewards.
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Support friends if they decide to reject unhelpful external metrics to preserve their mental wellbeing (such as dropping an AP class or an extracurricular activity).
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Help bridge intergenerational gaps in mental health understanding (i.e. with parents) by opening a conversation with them about your concern about your friend, and share you are here to support about your friend, and share you are here to support wher ethey can seek out support.
What can teens incorporate into their own daily routines to improve their mental health?
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8+ hours of sleep is a must! In order to improve sleep, we can:
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Cut out caffeine (only the morning, none after 11am)
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Make sure bed is only used for sleep (no phone, homework)
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Have a warm bath or hot shower before bed (calms down neurological system)
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No screen time in the one hour before bedtime
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Exercise (30 min, 3x a week)
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Remember that if we don't sleep, our brain is not developing. Sleep is also how our body get rid of toxins.
If a friend confides in us about experiencing a mental health challenge, what is the best way to respond (other than suggesting they ask a trusted adult)?
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Oftentimes, friends just need someone to listen and take it all in. Let them do most of the talking!
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Phrases such as these can make your friend feel heard and seen:
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"I'm so glad that you felt safe enough to share this with me"
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"I'm so sorry you are going through this."
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"I'm here with you."
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Validate your friend's experience and ask if they want you to listen or provide a solution
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If the mental health challenge seems serious or unusual, or if there is a safety concern, encourage them to talk to an adult.
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If they do not want to reach out to an adult, you can say: "I'm really worried about you" and suggest going to the school wellness center, counselor, or an allcove center together.

Suicide Prevention
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988
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988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/
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Spanish Speakers: 1-888-628-9454
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Spanish Speakers: 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/en-espanol/
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Deaf/Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889
Sexual Abuse
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Call 1-800-656-4673
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Text hotline.rainn.org/online
National Domestic Violence
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Call 800-799-7233
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Text START to 88788
SAMHSA National Helpline
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Call 1-800-662-4357
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Find treatment ww.findtreatment.gov
Substance Abuse
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Call 1-800-662-4357
HIV / AIDS Hotline
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Call 1-800-232-4636
HOTLINES
RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Scout by Sutter Health
Greenlight Clinic (Free!)
12-week, non-clinical digital program that offers personalized, evidence-based resources for youth ages 12-26 dealing with anxiety/depression, and their caregivers to build everyday resilience
Free and confidential therapy for 14 - 26 year olds in the Bay Area. Focuses on teaching young people the skills to reach their goals and improve the quality of life.
Teen Therapy Center of Silicon Valley
Individual, group, family, parent support counseling, in-home teen & family coaching
Body Empowerment Project
A nonprofit organization established in 2012 to help empower youth to find body acceptance and self worth.
allcove (Free!)
"A space for young people to find community, guidance, and support."
colleQTIve
A 2SLGBTQIA+ Wellness Center within the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department. They offer holistic services and support to the 2SLGBTQIA community. All services are free!
Outlet
A Program of Adolescent Counseling Services. Their mission is to empower LGBTQ+ youth and to build safe, accepting communities through suppport, education, and advocacy. Outlet's services include weekly youth groups, LGBTQ+ affirming mental health services, consultations, and trianing, and leadership opportunities for youth.
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Address: 1779 Woodside Road Suite 200, Redwood City, CA 94051
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outletprogram@acs-teens.org | 650.424.0852 ext. 107
Cultural Communities Wellness Program
A prevention and early-intervention program of Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services. They provide free mental health services to the community including individual one-on-one emotional support, peer support services, and mental health training. 1075 E. Santa Clara Street, 2nd Floor, San Jose, CA 95116
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Contact: 408-792-3916
Children's Health Council
Children's Health Council offers comprehensive and integrated services for learning differences and mental health. We support children, teens, young adults, and families.
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Contact careteam@chonline.org to learn more about therapy and clinical evaluations and discuss needs / concerns!
Stanford Psychiatry Clinics
The Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Child Development in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford offers several facilities and clinics. These include:
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Adolescent Safety Assessment Program
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Autism Clinic Services
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Child INSPIRE Early Psychosis Clinic
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Eating Disorders Clinic
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General Child Psychiatry Clinic
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Mood Disorders Clinic
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Pediatric Anxiety and Traumatic Stress (PATS) Clinic
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Psychological Assessment Clinic
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Stanford Inpatient Unit at Mills
You can learn more here: