Mental Health
Despite more awareness of mental health issues in the news and popular culture, many barriers remain to accessing necessary care. All too often, brain illness goes undetected, unrecognized or ignored until it becomes a crisis. Stigma around treatment, or even discussions, can prevent families from reaching out for help or sharing their own stories. Finding a therapist or treatment program can be difficult, not to mention navigating insurance claims (if a family is fortunate enough to have coverage) or prohibitively expensive private pay.
Yet for all the barriers, support is available through school districts, community clinics, non-profit organizations, medical partnerships and advocates in the private sector.
PDF with phone, text and website contact info for crisis support in English and Spanish
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MCOE: Mental Health Resources for Students and Families
PDF list of phone numbers for hotlines, community counseling agencies and hospitals, with links to online resources and books compiled by Marin County Office of Education (MCOE)
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Link to site with parent/youth helpline, Parents Anonymous® support group, and parenting articles in a variety of languages
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Children’s Health Council (CHC)
South-Bay organization offering “best-in-class learning and mental health services for children, teens and young adults.” Services include individual/family therapy, support groups and 24-hour crisis line
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Link to Canadian-based organization that provides resources including videos, animations, brochures, e-books, and training programs based on the best available scientific research
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Teach Everyone About Mental Health (TEAM)
“TEAM’s mission is to equip friends and family members of those struggling with a mental health condition with the right information and resources necessary to take action and help their loved ones. We are the support for the support.”
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MCOE Safe Schools and Prevention Services: Student mental health
No-frills site with PDF links to protocols, presentation outlines, crisis toolkits and crisis resources for students, parents and school staff
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MCOE Mental Health and Wellness
Colorful site with information about events; recordings of past events; printable handouts around grief, loss
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Sonoma County-based clinic providing adolescents with early serious psychiatric illness access to gold-standard care.
“MTV Entertainment Group initiative rooted in the reality that we all have mental health and need to take care of it like we do our physical health. The initiative aims to normalize conversation, create a connection to resources and inspire action on mental health.
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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
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American Academy of Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry
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Media, Screentime and Technology
Navigating new media is one of the quintessential conundrums of 21st Century parenting. The technology may be “new-fangled,” but core parenting principles remain: making mindful choices, maintaining open communication, modeling with our own behavior and acting in accordance with our values.
Organizations and Links
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Comprehensive reviews of movies, TV shows, books and games from professionals, parents and children with recommended ages and content warnings. Also includes articles, “best of” lists, research, and “parents ultimate guide to” a variety of trending topics.
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Mill Valley-based nonprofit that “helps families and their communities teach healthy tech use to children.” Site includes information, tutorials, resources and option to sign up for bi-weekly “bite size” email content.
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Facts, figures, stories, and research intended to serve as a resource for parents, educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers and young people
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Articles
A generation of kids has used social media their whole lives. Here’s how it’s changing them
Salon.com article by Nicole Karlis from February 2021
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Videos
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Children and Screens during COVID-19
Catherine Steiner-Adair: How Technology Affects Child Development
Books
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The Big Disconnect by Catherine Steiner-Adair
Raising a Screen Smart Kid by Julianna Miner
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Sleep
Books:
Why We Sleep
Articles:
Sleep and Emotions article?
Suicide Prevention
Rates of suicide and attempted suicide in teens, pre-teens and even younger children have been tragically rising. As difficult as it is, we all must must educate ourselves about signs of suicide, prevention resources, and crisis strategies.
Crisis
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line - text HELLO to 741741
211.org - connect with local mental health resources.
Text zip code to 898211
PDF with phone, text and website contact info for crisis support in English and Spanish
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MCOE Mental Health Resources for Students and Families
PDF list of phone numbers for hotlines, community counseling agencies and hospitals, with links to online resources and books compiled by MCOE
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One page PDF handout listing warning signs of suicide with anacronym FACTS - Feelings, Actions, Changes, Threats, Situations
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Preventing Youth Suicide (National Association of School Psychologists)
PDF handout of tips for parents and educators including risk factors, warning signs, what to do and online resources
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Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide
Organization providing resources for parents, educators, teens, and clinicians including links, articles, blog, scripts for talking with children about suicide, community presentations, and training for educators
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Marin County Suicide Preventation Webinar
Youtube link of April 13, 2021 event
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
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