Finding Mental Health and Community Resources

Asking for help can be the hardest step you take. Whether you are looking for resources for affordable housing, food assistance, or looking for healthcare, it can be overwhelming to know where to even start. There are a ton of resources available for individuals that you may not even know about. Knowing where to look for high-quality resources can help put you at ease and feel more confident when looking for support. You do not have to figure out everything on your own, there are resources out there to help you. There are multiple organizations and community resources that can help.

Where to Start: 211

Dialing your local 211 is a great first step that is free and confidential service that helps connect people with local resources and support. You can contact 211 to find information about food and food banks, housing and shelter, rent and utility assistance, healthcare, mental health services, substance use services, transportation, support for families and children, financial assistance, senior services, and other programs. Your local 211 can help you find multiple different resources that suits your needs. You can learn more by simply visiting 211 California or by calling 211.

Mental Health Support

Mental health support can look different for anyone. Therapy can be one option, but there are many different types of mental health services available depending on what you need. If you are looking for support, there are options such as:

• Therapy: Meeting with a therapist on a regular basis while continuing to live at work and attend work/school.
• Psychiatry: Meeting with a psychiatrist or medical provider who can evaluate mental health concerns, and when appropriate, prescribe and manage medications.
• Psychological Services: Meeting with a psychological who may provide evaluations, psychological testing, and possible therapy.
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP): More frequent mental health treatment than regular outpatient therapy while still living at home.
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP): A structured mental health program that usually involves treatment for several hours a day while allowing you to return home afterward.
• Inpatient mental health care: Staying at a hospital or treatment facility when someone needs more intensive support or is experiencing a mental health crisis that cannot be safely managed at home and is a risk.
• Crisis services: Immediate support for someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. This may include crisis hotlines, mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization centers, or emergency services.
• Support groups: Groups where people can connect with others who have similar experiences and provide encouragement and support.
• Substance use treatment: Services for people who are struggling with alcohol or drug use. This can include counseling, outpatient programs, residential treatment, detox services, and medication-assisted treatment.

If you are not sure what service you need or looking for, then your doctor, social worker, psychiatrist, crisis counselor, therapist, or 211 can help you understand the options and find an appropriate service that works for you. Your primary care provider can give you a referral and you can also contact your insurance company to find local services. It is okay to ask questions before making an appointment. You have to find what is best for you, which may mean asking about cost, insurance, availability, telehealth, and others.

Finding the right support may take time. Some providers may not be a good fit for you, and it is important that you find care where feel comfortable, respected, and heard. You don't have to wait until you are in crisis to ask for help. Reaching out early can help you find the right support before things become more difficult and overwhelming.

Food and Housing Support

It can be hard to focus on your mental health when you are constantly worried about having enough food or having a safe space to sleep for the night. If you ever need any food assistance, you can look for local food banks, food pantries, community meal programs, and government assistance programs. 211 can help you find food resources that is local to you.

If you are seeking housing assistance, you can look for shelters, affording housing programs, and organizations that help people experiencing homelessness. 211 can be a great place to start for programs that are available in your area. There are organizations that can help you if are struggling with possible eviction, rent payment, and utility assistance programs.

Healthcare

Healthcare can be hard to access, when insurance or cost is a big concern. Always contact your insurance to see what benefits available and what services are covered for you. If you do not have insurance, there are options for you. Community organizations, health centers, and local health departments may provide healthcare at lower cost. You can apply with Medicaid and even Medicare if you are over the age of 65. Your local 211 can help provide healthcare resources that are in your area.

Asking for Help

You do not know exactly what you need before asking for help. Sometimes just having someone point you in the right direction is helpful. You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Finding resources can feel overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with so many different challenges. Take one step at a time. If one resource doesn't work, move on to the next. Sometimes finding the right resource for you can take a few tries. You do not have to face difficult times alone

Jenna Enright is a Master of Social Work (MSW) intern at Attune Health, practicing under the supervision of Jennifer Latimer, LCSW. Meet Jenna.

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