Mental Health and Wellness Resources
If you are in a mental health crisis and need help immediately, dial or text 988
at any time to get help.
The San Joaquin County Office of Education is committed to providing all students, families, and employees with the appropriate resources to maintain positive mental health and emotional wellness. Below is a list of resources and support services available locally, state-wide, and nationally.
Local Resources
San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services: Call 888-468-9370 or 209-468-9370
San Joaquin County Crisis Line: For immediate crisis support, call 209-468-3549. Individuals who are over the age of 18 years, reside in San Joaquin County, and in need of non-crisis over-the-phone support can contact the San Joaquin County Warm Line at 209-468-3549. The children's non-emergency line is available M-F from 8AM - 5PM. Please call (209) 468-2385.
San Joaquin 2-1-1: Receive help from various local resources below by calling 2-1-1, texting 898211 with your zip code, emailing 211sj@frrcsj.org, or visiting their website 211sj.org.
Suicide Prevention
If you or your child are in a crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 888-467-9370 or (209) 468-9370. The lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How To Identify Suicide Warning Signs
Warning signs a student may need immediate assistance include:
- 1. Expressing feelings of hopelessness. A student may share verbally, in their writing, in classwork, or through social media feelings of hopelessness. This may come across as “life is not worth living” or “why even bother with any of this.
- 2. Isolating or withdrawing from others. The student may sit alone at lunch, not talk to anyone in class, perhaps hide at the back of the room, or shy away from others on the playground.
- 3. Dramatic mood changes. The mood change can be a student who is all of a sudden very sad and depressed. However, a student may also suddenly be extraordinarily happy. This can occur when a student has made a decision to harm themselves and feels relief over their decision.
- 4. Giving away prized possessions. The giving away of prized items may be the student’s subtle way of saying goodbye.
- 5. Sleeping all the time or too little. For example, the student who suddenly starts sleeping in class or complains to you about being able to sleep.
- 6. Increased use of substances. However, any suspected use of substances in a student should be reported.
- 7. Appears anxious or agitated. This type of behavior may be more pronounced than what is typical for the particular student.
- 8.Rage, anger, or revenge seeking. You may see a student display this behavior for the first time or get into their first fight.
- 9.Feeling trapped. The student may feel that there is no way out of a situation.
For more information about risk factors and warning signs, visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website at https://afsp.org/risk-factors-and-warning-signs#suicide-warning-signs.
Directing Change for Suicide Prevention
The Directing Change Program and Film Contest was launched as a demonstration initiative as part of Each Mind Matters: California’s Mental Health Movement funded by the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63) and administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. The website https://directingchangeca.org/films/ includes short films made by students, handouts and tip sheets on how to use the films in schools.
Crisis Hotlines
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat online with a counselor on their website https://988lifeline.org/chat/.
California Warmline: Call 855-845-7415 or chat via IM on their website https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/peer-run-warmline/
Crisis Chat: Chat online with a specialist at an accredited crisis center through their website https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ or their hotline 877-727-4747
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System: The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) educates secondary students, educators and administrators on how to recognize the signs and signals of individuals who may be at-risk of hurting themselves or others and encourages them to report that behavior through an anonymous reporting system.
https://www.saysomething.net/
Helpful Resources
JJ’s Hello Foundation for Suicide Loss Survivors
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide: The organization works to reduce the stigma of suicide prevention among communities of color through training and advocacy.
Mental Health
Crisis Hotlines
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI): In a crisis, text NAMI to 741741 for 24/7, confidential, free crisis counseling. If you are not in crisis, call the NAMI helpline at 800-950-6264 M-F from 10AM - 6PM ET
Helpful Resources
AAKOMA Project: Helps diverse teenagers and their families achieve optimal mental health through dialogue, learning, and the understanding that everyone deserves care and support.
Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM): Dedicated to the healing, wellness, and liberation of Black and marginalized communities.
Black Girls Smile, Inc: Promotes positive mental health for young African American girls.
Black Mental Health Alliance: Develops, promotes, and sponsors trusted, culturally-relevant educational forums, trainings, and services that support the health and wellbeing of Black people and other vulnerable communities.
Black Mental Wellness: Provides access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective.
Eustress: Raises awareness on the importance of mental health in underserved communities.
How to Discuss Stressful Situations
How to Talk About Difficult Subjects
How to Talk to Children About Difficult News
Loveland Foundation: Provides financial support for therapy for Black girls and women.
National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN): Organization is committed to transforming mental health for queer and trans people of color.
Peer Support
Providing Support Over Time
SAMHSA: Coping Tips for Traumatic Events for Adults
San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services: Children and Youth Services (CYS)
Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness: Sustains the mental wellness of Black girls and women through building community, sharing information, and connecting Black girls and women to quality mental wellness services.
Talking with Grieving Children
Three Component Model to Support Students’ Mental Health: A Guide for California Schools
What not to say to Grieving Children
California Health and Human Services Mental Health Resources for Youth: The California Health and Human Services and California Department of Education have partnered to provide schools with resources to use in the classroom and share with their school communities.
Substance Abuse
Crisis Hotlines
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline: Call toll free at 800-985-5990 or text TALKWITHUS to 66746 (HABLAMOS al 66746 for Spanish).
The Boys Town National Hotline: Receive support by calling 800-448-3000, texting VOICE 20121, or emailing to speak to a crisis counselor.
Helpful Resources
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN): Organization is committed to transforming mental health for queer and trans people of color.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Search for free lessons and activities on the science and consequences of drug use.
Fentanyl Toolkits:Various toolkits to warn about the dangers of fentanyl.
Operation Prevention: This NO-COST, standards-aligned program for young people ages 8–18 is available in every school, home, and state in the nation to kickstart lifesaving actions TODAY
Child Abuse And Domestic Violence
Crisis Hotlines
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: Call 800-422-4453, text 800-422-4453, or live chat at https://www.childhelp.org/childhelp-hotline/
National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-799-7233 or text LOVE to 22522
LGBTQIA+ Support
Crisis Hotlines
LGBTQ National Hotline: The hotline provides peer-support and local resources for all ages. Call 888-843-4564.
Trans Lifeline: The lifeline provides support for transgender people. Call 877-565-8860.
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. Call 866-488-7386, text TREVOR to 202-304-1200, or live chat on TrevorChat at http://www.thetrevorproject.com/.
Helpful Resources
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN): Organization is committed to transforming mental health for queer and trans people of color.
SJCOE Projects and Grants
Mental Health Student Services Act (MHSSA Round 2): San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) and the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) received a $6 million grant over four years from the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission’s Mental Health Student Services Act. Round 2 funding
Over years, areas supported by the grant include:
- ● Screening students in grades 6-12 for substance use disorder and referral for counseling, if necessary.
- ● Suicide prevention programs for students in grades K-8, including peer-to-peer mentoring summits to help teach students how to support one another.
- ● Professional learning opportunities to train school staff.
- ● Parent Project classes to help families learn positive parenting practices
Mental Health Student Services Act (MHSSA Round 3):San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) and the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) received a $1.6 million grant over five years from the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission’s Mental Health Student Services Act.
This funding will facilitate Mental Health Youth Development Academies (MHYDA) that will be implemented in interested San Joaquin County high schools. This program allows students to not only develop their own personal skills in mental health leadership and advocacy, but to also provide them with opportunities to serve their community and younger peers.
Studies have shown that peer to peer education works as young people are more willing to receive information from their peers. Peers have their pulse on the school community and are often able to alert adults as needed. In doing so, all program participants will increase their knowledge and skills in mental well-being and enhance their resilience to substance use, which will positively impact the greater community.
We will also add a CTE component that connects these academy students to counseling and mental health careers. There is a considerable shortage of mental health providers regionally and nationally (Education Week, 2022). We believe that exposure to skills and professions will pique the interest of students Mental Health career paths.
High school participants (Sophomores and Juniors) will apply for the program and be selected based upon their interest and ability to commit to the program. Participants will receive 4-6 weeks of training in a summer program. The training program will be evidenced based and/or include topics on mental wellness, suicide prevention, substance use prevention, conflict resolution skills, active listening, communication skills (verbal and nonverbal), decision-making skills, resiliency, relationship building (trusted adults), reducing stigma, character building and career technical education (CTE) Mental Health provider career awareness. One week of this training experience will be at Sky Mountain Outdoor Education Center.
Upcoming Mental Health and Wellness Trainings
LivingWorks Start: Life-saving suicide prevention training for school communities
ACCESS TRAINING | LW Start California (livingworks.net)
Toolkit for May