California Mental Health Resources
The California Mental Health Resources website provides important mental health resources, including local mental health department resources, organized by County, public education and awareness programs, suicide prevention information and other important resources. You can access the website at Resources - IECMHC (iecmhcnetwork.org)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Taking care of your emotional health during an emergency will help you think clearly and react to urgent needs to protect yourself and your family. The CDC offers the following resources on coping with disaster, traumatic events and stress:
Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event
Click here for information on helping children cope with traumatic events.
Fear and anxiety about traumatic events and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children.
The Office of Head Start, The National Center on Health
Caring for yourself is important for your health and wellness, and it is directly related to your ability to care for others and to succeed at work. Although you can’t avoid all stress, too much stress can make it hard to provide care for others, especially infants and toddlers who depend on your physical and emotional availability. Taking care of yourself also protects you against the negative impact stress can have on your own physical and mental health. The Office of Head Start, National center on Health offers the following resources on practicing self-care, staff wellness and managing stress.
Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center
Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental health of children, families and staff every day. Early childhood mental health is the same as social and emotional well-being. It is a child’s developing capacity to express and regulate emotions, form trusting relationships, explore, and learn—all in the cultural context of family and community. The Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center website offers several resources for supporting the mental health and well-being of children and the adults that care for them.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s mission is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States. The website is frequently updated to provide resources regarding early childhood trauma, as well as other related topics.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
When a couple has an anxiety disorder, both partners face a new set of challenges, and other challenges may be exacerbated. This article provides resources on how to support a spouse or partner when one is experiencing anxiety disorder.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness and provides various resources on its website to assist with addressing the challenges of mental illness.
UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center and UCLA Health
UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center, UCLA Health offers the Mindful App. With this easy-to-use app, you can practice mindfulness meditation anywhere, anytime with the guidance of the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center. Scientific research shows mindfulness can help manage stress-related physical conditions, reduce anxiety and depression, cultivate positive emotions, and help improve overall physical health and well-being. Practice mindfulness with this free app:
UCLA Mindful App
Focus on the Go app is a free game from UCLA that helps families enhance and develop coping skills.
Zero to Three
The Earliest podcast takes a deep and personal look into mental health in the earliest years of life.
The Discovery Source
Children experience big emotions. The Discovery Source offers The Calming Kit. The kit provides ideas for simple things to do at home to support children. This resource includes a link to Belly Breathing with Elmo.
Immediate Assistance
If you or someone you know is experiencing negative mental health effects and need more immediate assistance, please reach out to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disasters Stress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK). Both are available 24/7, 365 days a year.