Managing Your Mental Wellness

We all experience daily stressors that affect our mental and emotional health, and we all feel sad or anxious from time to time. It’s important to monitor how we’re feeling and regularly check in on our loved ones.

Often, daily self-care practices can help support overall mental and physical wellness, however, if you or a loved one are feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, it’s important to educate yourself on the signs of a mental health challenge and seek help when needed.

The County of San Diego has a variety of resources available to help you navigate mental health challenges and daily stressors. Below you can find a list of materials and self-care tools for your mental health and wellbeing in the following categories: 

In addition to life’s universal stressors, communities that have been historically discriminated against face additional challenges to maintaining their mental health. Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, and/or queer (LGBTQ+) community experience unique stressors, including micro-aggressions, stigma, and discrimination, that can worsen mental health challenges. Local resources are available that are tailored to your community. Use the It’s Up 2 Us Resource Tool to help you find the right resources for yourself or your loved one. 

Mental Health Resources

Mental Health Resources for Families, Parents, Caregivers & Youth

Online and Phone Supports

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  • 2-1-1 San Diego
    • Dial 2-1-1, or visit www.211sandiego.org, for access to community, health, social, and disaster services. The call is free, confidential, and available in more than 200 languages with access to 6,000+ services, resources, and programs.
  • Access & Crisis Line (ACL)
    • Call the Access and Crisis Line at 1 (888) 724-7240 for free, confidential support and resources if you are dealing with alcohol, drug, or mental health challenges. Experienced counselors are available 24/7 in over 200 languages. 
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Line
    • Dial 9-8-8* to be directed to a local crisis call center or visit the website for more information. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or loved ones. 
    • *Individuals with San Diego County area codes (619, 858, 760 or 442) dialing 9-8-8 will have their calls routed to the ACL. Calls made from other area codes will be routed to the local crisis call center based on the caller’s area code. San Diego County residents and visitors are encouraged to reach out directly to the ACL at 1 (888) 724-7240 as the region’s existing crisis call center.
  • The NAMI Peer-to-Peer Warmline
    • Call the Peer-to-Peer Warmline at 619-295-1055 from 3:30 pm - 11:00 pm, 7 days/week, to speak to a Peer Support Specialist. The Warmline is a non-crisis phone service that provides callers with information, referrals, support, and empathy.
  • Teen Line
    • Text "TEEN" to 839863 or call 800-TLC-TEEN (nationwide toll-free) from 6pm to 10pm PST to connect with a trained, Teen Line teen volunteer for support. 
  • California Youth Crisis Line
    • Youth ages 12-24 or families in crisis can call or text 800-843-5200, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak to a trained staff or volunteer counselor. Translation services are available for multiple languages.
  • SAMHSA Disaster Distress Line

Emotional Support and Wellness

Emotional Support

 

Keeping in touch with friends and family members who can boost your mood with a joke or hug can make a big difference in your mental health. But it can be hard to reach out when experiencing an emotional or mental health crisis. Learn more about how to stay connected to loved ones during difficult times and ways to maintain and support yours and others emotional health at the Take Action for Mental Health website.

 

Wellness

 

Research has shown that meditation and mindfulness may have several health benefits, including helping to improve stress and anxiety management, lowering blood pressure, and reducing insomnia. Check out the links below to explore some free resources and see how mindfulness meditation can help you.
 

Benefit Programs

The programs listed below can assist families or individuals qualified to receive assistance. For more information on the programs, including eligibility requirements, visit the websites below.

If you are looking for a service that isn't listed here, call 2-1-1 to speak to someone who can guide you through your options. 

  • Food Resources
    • CalFresh – CalFresh food benefits can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmers' markets, and online
      • Disaster CalFresh – Assists with food needs for people affected by a food, fire, earthquake, or other natural disasters
    • Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Food Benefits – Serves babies and children up to age 5, pregnant women, and new mothers
    • Meals and Senior Dining – Information on nutrition services for older adults, including dining centers and meal delivery
       
  • Income and Rental Assistance
    • Cash Aid (CalWORKs) – Extra cash to pay for rent, housing, food, clothing, medical payments, and utilities for families with at least one child in the home
    • General Relief – Temporary cash assistance to adults who are not supported by their own means, other public funds, or programs
    • Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing – Rental assistance for homeless veterans
    • Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants – Cash assistance for immigrants who are not eligible for the federally funded Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) program
       

Additional County Resources

  • Other Resources