Crisis Text Services in Santa Clara County

Crisis services are now available via text messaging in Santa Clara County.  

About half of adults will experience a mental health challenge over the course of their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now, emotionally or mentally distressed residents in Santa Clara County have access to free, text-based, confidential assistance from trained Crisis Text Line counselors by texting “RENEW” to 741741. The support is free, accessible 24/7, and confidential. Learn more at www.sccbhsd.org/suicideprevention

To date, Crisis Text Line, a national organization, has answered more than 84 million messages. The organization has more than 4,500 active Crisis Counselors with strict safeguards and protocols to provide care, safety, and confidentiality for each user. “The ability to offer text-based support to people in need adds a new dimension to our outreach services, and is an especially important tool to offer to young people in Santa Clara County,” said Toni Tullys, Director of the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department, adding, “It’s important to make access to counseling easy and approachable, and text-based support does both.”

The vast majority of Crisis Text Line users are under age 25; partnering with Crisis Text Line is an important part of our work to address the issue of youth suicides – including college-age youth.” The County’s Behavioral Health Services Department already offers a 24/7, free, confidential Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 1 (855) 278-4204​​, mental health services information and referrals at 1 (800) 704-0900, and substance abuse services information and referrals at 1 (800) 488-9919.

Santa Clara County Mental Health Urgent Care

This is a place to go with urgent mental health issues in Santa Clara County:

Linea de Crisis: Spanish Language Crisis Line

May Is Mental Health Month: Each Mind Matters

A ribbon to wear and information about the Each Mind Matters Campaign.

**Documentary Review: In Our Community: Mental Illness: Diana Guido

In Our Community.  It is so difficult to lay your life open, but in this case Ms. Diana Guido does this and does it very well.  She is a peer support, substance abuse counselor for Santa Clara County.  She gives a very good over view of mental health services.  This includes a discussion of the WRAP course.  Wellness Recovery Action Plan is an evidence based peer support service in which attendees develop their person plan for wellness.  She also talks of being a Mental Health First Aider. This also is a national training to help encourage people to look out for each other.  She also educates people to the county's crisis and warm line, 1-855-278-4204.

**Suicide Attempt Stories: Stories of Hope and Recovery

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBXgZMI_zqfR4dvBdX7XHD-fjgoehFM_9

This presentation gives three stories of people who attempted suicide, but are now on the way to recovery,  It has stories fron three different age groups high school, adult and older adult.  Jordan, in high school, appears to have everything going for him.  However getting a C, and his parents discovering he is drinking leads him to attempt.  He jumped out of a window, and was in a coma for a week.  As he came out of the coma, he committed to taking steps to lead to his recovery.
Terry's husband passed away from Lou Gehrig's disease.  Things spiraled until a year later she attempted suicide via drugs and alcohol.  This story tells us of the importance of asking the questions.  Sometimes we fear intruding, but if we are worried, we need to ask, "Are you thinking of suicide?"  Terry first worked at being safe.  Her therapist suggested she write, and she published a book about hr experience.
David was older, and works in the mental healht profession.  A time away from his family lead to spiraling depression, and suicide attempt.  Others said, you need help, but it wasn't until he said I need help, that things started to get better.
This film is good for the insight it gives and the hope.
it is sponsored by"
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK and
SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association