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MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

Mental Health

Did you know that more than 49 million Americans struggles with mental illness; and that more than 1 in 4 adults living with serious mental illnesses, also struggles with substance use challenge.

 

Mental illnesses can affect people of any age, race, religion, or income. A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, and ability to relate to others and daily functioning. 

Your mental health — your psychological, emotional, and social well-being — impacts every area of your life. Having positive mental health allows you to effectively deal with the daily stressors of life, communicate well with others, make healthy decisions and live life to its fullest.  

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services & Mental Health America.

Support For California Families | Free App's

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In January 2024, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) launched two free apps, Soluna and Brightlife Kids, to provide behavioral health services to young Californians and their caregivers. These apps are available to all California families, regardless of income, health insurance, or immigration status.

Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders

A substance use challenge is a condition that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to a person’s inability to control their use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms can range from moderate to severe.

Individuals who experience a substance use issue during their lives may also experience a co-occurring mental condition and vice versa. Co-occurring conditions can include anxiety disordersdepressionattention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)bipolar disorderpersonality disorders, and schizophrenia, among others.

B H S

Behavioral Heath Services

Treatment, Support, and Services

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES (BHS)

Colusa County's dynamic BHS provider offers timely, quality, and professional outpatient treatment services for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). They provide a whole-person care approach, including evidence-based groups, individual therapy, case management, medication-assisted treatment, and assistance with entering a residential rehab, as well as many other beneficial programs and mental health services, not listed here.

 

SAFE HAVEN DROP-IN CENTER 

Beyond traditional treatment options, BHS also manages Safe Haven, a peer-supported recovery and wellness drop-in center. Safe Haven is a vital community resource supporting adults from diverse backgrounds, including seniors, vets, lbgtq+, justice-involved individuals, and community members at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness, by connecting them with essential services and housing assistance, in addition to featuring a food pantry, free internet access, a clothing closet, and laundry services. Safe Haven also offers a comprehensive range of person centered, strength-based groups, including life skills training, wellness principles, arts & crafts, self love, and relapse prevention groups.

 ​​Visit BHS website to learn more or call them at 530-458-0520, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.


FREE TO DOWNLOAD

 

SELF EMPOWERMENT BOOKLET

Tips on how to choose a mental health provider and more. Free booklet from the Board of Behavioral Services in California.

Mental and Emotional Health Resilience in Sobriety

(Colusa County Recovery) - Achieving and maintaining sobriety is a complex journey that requires ongoing commitment and support. While abstaining from substance use is a critical component of recovery, it is equally important to address the underlying issues that may have led to addiction in the first place. This is where mental and emotional health comes into play.

One of the most important aspects of mental and emotional health in sobriety is developing personal resilience. This includes building coping skills and healthy habits to manage stress, anxiety, and other difficult emotions that can trigger a relapse. As Susan Wagenaar, founder of Colusa County Recovery, points out, "In order to achieve long-term sobriety, individuals must focus on their well-being and personal resilience, which involves developing healthy habits that support their recovery journey."

 

“In addition to building resilience, addressing mental and emotional health issues through therapy, drug counseling, and support groups can also be crucial in maintaining sobriety,” says Wagenaar. “This can help individuals process past traumas or negative experiences that may have contributed to their addiction, as well as develop healthy communication skills and coping strategies.”

 

Ultimately, the journey to sobriety is a unique and personal one, but it is important to remember that mental and emotional health are integral components of the recovery process. With the right support, resources, and focus on mental and emotional health, individuals can achieve lasting sobriety and live their best life.

SELF-CARE

The World Health Organization defines self-care as: “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.” According to this definition, self-care includes everything related to staying physically healthy — including hygiene, nutrition, and seeking medical care when needed. It’s all the steps an individual can take to manage stressors in his or her life and take care of his or her own health and well-being.

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SOBRIETY APP

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MENTAL WELLNESS

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MEDITATION APP

Self-Care 

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10 Mental Illness Signs You Should Not Ignore
07:16
Psych2Go

10 Mental Illness Signs You Should Not Ignore

Mental illness, also known as mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health problems that affect your mood, thinking, and behavior for a sustained period of time. Depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors are examples of mental illnesses that can have a long-lasting impact on you. Are you wondering if your mental health is deteriorating? Do you remember the last time you felt sad, anxious, or scared that you were somehow “off”? As a disclaimer, do not use this video to self diagnose. These are more like warning signs that you should not ignore. Use them as a guide when talking to a professional when explaining how you are feeling. #mentalhealth #psych2go #mentalillness Related Videos: 10 Common Mental Illnesses Crash Course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaSpas9hWNQ 7 Silent Facts About People Struggling With Their With Mental illness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG1VpuLFAjA 5 Signs Your Mental Health is Falling Apart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Aa-KTDTCEI&t=1s Credits Writer: Spicevicious Script Editor: Kelly Soong VO: Amanda Silvera Animator: Clarisse Lim Xingyi YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong Storyboarder: Yi Lin Did you enjoy this animation? Would you like to see more? You can find more of Clarisse's work on our channel here: https://youtu.be/bny9YViO15o References American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). “Mood Disorders and ADHD.” Healthy Children.org. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Mood-Disorders-ADHD.aspx American Psychiatric Association. (2020). “What Is Depression?” American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression Australian Government Department of Health. (2007). “What is Mental Illness?” Australian Government Department of Health. Retrieved from https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-pubs-w-whatmen-toc~mental-pubs-w-whatmen-what Brådvik L. (2018). Suicide Risk and Mental Disorders. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(9), 2028. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15092028 Harvard Medical School. (2020). “Sleep and Mental Health.” Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/sleep-and-mental-health Healthline. (2020). “Do I Have Anger Issues? How to Identify and Treat an Angry Outlook.” Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/anger-issues#causes Kumari, R., Chaudhury, S., & Kumar, S. (2013). Dimensions of hallucinations and delusions in affective and nonaffective illnesses. ISRN psychiatry, 2013, 616304. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/616304 Mental Health America. (2020). “Mental Illness and the Family: Recognizing Warning Signs and How to Cope.” Mental Health America. Retrieved from https://www.mhanational.org/recognizing-warning-signs Mental Health Foundation. (2020). “The Truth about Self-Harm.” Mental Health Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/truth-about-self-harm MentalHelp.net. (2015). “Recognizing Anger Signs.” MentalHelp.net. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhelp.net/anger/recognizing-signs/ MentalHealth.gov. (2019). “Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders.” MentalHealth.gov. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/mental-health-substance-use-disorders National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. (2020). “Bipolar Disorder.” National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/bipolar-disorder National Institute of Mental Health . (2020). “Generalized Anxiety Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. (2020). “Psychosis.” National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/earlypsychosis National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. (2020). “10 Signs of Mental Illness” National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/learn-more/know-the-warning-signs National Institute of Mental Health . (2020). “Depression in Women: 5 Things You Should Know.” National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml Raymond H. Starr, Howard Dubowitz, Chapter 41 - SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL AND ISOLATION, Editor(s): William B. Carey, Allen C. Crocker, William L. Coleman, Ellen Roy Elias, Heidi M. Feldman, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (Fourth Edition), W.B. Saunders, 2009, Pages 397-406, ISBN 9781416033707, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-4160-3370-7.00041-9. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781416033707000419) Trampe, D., Quoidbach, J., & Taquet, M. (2015). Emotions in Everyday Life. PloS one, 10(12), e0145450. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0145450

Positive Mental Health Quotes

  • “Your illness is not your identity. Your chemistry is not your character.” — Rick Warren

  • You are worthy of love and respect. You are beautiful, gifted, and intelligent."  — Russell T Davies.

  •  "Life is not always perfect. Like a road, it has many bends, ups and down, but that’s its beauty." -Amit Ray

  • “One small crack does not mean that you are broken, it means that you were put to the test and you didn’t fall apart.” — Linda Poindexter

  • “Take your time healing, as long as you want. Nobody else knows what you’ve been through. How could they know how long it will take to heal you?” — Abertoli

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MENTAL HEALTH JEOPARDY
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