Healthy Living with Mental Illness: More Information

Local Resources

Turning Point Foundation: Mental illness recovery and support services, including housing and community centers.
(805) 652-0000
turningpointfoundation.org

The Client Network: Resource referrals for any level of care, community forums & advocacy. (805) 981-4228

For assessment and referral: Call the VCBH STAR Team at 1-866-998-2243.

If you're in crisis: Call the VCBH Crisis Team at 1-866-998-2243.

Emergency: If you believe your loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis and you need the assistance of law enforcement, call 911.

Community Resources: Call 2-1-1, visit www.211ventura.org or text your zip code to 898211.

More Resources:

Area Agency on Aging: Call 805-477-7300 or click here
Care Givers: Assisting the elderly Age 60+ - Call (805) 658-8530
In-Home Support Services (HSA): Medi-Cal and Long Term Care - Call (805) 654-3260
Adult Protective Services: Report abuse or neglect - Call (805) 654-3200

National Resources:

Mental Health Healthy Living With Mental Illness Young Adults (16-25) with Mental Health Concerns Adults with Mental Illness Older Adults with Mental Illness Families of Adults with Mental Illness Healthy Living FAQs Recovery from Mental Illness Wellness Action Plan Wellness Toolbox

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS & MYTHBUSTING

Watch the BringChange2Mind video - Change a Mind About Mental Illness.
Watch all the BringChange2Mind videos.

MENTAL ILLNESS

See NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for descriptions of specific mental illnesses.
See the National Institute of Mental Health for the latest research.
Visit Brain & Behavior Research Foundation for more information.

SUPPORT: IN PERSON, BY PHONE & ONLINE

See Local Resources on the right for support groups and services.
Recovery and Support - Information can be found at Mental Health America.
Online forums at Psych Central.
Online Support Group - for more information visit Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

ABOUT MEDICATIONS

Find the latest information from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Mental Health Medications: National Institute of Mental Health
See the FDA database for information about specific medications.
"Medication for Success" class - see RICA (listed at the right)

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICATIONS

Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare
The Medicine Program provides patient assistance with the enrollment process in drug assistance programs.
Needymeds, a non-profit information resource helps people find assistance programs to help them afford medications and health care costs.
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage find public or private programs that can help them get the medication they need.
RxAssist offers a comprehensive database of patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles.
A list of drug companies that offer assistance programs: NAMI Patient Prescription Drug Assistance Programs

COMMUNITY SERVICES

For counseling, food assistance, health care, housing, legal assistance, transportation, and much more, call 211 for help in finding the services you need, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Community Action of Ventura County provides housing, food, employment, family, and legal services.

EMPLOYMENT

Ventura County One-Stop Job & Career Centers: For information about finding work, preparing resumes and more.
California Department of Rehabilitation, Vocational Rehabilitation Services:
Oxnard-Ventura branch: (805) 385-2400
Thousand Oaks branch: (805) 371-6279
Watch Mental Health Works' “Working Through It” video
Also see How to Talk About Mental Illness

VETERANS SERVICES

Services for veterans and their dependents are available through the Ventura County Human Services Agency. For more information, visit Veterans Services or call (805) 477-5155.

LOCAL ADVOCACY

For information about advocacy to help shape policies and counteract discrimination and stigma, see contact information for NAMI Ventura County and The Client Network on the right. The Ventura County Behavioral Health Advisory Board advises the county on what services are needed locally, and has committees which include concerned local citizens. To find out more about this board, call (805) 981-1115.

DISABILITY RIGHTS

California Disability Access Information: For more information, visit Disability Access Services.

OLDER ADULT AND CAREGIVING SERVICES.