Mental health

Service providers
​Local resources
Helpful websites
Our other resource pages

​Experiencing a mental health crisis?
Please call the Southwest Washington Crisis Line ​(open 24/7/365) at 1.800.626.8137. The Crisis Line can help when you or a loved one is

• threatening to harm or kill themselves or others.
• acting recklessly or violently.
• having hallucinations (seeing things that are not there), delusions (false beliefs), or are not able to care for themselves.
• experiencing something else that feels overwhelming or uncontrollable.

Do you need help advocating for your mental health needs?
Please call the mental health ombudsman (advocate) at 1.509.434.4951. ​An ombudsman will advocate for, and speak on behalf of, qualified mental health consumers and their families. They will investigate your complaint/grievance, recommend solutions, and help you resolve whatever issue you may have regarding getting your mental health needs met.

 

Service providers

Visit our Counseling, Death, Loss, and Grief, Drugs and Alcohol, Eating Disorders and Health Care resource pages for local agencies offering specific mental health and behavioral health services:

Counseling

Death, Loss, and Grief

Drugs and Alcohol

Eating Disorders

Health Care

 

Local resources

Family, Youth, System Partner Roundtable (FYSPRT)

​360.605.8329

A forum where you can share your experience and insight into creating a higher quality and more accessible mental health system for families who are utilizing these important community resources. Youth and families are equal partners at the table. Group meets monthly on the third Monday from 4-6 pm at YWCA Clark County, 3609 Main St, Vancouver. Refreshments provided. Incentives offered to youth who participate.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southwest Washington

2500 Main Street, Vancouver
360.695.2823

Programs and support groups for people with mental illness(es) and/or behavioral issues and their families.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

1.800.772.1213

Children from birth to age 18 may get SSI benefits (cash assistance from the government). In order to qualify, the youth must have a disability: a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits their activities and the condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death. The youth must also have little or no income and resources.

Youth Advocacy and Empowerment

​360.605.8329

Facilitated by a peer, youth with experience in the mental health system have an opportunity to come together to empower each other and learn how to advocate for themselves. As a work group of the Family, Youth, System Partner Roundtable (FYSPRT), this group brings its ideas to the larger group for additional support.

 

Helpful websites

Information

HelpGuide.org

Information on mental health and healthy lifestyles, including tips on how to cope, survive and thrive.

TeensHealth: Mental health

Learn about different mental health issues in a way that is easy to understand. Also learn how to find low-cost medical care, what therapy is, why people get depressed, and more.

Coping skills and alternatives to self-injury

TeenHelp.org: Alternatives to self-harm

More alternatives to self-injury based on what need you're trying to fill, like Buddy Project's Alternatives, and adds alternatives for those who self-injure to distract themselves, to take up time, or because they are feeling scared or have other reasons they self-injure.

The Butterfly Project

The Butterfly Project is an alternative to self-harming by taking a marker and drawing a butterfly on the area where the self-harm usually occurs. You then name the butterfly after someone you love and care about a lot. You must let the butterfly fade naturally; if you self-harm before it fades, the butterfly dies.

Supporting a loved one who self-injures

TeensHealth: How can I help a friend who cuts?

Learn how to support your friend by being informed, managing your feelings, finding ways to help, discovering things to avoid, and knowing what to do if your friend rejects help.

How do I talk to my parents/caregivers?

BoysTown: How to talk to your parents

Learn how to talk to your parents/guardians about any difficult subject. Some tips include: pick a parent, pick a place, pick a time, watch your moods and follow up. Also learn what to do if talking is sure to backfire and what to do if you’re still feeling anxious.

Child Mind Institute: How to talk to your parents about getting help

Learn how to talk to your parents/guardians about getting help. Some tips include: know that there’s nothing wrong with asking for help, bring it up, explain how you’re feeling, say what you want, try again if you need to, and don’t wait.

TeensHealth: Talking to your parents or other adults

Learn how to talk to your parents about everyday stuff, every day. Also learn how to bring up difficult topics (including knowing what you want from the conversation, identifying your feelings, and picking a good time to talk), how to talk so your parents will listen, and what to do if talking to your parents doesn’t work.

How do I find the right therapist?

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Finding the right mental health professional for you

Learn how to find the right mental health professional for you by reflecting on who you are looking for, learning how to start the search, discovering what it means to be the interviewer, evaluating the relationship, and knowing when you found the right one.

Psychology Today: How to find the best therapist for you

Learn how to find the right therapist for you by asking friends and family, shopping online, thinking how gender might play a role in your decision, calling potential therapists, and thinking about other things to consider when choosing a therapist.

 

Our other resource pages

Visit our Suicide Prevention resource page if you are considering dying by suicide

Suicide Prevention