Youth Resources
This is a list of local resources specific to youth (under 18) and their loved ones, compiled by volunteers.
Please note that these resources are not vetted and not listed as recommendations from NAMI.
Please note that these resources are not vetted and not listed as recommendations from NAMI.
For Youth and Teens
Check out our "Student Resources" tab for hotlines and mental health chat lines, online learning, and more!
For Parents and Caregivers
Check out our Family Support Groups for Parents/Caregivers of Transition Age Youth and Parents/Caregivers of Youth
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NAMI Teen and Young Adult (TYA) HelpLine: A free nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals, and support to teens and young adults.
Our T&YA Specialists are young people who understand what you’re going through because they have been through stuff, too. They are experienced and well-trained. They care and want to help you find a way forward. |
Santa Cruz County Children's and Adolescent Behavioral Health
Serving Medi-Cal eligible youth who have moderate to severe behavioral health needs. Services may include assessment and treatment planning, individual, family, and group therapy, psycho-education and when necessary psychiatry services. Services are provided throughout the community in both North and South County. We strive to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
(800) 952-2335
24-Hour Access Line
Santa Cruz: (831) 454-4170
Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm
1400 Emeline Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA
Watsonville: (831) 763-8200
Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm
1430 Freedom Blvd., Suite B
Watsonville, CA
711
For hearing impaired clients
https://www.santacruzhealth.org/HSAHome/HSADivisions/BehavioralHealth/ChildandAdolescentBehavioralHealthServices.aspx
Behavioral Health Resources Guide
(800) 952-2335
24-Hour Access Line
Santa Cruz: (831) 454-4170
Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm
1400 Emeline Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA
Watsonville: (831) 763-8200
Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm
1430 Freedom Blvd., Suite B
Watsonville, CA
711
For hearing impaired clients
https://www.santacruzhealth.org/HSAHome/HSADivisions/BehavioralHealth/ChildandAdolescentBehavioralHealthServices.aspx
Behavioral Health Resources Guide
Santa Cruz County Schools Student & Family Behavioral Health Supports
Updated on 9/14/22, this comprehensive resource guide includes Behavioral Health Services, Health Care Providers, Substance Use Disorder Resources, School District Information and Contacts, and Crisis Services.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1phP3v710rM5oaY62dw4zRv-kUtWxjISQGxXF3g9jlMw/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1phP3v710rM5oaY62dw4zRv-kUtWxjISQGxXF3g9jlMw/edit?usp=sharing
Walnut Avenue Family Center
Walnut Avenue offers free one-on-one and group support for youth.
Santa Cruz: (831) 426-3062
http://www.wafwc.org/children-youth
Santa Cruz: (831) 426-3062
http://www.wafwc.org/children-youth
Encompass Youth Services
Encompass's Youth & Family programs offer a spectrum of services for children, youth, and families including counseling, parenting education, and substance use disorder treatment. Staff are trained to work with specialty populations and offer trauma-informed services from a systems perspective.
Santa Cruz/Watsonville: 831-429-8350
https://www.encompasscs.org/youth_family_behavioral_health
Santa Cruz/Watsonville: 831-429-8350
https://www.encompasscs.org/youth_family_behavioral_health
Parents Helping Parents
Extensive support for parents of children with various special needs: support groups (including anxiety/mood disorders, autism, and solo parenting), workshops, e-learning library, IEP support, 504 plan support and more.
San Jose: 855-727-5775
https://www.php.com/
San Jose: 855-727-5775
https://www.php.com/
Willows in the Wind
Help for parents with high risk teens considering residential treatment, including support groups, education, transition & aftercare support, and resources.
Bay Area: 650-868-1988
https://www.willowsinthewind.com/
Bay Area: 650-868-1988
https://www.willowsinthewind.com/
Sky's the Limit Fund
Sky’s the Limit Fund (STLF) supports youth in crisis and their families with financial need by providing funds that enable youth to attend one of their Wilderness Therapy Partner Programs.
https://www.skysthelimitfund.org/get-help/
https://www.skysthelimitfund.org/get-help/
All Kinds of Therapy
All Kinds of Therapy is a comprehensive, independent fact-based online directory for Family Choice Behavioral Healthcare Interventions (FCBHI) and the substance abuse industry for troubled teens and young adults.
https://www.allkindsoftherapy.com/
https://www.allkindsoftherapy.com/
CA Parent & Youth Helpline and Support Group
LearnHowtoBecome.org
Our guide will help your visitors:
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/teen-mental-health-guide/
- Develop a deeper understanding of how to support teens returning to school
- Gain insight into the different aspects of teen mental health and stressors they may face
- Discover additional mental health organizations and resources that will guide them
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/teen-mental-health-guide/
The Child Mind Institute
From the California Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Project. Video and print resources for students, parents, and educators to learn, and to teach kids, mental health and coping skills. Available also in Spanish.
https://childmind.org
https://childmind.org
FostrSpace
The Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health Lab is releasing FostrSpace, a mental health and wellness platform designed for foster youth by foster youth. The directory within our app features your organization as a resource for youth to access! We are hoping you can assist us with sharing this opportunity for young people (ages 18-26) who are currently or formerly involved in the foster care system.
Below is a flyer that can be distributed widely and here is a demo video created in collaboration with our TAY co-designers to better explain the flow of the app. More details on the app can be found below and at the Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health Lab's website here.
FostrSpace Features:
Below is a flyer that can be distributed widely and here is a demo video created in collaboration with our TAY co-designers to better explain the flow of the app. More details on the app can be found below and at the Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health Lab's website here.
FostrSpace Features:
- Goal-organization, Mood check-ins
- Curated resource directory for San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, and Contra Costa Counties
- Access to the FostrSpace Care Crew, which includes:
- Experienced mental health clinicians who work with users to create a tailored care plan and session schedule based on individual needs and experiences
- A navigator who takes the role of goal-collaborator and care coordinator by providing connections to resources such as housing, food, employment and immigration, (+ others) so folks don’t have to navigate life alone
| FostrSpace Flyer |
Sutter Health: Scout
Scout by Sutter Health™ is a non-clinical, digital experience that helps young people ages 12-26 build resilience and self-manage their mental health. Scout participants are connected to guides who deliver evidence-based educational content, tips and activities in a web- and mobile-friendly format.
Scout is also available for caregivers. Caregivers can sign up to receive content that helps them better understand, support, and connect with their loved ones.
https://www.sutterhealth.org/lp/scout/
Scout is also available for caregivers. Caregivers can sign up to receive content that helps them better understand, support, and connect with their loved ones.
https://www.sutterhealth.org/lp/scout/
