This is a resource guide for coping with mental
health problems published by Mental Health Association in California and reprinted here by
permission.
We all want mental health, but mental
health means different things to each of us. Most mentally healthy people enjoy life and
usually:
 | Feel good about themselves. |
| Feel comfortable with other people. |
| Have satisfying personal relationships. |
| Are able to meet the challenges and changes of life. |
| Enjoy their jobs or school. |
 But we all have difficult
times when we may experience mental health problems. While many people think that major
mental and emotional disorders are rare and happen only to others, the truth is that one
in five individuals will have a mental disorder at some point in life.
We hope this guide will be informative and will help to relieve some of the pain,
loneliness and anxiety that accompany mental and emotional disorders.
Sometimes coping with the stress and problems of modern life is more than you can do
alone. If you need help, this brief guide will assist you in your search to find
professional assistance for yourself, a friend or a family member. It will:
| Help you know when you or a loved one needs help. |
| Lead you step by step in finding a mental health professional who can help meet your
needs. |
| Familiarize you with how treatment takes place. |
| Direct you to helpful resources such as mental health agencies and support groups. |
| Explain your rights as a mental health client. |
How do you know when you need help?
Finding help
How therapy works
Help for children
Help for adolescents
Older adults
Getting help for an adult other than yourself
Crisis/emergency procedures
Paying for mental health care
Consumers' rights and responsibilities
Severe mental disorders
Getting help (includes hotline numbers)
Association chapters
Mental health professionals: The "Reaching for the Light" guide is available
as a handbook, in both English and Spanish. For more information and a printable order
form, click here.
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