Seeking Treatment
There are numerous agencies and organizations in the Greater Los Angeles area and beyond that can help you find treatment and resources for you or your loved one. One of the best organizations is called NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). NAMI is a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to providing support, information, and education to families and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness. You can find the local NAMI chapter near you by contacting the national NAMI office at (800)950-NAMI or going onto NAMI's website, www.nami.org.
Other reputable organizations with referral capabilities include:
- National Mental Health Association (800)969-NMHA www.nmha.org
- www.mhala.org for the Greater Los Angeles area
- American Psychological Association (800)374-2721 www.apa.org
- American Psychiatric Association (888)357-7924 www.psych.org
In addition, you are welcome to contact or come by the Nathanson Family Resource Center, where we have facilitators to help you with your questions, as well as additional access to mental health resources. Individuals or families may use the Southern California Rainbow Resource Guide, which is an in-depth and thorough directory of social service organizations around the Southern California area.
The Nathanson Family Resource Center is located on the B level of the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital, in room B8-248. The phone number is (310)794-9584, and the email address is nfrc@mednet.ucla.edu.
Living with a loved one with a mental illness may be difficult and you may benefit from therapy for yourself as well. Again, any of the resources listed elsewhere on this site will be helpful to you.
If you cannot find help through any of the national organizations, here are a couple of websites that can also help:
My loved one was sent home but we followed up and the therapists that were recommended to us are not taking new clients or don't see adolescents/children - what do we do now?
The first thing you should do is contact the case manager or social worker who gave you the original recommendations. They will likely have additional recommendations, and they will probably be happy to know the current status of the therapists on their referral lists.
I understand that a lot of kids and teens use drugs these days. I am concerned that my teen might be turning to illegal drugs or alcohol. Where can I go for tips about talking with my teen about drug use? Also, where could I find out how his or her medications might interact with other substances?
There are a number of places where you can go and people you can talk to for advice, including your child's school counselor, your local hospital outreach program, your local YMCA, or your church or synagogue. To find out about how his or her medications might interact with other substances, you can talk with your doctor, or other knowledgeable professionals, including your local pharmacist, pharmaceutical companies, or reputable mental health care organizations (such as NAMI or NMHA).
The following are a list of websites that could be helpful:
- Teen Drug Abuse www.teendrugabuse.net 1-800-688-8706
- Teen Drug Abuse www.teen-drug-abuse.org 1-866-784-8411
- National Institute on Drug Abuse www.nida.nih.gov 301-443-1124
- Help my Teen www.helpmyteen.com 1-800-247-1696
My child was released from the hospital but we are struggling with having him or her at home, and I am starting to consider placement in a private facility. Where can I go to learn about programs that might help us?
Both NAMI and Regional Center are excellent resources to help you. Also try Healthy City at www.healthycity.org. The Southern California Rainbow Resources Guide, which is available at the Nathanson Center, will also be an excellent resource for you. Finally, for addition recommendations, talk with the case manager or social worker who worked with your family while your child was in the hospital.
My child has such a difficult time making friends. Where can I find out about obtaining additional social skills training for him or her?
Regional Centers offer social and recreational programs which can develop social interaction and leisure skills, as well as increase your child's community involvement. Contact your local Regional Center for more information.
UCLA also offers Social Skills and intervention programs for teenagers and young adults
A 5150 is a legal hold imposed on a person that is be lieved to be in need of involuntary psychiatric treatment in California. The person is believed to be at least one of the following:
- A Danger to Themselves
- A Danger to Others
- Gravely Disabled (unable to provide for their own food, shelter, or clothing)
Once a police officer, or any other individual that is certified to put people on a 5150 hold , has issued a 5150 to the person believed to be one of the above, that person will be taken to a psychiatric hospital and can be legally held for up to 72 hours. During the first 24 hours of the 72-hour period, the person must be evaluated by two psychiatrists to determine if admission to the hospital for further treatment is necessary. If both doctors determine further treatment is necessary, the patient is admitted to the hospital.
Once the 72-hour period is up, the patient may choose to remain in the hospital voluntarily. If the patient decides not to stay voluntarily, and the doctors believe additional treatment is necessary, the patient can be certified with a 5250 for involuntary treatment for up to an addition 14 days.
My loved one has a mental illness and is homeless. I have been told that the shelters fill up quickly. How do I contact local shelters and how long can someone stay in one?
You can contact the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority's referral service at (800)339-6993, or visit their website at www.lahsa.org for information on local shelters. You can also call the Shelter Hotline at 1-800-548-6047 or TDD: 1-800-660-4026. In the Santa Monica area Step Up on Second is a good organization for those with persistent or severe mental illness: www.stepuponsecond.org or 310-394-6889
I was told that my loved one had one diagnosis and now another doctor is telling me that she has a different diagnosis. Is it possible to have more than one diagnosis?
It is possible to have more than one diagnosis; however, questions related to diagnosis are best answered by your doctor.
I am familiar with the internet, and comfortable working on the computer, but I understand that many websites are not credible. Where can I go to find reliable information on a diagnosis of mental illness?
The following reputable National Mental Health organizations, each with their own websites, are good places to go for reliable information on mental illnesses:
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI): www.nami.org
- National Mental Health Association (NMHA): www.nmha.org
- American Psychological Association: www.apa.org
- American Psychiatric Association: www.psych.org
- National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov
- Support and Family Education (SAFE) Facts for Families w3.ouhsc.edu/safeprogram
My loved one was released from the hospital and I was told that the discharge summary would be mailed to me, but it hasn't arrived yet. Who can I talk to if I want to follow up on this matter?
You should contact the case manager or social worker who was working with your loved one in the hospital.
