Support Groups
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
I am the caregiver to a child with special needs. I am overwhelmed and exhausted. I heard something about "respite care". How could I apply for it?
Respite care is short-term care provided to people with disabilities so their families can take a break from the daily routine of caregiving. You can contact your local regional center for more information about respite care. The National Respite Locator Service (www.respitelocator.org) can also help you find care in your local area.
I would like to get my special needs child involved in some extra-curricular activities - are there organizations that we can turn to?
Regional Centers offer social and recreational programs for your child. They can also provide additional recommendations for extra-curricular activities that will best suit the needs of your child.
If your child is autistic, you can contact The Foothill Autism Alliance at www.foothillautism.org or via phone at 1-818-662-8847.
Someone in our family has a problem with substance abuse. Are there any organizations that can help her? And are there groups for the rest of us in the family that are affected by the drug/alcohol abuse?
There are numerous agencies and organizations in the Greater Los Angeles area and beyond that can help you find substance abuse-related treatment and resources for you or your loved one. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (www.samhsa.gov) can help you find community o utpatient and inpatient treatment facilities, as well as provide you with a listing of available support groups within your community.
Specialized substance abuse-related support groups include:
- Alcoholics Anonymous http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
- Al-Anon http://www.al-anon.alateen.org (for the families of alcoholics)
- Alateen http://www.al-anon.alateen.org (a subset of Al-Anon directed toward young people)
- Dual Recovery Anonymous www.draonline.org (support for those who have both a mental illness and a substance abuse problem)
- Narcotics Anonymous www.na.org
- Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center www.didihirsch.org
Are there support groups online? My other responsibilities prevent me from attending regular meetings anywhere, but I would like to connect with other people who are in a situation similar to mine when I get a free moment.
There are a number of online support groups for a variety of mental health issues. Both NAMI and NMHA will be useful in providing you with a list of websites to find a support group that best meets your needs. In addition, you may want to visit www.psychcentral.com which provides a comprehensive list of online mental health resources and support groups.
My child has returned to school and social activities now that she is at home from the hospital, but is feeling so isolated because she is uncomfortable talking about her illness. She is seeing a therapist but I wonder if it might be beneficial for her to be in a support group with others who are struggling so that she doesn't feel so alone. Where can I find a good support group for children or adolescents?
Both NAMI and NMHA are excellent resources to assist you in finding a good support group for your child or adolescent.
You may want to contact various mental health organizations specifically devoted to children and adolescents, including The Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health (www.ffchm.org /703-684-7710), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (www.aacap.org), the National Association of School Psychologists (www.nasponline.org, 301-657-0270), or try Resources for California's Family Support Programs at: www.familyresourcecenters.net.
There are a variety of organizations that offer support groups for patients, family members, and friends. There are support groups for al most every concern, including various mental illnesses, alcoholism, substance abuse, parenting, the loss of a child, and many, many more. Some may be peer-led, while others may be led by a mental health professional. Both NAMI and NMHA are excellent resources to assist you in finding an appropriate support group in your area.
The Regional Center (Westside division: (310)258-4000, www.westsiderc.org), which coordinates services for individuals with developmental disabilities, also provides a number of support groups for families and individuals struggling with mental illness. You can also try Healthy City at http://www.healthycity.org or (213) 989-1300 ext.33.
Self Help books are also a good way to get support. In addition, please come by the Nathanson Family Resource Center, where you can talk with one of our facilitators, or make use of the Southern California Rainbow Resource Guide, an in-depth and thorough directory of social service organizations around the Southern California area. At the Nathanson Center, you may also find it helpful to talk with other individuals and families who are going through similar experiences as yourself.
