Family Support & Resources
A supportive family system is a protective factor that can help someone who is experiencing a mental health condition. Strong family systems also help to develop resilience and connections for all family members. It is common for families to need help at times to address challenges with parenting and other life stressors.
Family members and caregivers can also benefit from specialized resources and supports, particularly when caring for a loved one with a mental health condition. Understanding mental health conditions and being able to recognize warning signs can help family members know when to seek support for their loved ones.
Here are some resources and information that can be of help to prevent and address mental health conditions:
General Support
Back to School
- On Our Sleeves - How to Prepare Kids for Back-to-School
Youth
- The Epicenter
- Rancho Cielo
- Workforce Development
- Restorative Justice
- California Youth Outreach
- Harmony at Home
- Community Partnership for Youth
- Child Mind Institute
Parenting & Family Support
Monterey County Resources
Coping with COVID for Parents & Caregivers
- First 5 Monterey: https://www.first5monterey.org/covid-19.htm
- Child Mind Institute: Supporting Families during COVID-19
- Resource Guide for Families: Quality Matters Resource Guide - COVID-19
- Monterey County Office of Education: COVID-19 Resources and Supports for Families
- National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Children About COVID-19
- NPR: Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
- PBS: How to Talk to Your Kids about COVID-19 (tips, videos & resources)
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Guide for Parents and Families
Communicating with Mental Health Providers about Adult Mental Health Consumers
Monterey County Behavioral Health recognizes the key role families play during a psychiatric emergency for consumers receiving our services. We encourage providers at every level of care to communicate with the consumer how their family members may communicate about their mental health history during a psychiatric emergency. In fact, Assembly Bill 1424 requires that all individuals making decisions about involuntary psychiatric treatment consider information supplied by family members. See the summary below which will help clarify how family members may communicate about their relative’s mental health history to psychiatric and court authorities during a psychiatric emergency. We have also provided a link to the form outlining the information that may be provided as well.
- Summary of AB1424
- AB1424 form for family members
Advance Directive for Medical Care
An Advance Directive is a legal document which allows adults and emancipated minors to state in advance what they want to do about their health care if they become unable to make their own healthcare decisions. While state law requires certain provisions to appear in an Advance Directive, there is no single form in use to document. Monterey County Behavioral Health (MCBH) has created informational brochures to inform people in care they have the right to establish an Advanced Directive and make decisions concerning their health care.
Communicating with Monterey County Jail about Inmate Medication Needs
This Monterey County Sheriff’s Office form may be completed by family members of incarcerated individuals to provide important medical and psychiatric information including diagnosis, prescribed medications, medication schedule, and adverse effects of medication.