Stigma is a mark of disgrace that results from the judgment of others or self. People living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders are impacted by stigma. When a person is labeled by their illness or condition, they experience judgment and prejudice. This can bring about feelings of shame, embarrassment, distress, hopelessness and reluctance to seek or accept help. As a result, people suffer in silence with untreated conditions. Ending stigma supports people in getting the help that they need in a timely manner.

 Know the Signs is a statewide suicide prevention social marketing campaign built on three key messages: Know the signs. Find the words. Reach out. This campaign is intended to educate Californians how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, how to find the words to have a direct conversation with someone in crisis and where to find professional help and resources. Know the Signs is part of Each Mind Matters: California’s Mental Health Movement. To learn more, including how you can get involved, visit
EachMindMatters.org 

A society where youth and families are emotionally equipped and empowered to succeed.

The foundation of positive mental health for children starts when they have a caring adult who believes in them. However, that’s not happening for far too many children. Across the nation, nearly 15 million children suffer from a serious mental illness. That’s one in five children. Right here in Orange County, mental illness affects approximately 150,000 children.

We are their advocates. We believe in them. We uplift them so they believe in themselves, too. The children we serve experience the happiness of self-confidence and the exhilaration of rising above the real challenges that hold them back. They discover their potential, and go on to create fulfilling lives.

 Be Well OC brings together a robust, community-based, cross-sector strategy—public, private, academic, faith and others—to create a community-wide, coordinated ecosystem to support optimal mental health. 

 Our mission is to deliver life-changing programs to assist people in crisis by giving them the tools and support necessary to end the generational cycle of trauma- including prevention of child abuse and neglect, through early intervention and mental health services and advocacy. 

  We are working together to provide culturally responsive education, training, referrals and linkage for COVID-19 services to our Asian American and Pacific Islander community members in order to ensure equitable access to testing, up-to-date information on COVID-19 as well as quarantine and isolation resources. 

The Mental Heal Association of Orange County is dedicated to improving the quality of life of OC residents impacted by mental health through direct service, advocacy, education and information dessimination.

211 center’s referral specialists receive requests from callers, access databases of resources available from private and public health and human service agencies, match the callers’ needs to available resources, and link or refer them directly to an agency or organization that can help.

The mission of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is to provide hope, help, and support to improve the lives of people living with depression or bipolar disorder. DBSA pursues and accomplishes this mission through peer-based, recovery-oriented, empowering services and resources.

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

OC Health Care Agency provides information including listings for Mental Health and Substance abuse resources as well as social and public services throughout orange county.