MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS RESOURCES  

For Additional Member Support Please Contact:  

Traci Young, Community Services Director Contra Costa Labor Council, AFL‑CIO Labor Liaison to United Way Bay Area

Phone: 415.505.4351 

Email: tyoung@uwba.org 

(The page is divided into two sections Resources and Recommendations)  

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS RESOURCES  

NATIONAL TOLL-FREE 24 HOUR HOTLINES:  

  • Child-Help USA at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) Assists both child and adult survivors of  abuse, including sexual abuse. The hotline, staffed by mental health professionals, also provides  treatment referrals. 

  • Covenant House Nineline at 1-800-999-9999 Crisis counselors are available to talk to homeless  individuals and at-risk kids; also offer an on-line forum. 

  • Boys Town at 1-800-448-3000 Crisis, resource, and referral line that assists both teens and  parents 

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) connects you with a 24  hour crisis center 

  • SAMHSA's Treatment Locator at 1-800-662-4357 provides you with information about local  mental health services. 

  • For help and resources in your area: Call 2-1-1 or 211.org/

  • For Mental Health Emergencies or Crisis Dial 9-1-1 

SUPPORT GROUPS  

Self-help groups are self-governing groups made up of individuals who share the same or a similar  concern or issue. Members provide emotional support and advice to each other. Typically membership is  free or involves only a minimal fee or donation.  

• Adult Children of Alcoholics 

• Al-Anon/Alateen 

• Alcoholics Anonymous 

• AlcoholScreening.org 

• Alzheimer's Association 

• American Association of Retired Persons Grief and Loss Information 

• Co-Dependents Anonymous 

• Crisis Text Line 

• Debtors Anonymous 

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance 

• Overeaters Anonymous Offer in-person, telephone, and on-line meetings 

• Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

• Postpartum Support International 

• Recovery International 

• S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Information and resources for help with self injury) 

• U.S. Vets 

• Additional Groups: https://www.mhanational.org/find-support-groups 

WELLNESS APPS  

• Calm 

• Insight Timer 

• Headspace: Meditation & Sleep 

• Ten Percent Happier Meditation 

• Buddhify 

• Unplug 

• Simple Habit 

MEDITATION ONLINE RESOURCES 

• Guided Meditation 

• Meditation Music 

• Meditative Nature Sounds 

• Meditation Apps Podcasts 

WORKPLACE ACTIVITIES 

Challenge misconceptions, start conversations and change attitudes around mental health and advocate for wellness. https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/take-action/resources-your-workplace/activities-your workplace#toc-3

 MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS SELF-CARE RECOMMENDATIONS  

Engaging in a self-care routine has been proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, minimize frustration and anger, increase happiness, improve energy, and  more.  

Sensory  

When you feel stressed and need a calm mind, try focusing on the sensations around you — sights,  smells, sounds, tastes, touch. This will help you focus on the present moment, giving you a break from  your worries. 

  • Breathe in fresh air 

  • Snuggle under a cozy blanket 

  • Listen to running water 

  • Sit outdoors by a fire pit, watching the flames and listening to the night sounds

  • Take a hot shower or a warm bath 

  • Cuddle with a pet 

  • Pay attention to your breathing 

  • Burn a scented candle 

  • Wiggle your bare feet in overgrown grass 

  • Stare up at the sky 

  • Lie down where the afternoon sun streams in a window 

  • Listen to music 

Emotional  

Dealing with our emotions can be challenging when we’re coping with stress. We tend to label emotions  as “good” or “bad,” but this isn’t helpful. Instead: 

  • Accept your feelings. They’re all OK. 

  • Write your feelings down 

  • Cry when you need to 

  • Laugh when you can (try laughter yoga) 

  • Practice self-compassion 

Learning  

Distracting yourself by learning a new skill or discovering a new topic will help to take your mind off of  your stress. If you find the subject interesting, talking about it with friends and family will help you to  remember it and expand your knowledge. 

  • Take a Class 

  • Learn a new craft 

  • You-Tube DIY 

Spiritual  

Getting in touch with your values — what really matters — is a sure way to cope with stress and foster a  calm mind. Activities that people define as spiritual are very personal. 

  • Attend a place of worship

  • Read poetry or inspiring quotes 

  • Light a candle 

  • Meditate 

  • Write in a journal 

  • Spend time in nature 

  • Pray

  • List five things you are grateful for 

Enjoyment 

A great way to take care of yourself when you’re coping with stress is to engage in a pleasurable activity.

  • Take yourself outside to eat 

  • Be a tourist in your city virtually 

  • Go on a drive 

  • Garden 

  • Watch a movie 

  • Create art or do a craft project 

  • Journal 

  • Walk your dogs

  • Go for a photo walk 

Mental WEllness

Give yourself a boost by doing a task that you’ve been avoiding or challenge your brain in a new way. This  can also boost self-confidence. 

  • Meditate 

  • Clean out a junk drawer or a closet 

  • Take action (one small step) on something you’ve been avoiding 

  • Try a new activity 

  • Drive to a new place 

  • Make a list 

  • Try a crossword puzzle or word search