MENTAL HEALTH CLIENT
SUPPORT RESOURCES 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  NAMI programs should not be used to replace the specialized training and professional judgment of mental health professionals. We cannot, and will not, assume
the role of a physician or therapist. NAMI cannot be held responsible for the use of the information we provide. Please always consult a trained mental health professional before making any decision regarding treatment of yourself or others.

| Self-Help | Wellness Centers |Patient's Rights Advocate | Consumer Liaison |
| Advance Directive | Other Resources |

YOLO COUNTY SELF HELP

NAMI CONNECTION
Beginning February 6th, 2009, NAMI Connection, a free 90-minute recovery support group for adults with serious mental illness will meet weekly

When: Every Friday from 1:30pm to 3pm
Where: Destiny Hall, 124 Lincoln Ave in Woodland.
More Information

Destiny Hall is two blocks east of West St and is the 2nd house down from McKinley Ave., across the street from a shopping center where you can park your car.  It's a gray house that sits back from the street behind a chain link fence.

• Phone:  (916) 483-5616 for meeting locations in Woodland.
• Open to members or consumers 18 or older
• recovery-inc.com

YOLO COUNTY WELLNESS CENTERS
Bauer Building,137 North Cottonwood, Suite 1530m Woodland
People with mental illness can often benefit from supplemental services besides medical treatment. In Yolo County, the Wellness Center in Woodland can be a gateway into those services. Any person with mental illness who has Medi-Cal insurance is welcome to drop in and participate in activities. These programs  also can provide referral to a benefit specialist to help people without health insurance and little or no income get benefits to help them get needed treatment.

The Wellness Center has active programs 5 days a week (except for every other Friday) and includes  groups such as career/education, job readiness, life skills, healthy relationships, relaxation . . . as well as time for arts and crafts, sports, games, etc.  Additionally a variety of activities and groups are offered such as dual diagnosis, physical wellness, social skills, temper tamers, creative writing, cooking, movies, etc. The Wellness Center phone number is (530) 668-6777. 

SACRAMENTO SELF-HELP

• Obsessive-Compulsive Support Meeting (OCD)
  • When:  every Monday of each month
  • Where: Sutter Center for Psychiatry, 7700 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento
  • Contact:  Jim (916) 223-6541 or Steve (916) 456-1996
• Schizophrenics Anonymous Support Meeting
  • When: Saturday from10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Where: St. John's Lutheran Church, 1701 L Street, Sacramento (Please enter the church through the side door).
  • Contact: Glenn or Richard at (916) 441-0874 for further information.
• Bipolar Disorder Support Meeting (website)
  • When 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Sutter Center for Psychiatry, 7700 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento
  • Contact: Andrea Hillerman at andrea@mhasc.org or Phone: (916) 366-4601
  • Contact: Marilyn Hillerman at marilynhillerman@yahoo.com or Phone: (916) 684-1358
• Recovery, Inc., Self-Help Mental Health Meetings
  • Phone:  (916) 483-5616 for meeting locations.
  • Open to members or consumers 18 or older
  • recovery-inc.com

PATIENT'S RIGHTS ADVOCATE
Patients' Rights Advocates are  staff members who function within the Yolo County mental health system who are required by California law to represent a mental health client's rights and interests.  Advocates do not determine what is in the client's "best interests." but will discuss available options with the client and will assist the client in making an informed choice.  Advocates help with:

• Complaint Resolution

• Information and Referral

• Representation and assistance at Certification Hearings

• Explanation and notification of Patients' Rights

Phone: 1-877-965 6772

See also, the booklet Rights for Individuals in Mental Health Facilities

ADVANCE DIRECTIVE
An Advance Health Care Directive (Advance Directive) is a written document that describes a patient's directions and preferences for treatment and care during times when they are having difficulty communicating and making decisions. Yolo County has a brochure about advance directives which could be of use to Mental Health Clients.  English  Spanish  Russian

OTHER RESOURCES

• Living on a Shoestring:  Yolo County Resources for people on low income budgets. 

• Nami Consumer Outreach.

• Tips for Coping with a Psychiatric Disorder 

• Ten Rules for Safer Medication Use

• Hearing Voices that are Distressing: Self Help Resources and Strategies