If you or a friend is experiencing thoughts of suicide, hotlines can support you in your immediate crisis and connect you with follow-up resources. Open 24/7 and 100% free of charge. Confidential. Judgment-free. Share only what you want. English and Spanish.
Youth Resources
If you or a young person close to you is struggling with mental illness or a substance use disorder, Help is available. Check out the resources below that help support youth mental health and substance use treatment:
- Youth Crisis Hotlines
- Free Online Resources and Tools
- Apps to Support Youth Mental Health
- Resources for Parents
- SLO Behavioral Health Youth Mental Health Services
- SLO Behavioral Health Youth Substance Use Treatment
- SLO County Friday Night Live Program
- Opioid Safety Resources and Overdose Prevention
Additional Community Supports are Available on the Main Resource Center Homepage.
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FREE Download: Mental Health Resources for Teens | Recursos de Salud Mental para los Adolescentes.
Youth Crisis Hotlines:
Central Coast Hotline: 1-800-783-0607
Local to SLO County, this free, confidential Hotline is available to call or text 24/7.
California Youth Crisis Line: 1-800-843-5200
When you want to text instead of call. Text anytime to get support from a trained counselor.
National Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 or text ‘START’ to 678-678
Talk to trained counselors who understand the challenges LGBTQ+ young people face.Text, chat, or call 24/7. all of your conversations are confidential, and you can share as much or as little as you’d like.
What can I call to talk about?
Calling a crisis hotline may sound scary, but these hotlines can connect you with caring counselors to talk to about what you are going through. You can call 24/7 to speak to a counselor about whatever you are going though, including things like:
- Family or Friend Conflicts
- Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Loneliness, or Sadness
- Assault and Exploitation
- Dating Issues
- Dating Violence
- Running Away
- Homelessness
- Gang Involvement
- Self-Harm
- Suicide
- Sexual Identity
- Sexual Orientation
- Bullying
- School Problems
- And more…
Free Online Resources and Tools:
Below, you’ll find a list of local and national mental health resources. Each one is designed to help with different needs, so you can reach out to the one that feels most comfortable for you:
- Back to School with Mental Health in Mind: Practical guidance, free tools, and resources for every step of the journey.
- Be There: Mental health advice to help young people support others.
- CHHS Mental Health Resources for Youth: Digital mental health support for youth, young adults, and families.
- Dear Stress, I'm Over You: A resource to help young people manage stress with three easy strategies.
- Free Mind: Learn why drugs and mental health don't mix, and why dealing with it today makes a difference tomorrow.
- Live Beyond CA: Support for teens who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- Live Vape Free: Learn about the real dangers of vaping and how they can affect your health.
- Mental Health America Supporting Young Minds: Explore free, ready-to-use resources designed to help young people feel seen, supported, and empowered. These materials offer practical ways for youth, caregivers, and educators to build resilience, find connection, and take action for mental health.
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): Resources for teens struggling with eating disorders and their supporters.
- Never a Bother: Designed to help teens and young adults experiencing suicidal ideation.
- Quit Support SLO County Public Health: Free coaching programs for youth ready to quit tobacco are available (see the recommended programs in our Youth Cessation Guide).
- Seize the Awkward: Tools and tips to help young people start a conversation with their friends about mental health.
- Start Your Recovery: Education and resources for teens seeking support with alcohol and substance use.
- Take Space to Pause: Provides teens with information on the signs and effects of stress, and a tool to balance their stress response system.
- The Keys- A Guide to Digital Safety: An interactive program for teens developed by Snapchat in collaboration with leading safety experts.
- Wellness Ed Lab (WEL): Provides parents and students (13+) with free evidence-based trainings and content offering practical skills to improve mental health and resilience.
Apps to Support Youth Mental Health:
- Brightlife Kids: Free personalized mental health coaching for California kids ages 0–12 and families.Get access to virtual behavioral health coaching, secure messaging, care guidance on local and crisis resources, and an on-demand library of helpful articles and videos.
- This form online allows for loved ones to refer families and children to services for assistance.
- Soluna App: Mental health coaching via chat or phone for kids ages 12 and older. Tap into tools and ask questions on a confidential forum. Call 844-582-2111 for 1:1 coaching.
- Finch: An app that lets you take care of a digital pet by taking care of yourself. Provides daily, personalized self-care exercises
- Mirror Journal: Reflect with Mirror, a beautifully intuitive mental health journaling app. Download for free today.
Resources for Parents:
- Parents and Caregivers Guide:Tips to help caregivers talk to teens early and often about mental health.
- Free Mind Toolkit: Understand how teens can be affected by substance use and mental health challenges—and how these two issues may be connected.
- Family Coaching: Free personalized mental health coaching for families supporting kids ages 0–12.
- Supporting a teen with suicidal thoughts: Resources and what to do if your teen is having suicidal thoughts.
- Supporting a teen who has experienced ACEs: Information and resources for caregivers of teens who have experienced stressful or potentially traumatic events.
SLO County Behavioral Health Youth Services:
The Youth Services Division of the Behavioral Health Department provides a range of services for children and youth affected by substance use, mental illness, trauma, and environmental stress. These services include individual and family therapy, rehabilitation, case management, and psychiatric care.
Services assist children and youth in the recovery and discovery processes, helping them to achieve their highest quality of life by providing culturally competent, strength-based, and client- and family-centered strategies that utilize best practices.
To receive an assessment and begin services, call the County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Access Line at 1-800-838-1381.
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