211 San Diego is a non-profit that provides information and connections to community, health, and disaster resources 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in more than 200 languages. It is updated on a real-time basis. Examples of services include housing information and resources, flu and covid resources, tax & financial assistance, food assistance and disaster preparedness/ resources.
It’s Up to Us is about helping San Diegans talk openly about mental health, recognize signs of challenges, find local resources, and seek support.
This government website helps you locate a federally qualified health center for mental health and medical support near you. Examples include primary care clinics, dental offices, and mental health clinics.
Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. This is a one-stop shop for free mental health resources for parents.
The San Diego Office of Education offers free crisis mental health resources, support lines, mental health websites, and mental health handouts offered in both English and Spanish.
The San Diego Office of Education provides free resources for parents of elementary-age students regarding, strategies to promote children’s health and well-being, suicide prevention, and a virtual wellness center offered in both English and Spanish.
The San Diego Office of Education provides free resources for parents of middle and high school students including information every parent needs to know, mental health resources for parents, strategies to promote teens' mental health and well-being, and suicide prevention.
A free resource for parents to support their students who are experiencing anxiety. This printable PDF explains what anxiety is, what anxiety can do, and helpful tips to help your teen control their anxiety.
HelpGuide.org provides resources and an article to help parents and guardians learn about teen depression, its causes, how to help, suicide warning signs, and much more.
Therapist Aid is a website dedicated to helping mental health professionals improve their craft by providing free evidence-based education and therapy tools.
Check out these two resources to help you manage your child’s depression:
As part of The National Grief Center for Children & Families, Dougy Center provides grief support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families can share their experiences before and after a death. Visit the Dougy Center online for grief resources or download the printable tip sheet for supporting children who are grieving.
As a caregiver, your own mental health and wellness is important. The San Diego County Office of Education provides a collection of wellness resources and tips for caregivers. Click on the image below to access the live links to resources.
Find support groups for youth, adults, and parents/guardians/caregivers who are struggling with the impacts of mental illness.
The guide helps parents and other adult family members and caregivers navigate supporting the overall well-being and mental health of school-aged children, including tips for what can be difficult conversations. It offers information about the social and emotional development of young people and explains warning signs that may signal mental health challenges. It equips caregivers with targeted strategies, tools, and resources that help them advocate for their family, address each child’s specific needs, and access professional help.
In response to the needs of kinship family caregivers, government, private and community-based organizations are working to promote resources and support for children living with kin inside and outside of the formal foster care system.
Parent Resources for Substance Misuse
The San Diego Health and Human Services Agency provides a guide to community-based programs and services for substance use disorder prevention, intervention, and treatment and recovery services throughout San Diego County.
For immediate support: Call the Access and Crisis Line at 888-724-7240 (TTY: 711), 24/7; 150 languages.
Help for parents who need information and education about kids and vaping. Topics include What Parents Need to Know, Signs Your Kid May Already Be Vaping, Tips for a Healthy Discussion, and more.
One Pill Can Kill: Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that is being pressed into fake pills and made to look like candy. All parents and caregivers need to be educated on current drug threats to be able to have informed talks with their children. See this resource from the DEA for key information and tips.
This website provides information and ways for parents to protect their kids and prevent them from purchasing drugs online. Teens can purchase synthetic opioids online without their parents’ knowledge by accessing the internet known as the “dark web”- easily accessible using an anonymous browser, which makes it difficult for law enforcement to shut down.
Resources and support for parents with Personalized Messages (Personalized Guidance), Online Support Groups, and Helpline Support. Also available in Spanish.