DSLC offers programs directed at helping the mentally disabled individual gain and maintain independence in a world that often seems foreign and even hostile. We are dedicated to providing support, representation and advocacy to the mental health community of northern California.
This group, the most misunderstood of our community, is often regarded with fear, distrust and even anger. In many cases, it is difficult for the mentally disabled to even recognize their own disability.
Melva Freeman, a DSLC staff member living with bipolar, shares what she has learned about stability and being mentally healthy in our monthly "Tools for Stability" workshops. Melva, through her life experiences, can relate to people with job loss due to disability, office close or being fired, adjusting to and living on lower income, not enough money for food, living in substandard housing, loosing a home, divorce, empty nest, loss of family members, addictive behaviors, etc.
These workshops concentrate on:
- Mental health vs. mental illness.
- Dealing with depression.
- Communicating with doctors.
- Managing medication.
- Diet, exercise and sleep.
- Journaling to relieve stress.
- Support through sharing life experiences.
- Other "tools".
The “Tools for Stability” workshops are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 1:00-3:00pm.
Melva also facilitates a Mental Health Support Group held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 1-2:30pm at the DSLC offices at 980 Hopper Ave. in Santa Rosa.
Contact Melva Freeman regarding DSLC Mental Health Services:
(707) 528-2745 ext. 218
For people living with a mental diagnosis, their families and friends--there are resources and for help in Sonoma County.
The philosophy behind Self-Help Centers is that it helps to learn from people who understand what you are going through. They help people with a mental diagnosis and are staffed by people with a mental diagnosis.
We are lucky to have 3 centers in Sonoma County.
The Wellness and Advocacy Center
3400 Chanate Rd. Santa Rosa
707-565-7800
Interlink
1033 4th St. Santa Rosa
707-546-4481
The Russian River Empowerment Center
16229 3rd St. Guerneville
707-604-7264
Please call for information and the times that they are open.
For people with Depression and Bipolar there is a support group held on the 1st & 3rd Wed. from 6:30-8:30 pm. at the Unitarian Church,
547 Mendocino Ave. Santa Rosa.
For information call at Vivian 578-0424 .
For any information, problems or referrals call Erika Klohe, Family Services Coordinator at Buckelew 571-8452 office or 591-4617 cell.
If someone is in crisis call Ted Fox, at County Mental Health,
phone 707-565-4807
email: tfox@sonoma-county.org.
Hank Hallowell, Patient Rights Advocate at County Mental Health,
phone 707-565-4978
email: hhallowe@sonoma-county.org.
For Families, Friends and Consumers NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) has classes, support groups, a library and lots of other information. Their office is located at 1717 Yulupa Ave. Santa Rosa 707-6655. They have family support groups in other locations through out the county.