The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the global prevalence of anxiety and depression, as well as the suicide death rate. Communities of color, the young and those already struggling with access to healthcare are among those most affected.
Loneliness, underlying trauma, substance dependence, food and housing insecurity, and financial worries are all stressors that may lead to anxiety and depression. Too often, mental health issues go untreated and individuals struggling with these conditions feel alone and unsupported.
SFCHC is here to help by providing the emotional support and behavioral health services patients need to live healthier, happier lives. Our compassionate mental health professionals provide crisis evaluation, suicide assessments, one-on-one therapy and consultations with licensed providers when needed.
We also offer referrals to support groups, substance abuse treatment centers, housing and unemployment services, and other resources to connect patients with the assistance they need to feel well again.
“If you or someone you care about is experiencing anxiety or depression, it is important to remember you are not alone,” said Norma Villalobos, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who has been with SFCHC for five years. “If you’re worried, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help.”
SFCHC offers a team of LCSWs who provide therapy to patients, case managers who connect patients with internal and external resources, and a psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse practitioner who provide specialty care to meet the needs of individuals and families.
If you need assistance, the first step is to contact your primary doctor for a screening, diagnosis and referral to one of our mental health practitioners. Or, you may request an appointment with SFCHC’s Behavioral Health Program directly by calling 818.963.5690 or visiting sfchealthcenter.org.
In response to the current mental health crisis, a national three-digit suicide prevention hotline, 988, is launching on July 16, 2022 to assist individuals who are suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis. Callers who dial or text 988 will be connected to a crisis counselor where they may receive crisis counseling, resources and referrals, and in some cases, assistance from a mobile crisis unit.
