Family Support

TMHA Family Services Program provides compassionate, informed assistance for families, friends and loved ones of persons they know or suspect has a mental illness. The Family Services Program is funded by various funding sources including the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prop 63. There are no fees for services which are available in both English and Spanish.

Mental illness can have a devastating effect on families, friends and loved ones. Family Services staff assists families in navigating the mental health system of care in both the public and private sector. They offer direct support, information and education with the goal of providing recovery and hope. Family Services staff strives to improve quality of life, helping families understand and cope with the realities of severe and persistent mental illness. In addition, they provide information and referrals to community resources in both San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties.

Family Advocates, Youth Family Partners in San Luis Obispo County, and Partners in Hope in Northern Santa Barbara County provide a variety of services including one-on-one appointments and phone consultations. Family Advocates and Partners in Hope work with families of adult loved ones with mental illness, while Youth Family Partners, in San Luis Obispo County work as a team with the families and caregivers of minor children who have emotional and behavioral problems. Family Partners provide support, information and referrals necessary to improve the quality of life for families and their children.

Fact Sheets

Shaken Tree: Families Living with Mental Illness

This award-winning documentary illuminates the journey families experience when a loved one has chronic and persistent mental illness. Call 805-540-6571 to see how you can view this film or bring it to your community.

We work in partnership with NAMI

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-week course offering education and support for family members whose relative or loved one has schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, co-occurring brain disorders or addictive disorders. The class provides up-to-date information on the diseases, their causes and treatments available, as well as help and coping tools for the caregiver or loved one.

Contact your local NAMI for more information:

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