Mental Health

A spinal cord injury brings many new challenges to the individual, not just a physical change to the body. Among those are a whole host of negative feelings which need as much attention as the physical ones in order for the individual to move forward in this new direction.

Many counties in Northern California offer free mental health resources for individuals covered by Medi-Cal/Medicare or individuals with no ability to pay. Check out this website to see how to apply, or go here‍ to find your own county services.

NorCal SCI also offers funding for Mental Health Therapy through our Road to Recovery Grant Program.

Mental Health Resources

🖥️ Webinars

• SCI & Mental Health

  NorCal SCI webinar with Dr. H'Sien Hayward, licensed clinical psychologist who lives with a SCI, who presents about the challenges of mental health for people living with SCIs and offers solutions and suggestions.

• SCI & Mental Health: Reclaiming Identity Post Spinal Cord Injury

  An insightful presentation on dealing with the traumas of spinal cord injury and creating a framework on how to recreate one's identity post SCI.

• Why Mental Health Matters – Hosted by Help Hope Live

  In this second installment of the Whole Body Wellness After Paralysis Hope Talk series,  the focus is on the mental and emotional aspects of life after spinal cord injury

🧠 SCI-Specific:

• Depression and Spinal Cord Injury
  Fact sheet from The Spinal Cord Injury Information Network.

• Depression and Spinal Cord Injury
  Fact sheet from Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center, website also has other factsheets and videos on SCI topics.

• Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation landing page for Depression and SCI
  This page provides insight into the ways that spinal cord injury can impact emotional health. Includes strategies, videos, and personal stories to help manage depression.

• Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Booklet on Women’s Mental Health After Paralysis
  Downloadable booklet that explores how paralysis affects women's mental health across topics like body image, reproductive health, and relationships.

• United Spinal Association Landing Page for Mental Health Resources
  A resource hub that offers access for webinars, peer support, and articles for people with SCI/D facing mental health challenges. Includes PTSD, anxiety, and adjustment issues.

🌐 General Tools:

• Help Guide
  Unbiased, motivating resources and self-help tools for mental, emotional and social health.

• Find a Therapist
  Searchable database of therapists operated by Psychology Today, allows you to search by location, insurance type, gender of therapist, language, types of therapy, and areas of expertise.

• County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services
  Have a help line where you can schedule a consultation with a trained mental health therapist.

📞 Crisis Support:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
  24/7, free, and confidential support network that provides resources and assists you when in emotional distress or suicidal crisis with trained counselors via call, text, or online chat.

• Open Path Collective
  Website providing affordable therapists in-office or online.