May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in keeping with education and community outreach, Solano County Health and Social Services wishes to let people know of the aid they provide to the public through free support groups.
"This is not a therapy system," said Rachel E. Ford, Consumer Affairs support community group coordinator. "We are here to help people in general. even if they only have a simple question about any topic or if they have any type of concerns. We normally get different phone calls through the day."
Ford, who has been working for the department for about two years, said its philosophy is "taking charge together, we can live and create fruitful lives."
Ford's department offers support groups for anxiety disorders, panic disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder and different types of phobias.
One of the department's newest support groups is called "Nueva Vida," or New Life, a Bipolar and Major Depression Support Group. Their meetings take place in Dixon.
"People have been losing their jobs lately and they get nervous about our economic situation right now," said Ford. "It is very important to understand that people do not have to be diagnosed with a mental disorder to deal with a situation; they do not need to have a mental record to give us a call or to even attend one of our free support groups that are available in our community."
Ford said the groups offer support and help in a traditional care and share fashion way. Staff representatives are able to share with members about what is happening in their lives, but no one has to accept advice or share their problems or concerns if they do not want to when attending a supporting group.
"We offer as much help as possible over the phone; we listen to their questions or concerns very carefully with an open heart and with a lot of respect," said Ford. "We follow up by making an appointment to have them come see one of our professionals then as experience professionals, we evaluate the situation or their case no matter how simple or complicated it is. There is always a solution in life for everything".
Support groups are offered in five different cities. The main office is located at 275 Beck Avenue, in Fairfield. Their phone number is 707-784-8362.
Toll free bilingual telephone assistance, called the Warm-Line Service or Linea Amigable, is offered from 5:30-8:30 pm, Thursday through Monday at 866-862-8432.
For more Information about Nueva Vida, please call 707-693-1190. Brochures are available in English, Spanish and other languages.
For general questions about services offered, contact Ford at reford@solanocounty.com.
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