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NAMI San Francisco | |||
| An Affiliate of NAMI the National Alliance on Mental Illness |
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| FAQ Frequently Asked Questions |
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| How should I handle a crisis? |
| If you or your family are in immediate danger, contact Mobile Crisis Unit at 415-355-8300,. (Copy this number down and keep it handy!). If not in immediate danger, but concerned about handling crisis situations in the future, there are a few agencies that can help in diffusing a situation and there are some things you should do. |
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| What kinds of treatment programs does San Francisco County offer? |
| San Francisco's services offered through Community Mental Health Services are numerous. |
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| What do I do if my family member is in jail? |
| Jail Psychiatric Services, a part of Haight Asbury Free Clinics, Inc., has been providing psychiatric treatment to inmates at the San Francisco City and County Jail System since March of 1973. JPS offers a full spectrum of mental health care including evaluation and assessments, crisis intervention, individual treatment, group treatment, referral for hospitalization, day treatment program services, a sheltered living unit and after care services. Call 415-487-5601 for information. Inmates may self-refer or caring family members or friends may ask for request JPS intervention. |
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| If my family member is in a hospital or treatment center but no one will talk to me, what can I do? |
| Medical records are confidential but when it comes to mental illness, records are especially protected and treatment providers cannot discuss a patient without consent. That doesn't mean you don't have any options for getting information. If you know or suspect your family member is in a treatment facility, you should immediately begin sending by mail information about your family member's history and calling with information. Treatment providers may accept information but they cannot divulge any. There are some questions you can ask, however, and some strategies to keep you involved. |
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| Who can I contact if my family member is homeless? |
| There are a number of homeless programs in San Francisco. Contact any one of the Homeless Based Shelter Services programs. |
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| How can I find other families that have someone with a mental illness? |
| One in five U.S. families has a member with a mental illness and in fact, NAMI-San Francisco is just one affiliate in a national network. |
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| How can I learn more about my family member's illness? |
| Family-to-Family is a ground-breaking educational program that strengthens the ability of families to cope with and understand mental illness. It also prepares families to maneuver the treatment system. |
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| What causes mental illness and where can I get more information? |
Mental illnesses are biological and there are a host of other Web sites and organizations engaged in research into causes and treatments. Check out the following sites: NAMI |
415-905-NAMI (6264)
1010 Gough Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
NAMISF@fsasf.org
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Key items to have on hand... Questions Resources Etc.
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