DSLC offers programs directed at helping the mentally disabled individual gain and maintain independence in a world that often seems foreign and even hostile. We are dedicated to providing support, representation and advocacy to the mental health community of northern California.
This group, the most misunderstood of our community, is often regarded with fear, distrust and even anger. In many cases, it is difficult for the mentally disabled to even recognize their own disability.
Melva Freeman, a DSLC staff member living with bipolar, shares what she has learned about stability and being mentally healthy in our monthly "Tools for Stability" workshops. Melva, through her life experiences, can relate to people with job loss due to disability, office close or being fired, adjusting to and living on lower income, not enough money for food, living in substandard housing, loosing a home, divorce, empty nest, loss of family members, addictive behaviors, etc.
These workshops concentrate on:
- Mental health vs. mental illness.
- Dealing with depression.
- Communicating with doctors.
- Managing medication.
- Diet, exercise and sleep.
- Journaling to relieve stress.
- Support through sharing life experiences.
- Other "tools".
The “Tools for Stability” workshops are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 1:00-3:00pm.
Melva also facilitates a Mental Health Support Group held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 1:00-3:00pm at the DSLC offices at 520 Mendocino Ave. in Santa Rosa.
Mental Health Community Resources
For people with mental health related disabilities there are Self-help centers which offer help, classes and activities. The following is a list of some of the resources in our community.
Interlink 546-4481, 1033 4th St. Santa Rosa (Self-help center)
Manzanita Services 463-0400, 270 North Pine St. Ukiah (Self-help center)
People Empowering People 259-8692, 2261 Elm St. Trailer N, Napa (Self-help center)
Russian River Empowerment Center 604-7264, 16229 3rd St. Guerneville (Self-help center)
Wellness & Advocacy Center 565-7800, 3400 Chanate Rd. Santa Rosa (Self-help center)
NAMI Sonoma County (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) 527-6655, 1300 N Dutton Ave., Ste A, Santa Rosa. NAMI gives support, as well as classes and other information for both people with mental disabilities and their family members.
Contact Melva Freeman regarding DSLC Mental Health Services:
(707) 528-2745 ext. 312