FAQ
Our FAQ section is intended to help you learn more about mental health and/or our programs. Below is a list of questions addressed throughout our FAQ:
- What should I do if I feel like hurting myself?
- What causes mental illness?
- How common is mental illness?
- What are common signs and symptoms of mental illness?
- Is there a way to prevent mental illness?
- I have a mental illness, who do I contact for help?
- How can I learn more about BRIDGES?
- What is the cost for your mental health services, and will my insurance cover the cost for my treatment?
- Will I be able to leave the facility and have visitors while living in the residential program?
What should I do if I feel like hurting myself?
What causes mental illness?
There are a variety of contributing factors to the onset of mental illness. Studies show that there are biological, social, psychological, and environmental causes for mental illness. Biological causes may include factors such as genetic make up, traumas to the brain, misuse of substances, and certain vitamin deficiencies. Social, psychological, and environmental factors may include living conditions, particularly living in poverty or social isolation, as well as family and community support and coping with traumatic experiences such as abuse, divorce, death and bereavement.
How common is mental illness?
1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year
1 in 25 adults in the United States experience serious mental illness each year
1 in 6 youth in the United States experiences a mental health disorder each year
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 years
For more information including the numbers referred above, reach out to organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What are common signs and symptoms of mental illness?
Symptoms may vary depending on the mental illness, age of individual, and/or environmental conditions, however some common signs and symptoms of mental illness may include one of more of the following:
If you or someone you know is experiencing one or more of these symptoms or other symptoms, please ask for help from your physician or a mental health provider.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency contact 911 immediately for assistance.
Is there a way to prevent mental illness?
There is no sure way to prevent mental illness, however taking care of your overall health and taking steps to control stress will help to increase your resilience and self-esteem. If you have a mental illness, a mental health professional can help you develop a treatment plan and strategies to help you manage your symptoms. A few ideas for helping include:
I have a mental illness, who do I contact for help?
For non-emergency help, consider the following options:
How can I learn more about BRIDGES?
When you call or meet with one of our team members, we will do a brief financial screening to determine eligibility for free services. In general, if you have medi-cal or are medi-cal eligible (no health insurance), have no income or low income, you should not incur any fees for our services.
BRIDGES is contracted with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health to provide services for children and adults who have medi-cal or are medi-cal eligible and meet criteria for specialty outpatient or residential services.
If you have private insurance and your insurance does not cover residential or other mental health services, please call us for a screening to see if you qualify for free services.
If you are 18 years old or older, can benefit from residential services to help you achieve stability and recovery, have SSI (Supplemental Security Income) we can conduct eligibility screening to determine if you qualify for services. SSI covers the cost for board and care in our residential program. We also reserve a limited number of beds funded by the county, for persons who do not have any insurance and otherwise meet criteria for the program.
Call us at 909-623-6651, extension 110 to see if you qualify for free services.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately
- Reach out to a close friend, family member, a mental health professional, or others in your community
- Call a suicide hotline number. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 or use its webchat on suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat
- Get help immediately! Immediate help is available.
What causes mental illness?
There are a variety of contributing factors to the onset of mental illness. Studies show that there are biological, social, psychological, and environmental causes for mental illness. Biological causes may include factors such as genetic make up, traumas to the brain, misuse of substances, and certain vitamin deficiencies. Social, psychological, and environmental factors may include living conditions, particularly living in poverty or social isolation, as well as family and community support and coping with traumatic experiences such as abuse, divorce, death and bereavement.
How common is mental illness?
1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year
1 in 25 adults in the United States experience serious mental illness each year
1 in 6 youth in the United States experiences a mental health disorder each year
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 years
For more information including the numbers referred above, reach out to organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What are common signs and symptoms of mental illness?
Symptoms may vary depending on the mental illness, age of individual, and/or environmental conditions, however some common signs and symptoms of mental illness may include one of more of the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- Homicidal thoughts
- Anger or irritability
- Posing a threat to others
- Loneliness, isolation or withdrawal
- Feelings of helplessness or despair
- Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
- Aggressive behavior
- Tearfulness or crying spells
- Confusion
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
- Changes in personality such as person is acting like a very different person, or not acting or feeling like themselves
- Lack of self-care or engaging in risky behaviors
- Problems with alcohol or drug use
If you or someone you know is experiencing one or more of these symptoms or other symptoms, please ask for help from your physician or a mental health provider.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency contact 911 immediately for assistance.
Is there a way to prevent mental illness?
There is no sure way to prevent mental illness, however taking care of your overall health and taking steps to control stress will help to increase your resilience and self-esteem. If you have a mental illness, a mental health professional can help you develop a treatment plan and strategies to help you manage your symptoms. A few ideas for helping include:
- Get routine and preventative medical care by your primary care physician
- Get help when you need it! This will help ensure that symptoms are addressed early when they are easier to talk about, and ongoing helping to prevent a relapse of symptoms.
- Pay attention to warning signs. Learn what might trigger your symptoms. If you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel, contact your doctor or therapist.
- Involve family members or friends to help you watch for warning signs
I have a mental illness, who do I contact for help?
For non-emergency help, consider the following options:
- Contact your primary care physician for assistance and referrals
- If you have heath insurance coverage contact customer service, or the mental health division for referrals and assistance
- If you have medi-cal coverage or no insurance and live in Los Angeles County you can contact the Access Line at 800-854-7771 24/7 for mental health screening and assessment, referral, and/or linkage to other resources
- Call 211 within Los Angeles County for information and referrals for all types of health, human and social services
- Contact BRIDGES, Inc. at 909-623-6651 and tell us what you are looking for to see if we can help you with your needs
- Email us at info@bridgesrehab.org
How can I learn more about BRIDGES?
- Call us at 909-623-6651 and dial extension 110 or 510 for general information and to get connected to the person who can best help you
- If you are interested in one of our residential programs, contact our Intake Coordinator at either:
- 909-623-6651 extension 523
- 626-200-7993
- If you see us in the community hosting an informational table, come visit with us
- If you are enrolled in another community program, ask your worker to contact us at the above phone numbers
When you call or meet with one of our team members, we will do a brief financial screening to determine eligibility for free services. In general, if you have medi-cal or are medi-cal eligible (no health insurance), have no income or low income, you should not incur any fees for our services.
BRIDGES is contracted with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health to provide services for children and adults who have medi-cal or are medi-cal eligible and meet criteria for specialty outpatient or residential services.
If you have private insurance and your insurance does not cover residential or other mental health services, please call us for a screening to see if you qualify for free services.
If you are 18 years old or older, can benefit from residential services to help you achieve stability and recovery, have SSI (Supplemental Security Income) we can conduct eligibility screening to determine if you qualify for services. SSI covers the cost for board and care in our residential program. We also reserve a limited number of beds funded by the county, for persons who do not have any insurance and otherwise meet criteria for the program.
Call us at 909-623-6651, extension 110 to see if you qualify for free services.