How do I take good care of my mental health?

Difficult times

Sometimes it’s really hard to ask for help, especially if you’re already feeling not so strong.

Talking with your caseworker, family team members, or a supportive adult can help.

Here are some resources to call if you are in crisis.

2-1-1 Maine, for all services and resources

Dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211maine.org

Maine Crisis Helpline

1-888-568-1112

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline

1-866-331-9474, 1-866-331-8453 (TTY)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline-

24 hours, 1-800-273-TALK

Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline,

1-866-834-HELP (4357)

For an online resource list, visit:

www.accessmaine.org/living_teens.htm

If you are in school, your guidance counselor or school social worker may help you to get connected to services. If you are in college, your campus may have many resources that can help you through difficult times. Look through your directory for offices that offer counseling or ones that support student success.

Sometimes, you may become worried about a friend or family member. You may use the above resources to get help for the people you care about, too.

Mental Health Services

When you choose to have a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist involved in your life,

decisions about your mental health treatment are very important. You have the right to know all your treatment and support options. You, your doctors, and your caregiver should discuss all your treatment options and create a plan that works for you.

There are two documents created by youth for youth that may help you as you navigate the mental health system.

Making a Choice: A guide to making a decision about using antipsychotic medication This guide offers helpful questions to ask when you are working with your team and you are making choices about your mental health care.

The Maine Youth in Care Bill of Rights

This document lists important things for you to know about your rights in the mental health care system.

Your caseworker and the people involved in your family team meetings can support you as you move through the mental health care system. Talk about your concerns and questions to your caseworker or during your family team meeting.

Here is an excerpt from Maine’s Youth in Care Bill of Rights, specific to mental health:

You have the right to have an informed choice in the types of physical, dental and mental health care you receive.
You have the right to have a choice and options when a treatment provider is being assigned to them.
You have the right to see and understand your treatment plans, to be informed about and to have a say in treatment decisions being made.
You have a right to be informed about medications, medication options and to have a voice in decisions about the prescription of medication.
You have a right to not be overmedicated, to not be punished for refusal to take medications and to be made aware of the possible risks that come from refusing to take medication.
You should be able to have visitation with people that are important to you while receiving treatment.
You should be able to receive care and services that are fair, respectful, safe, confidential and free from discrimination.
You have a right to access to your medical records.

If you feel your rights have been violated, you should speak up to your caseworker and say that your rights have been violated. Tell them which one.

If you are still having trouble, you can speak to your caseworker’s supervisor, your Guardian ad litem (GAL) or a trusted adult. Be specific and provide examples.

If you don’t have success there, you can contact the Ombudsman’s office. The Ombudsman will try to get more information, notify DHHS of problems and work with people to help fix the problems. Call the Ombudman’s Office at 866-621-0758 or visit: http://mainechildrensalliance.org/am/publish/ombudsman/shtml

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