Find local resources for mental health: Bucks County and Montgomery County

Abington Jefferson Health. Please see below for updated information regarding Abington Jefferson Health Clinics and Support Groups, with information available in English, Brazilian, Portuguese, Korean, and Spanish.

• Please click here for a Guide for Patients
• Please click here for a Clinic Listing with this information available in English, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish
• Please click here for a flyer on a Caregiver’s Virtual Support Group, available the 1st Wednesday of each month, 3:30-5:00pm
• Please click here for Jefferson’s Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center’s Oncology Patient and Caregiver Programs and Support Services, May – December 2021
• The Health Nexus is a source for timely articles, resources, and groundbreaking research information!
• Stay connected through Opioid Matters, a newsletter focused on substance use information and resources. Sign up by contacting PublicRelations@jefferson.edu.
• Opioid Matters: Narcan is a lifesaving drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid emergency. Now, Jefferson Health – Abington patients presenting with an opioid use disorder may receive a Narcan kit from their physician. Read more
• Opioid Matters: What to do if you believe you are witnessing an overdose: Read more
• Opioid Matters: How to Recognize Counterfeit Pills: Counterfeit pills are fake medications that consist of different ingredients than actual medications such as no active ingredient, the wrong active ingredient or the wrong quantity of the right active ingredient. These are very dangerous as they may contain lethal amounts of fentanyl or methamphetamine and may appear identical to actual prescription medications. Read More

Safe Harbor, Jefferson Health – Abington’s program for grieving children, teens and families, is calling for volunteers. The next volunteer training will be January 8 and 9, 2022. Prior volunteer experience is not necessary. All are welcome to sign-up. Our staff and volunteers work closely with children, teens and their caregivers to create a supportive environment where sharing feelings and concerns helps participants move through their healing process. Learn more and share the flyer!

A Matter of Balance, Jefferson Health – Abington: Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Learn more!

Access Services, Intersect. This initiative from Access Services supports those standing at the intersection of faith and mental health. Intersect is run by a team of staff equipped to train, consult and collaborate with human services providers and faith communities.

• Click here for the Intersect Information & Training Guide
• Sign up for the Intersect monthly newsletter
• Click here to join the Intersect Community Needs Facebook page, a care portal for faith communities who are looking to meet local needs in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. This page posts needs specific to the individuals supported by Access Services and may include needs for time, material resources, and/or monetary donations

Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter offers virtual support groups and resources for dementia caregivers. Learn more here.

Center for Loss and Bereavement offersmany resources for children and adults including counseling, support groups and education programs. See what they have going on in 2022, Learn more here.

• Executive Director, Emily Vincent, emv@bereavementcenter.org, offers to present an hour-long forum on Zoom with your staff: Endurance in Grief: Supporting Your Organization through COVID-19 Losses and Restoration Efforts. Reach out to Emily if you’d like to discuss hosting this session for/with your staff.

Child Guidance Resource Centers offers an article on grieving during the holidays, and how to support those you love while grieving. Read “When the Holidays Aren’t So Happy: Supporting Loved Ones Who Grieving During the Holidays” here.

Family Services of Montgomery County’s Project HOPE offers free and confidential Hepatitis C, STI, and HIV Testing at two locations in Montgomery County, as well as information on how to connect to PrEP services, case management, and at-home testing. Please click here for the flyer or contact Ana Torres.

HealthLink is a free dental clinic serving uninsured, low-wage earning adults and military veterans in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Click here for the flyer sharing more information and services!

Hepatitis B Foundation celebrated a victory in the battle universal hepatitis B vaccination. The CDC’s Advisory Committee makes a landmark vote to recommend this vaccine for all adults ages 19 to 59 in the U.S. Adults 60 and older are recommended to follow risk-based guidelines to determine if they should receive the vaccine. Read more about the decision here.

Hope and Help Network. Developing a Healthy Grieving Program to help churches, organizations, or agencies seeking to assist their members with handling grief through loss. A special component deals with traumatic grief. Learn more by email or phone 215-301-1436.

HopeWorx promotes the continued development of a community environment that supports and believes in the expertise and passion of consumers to create and direct their own paths to health and recovery, leading to the ultimate goal of reliance of oneself or one’s own power.

• Learn more about HopeWorx Microsoft Office Training, including classes on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Publisher!
• Learn more about the Family Peer Support and Advocacy Program 
• Learn more about the Family Satisfaction Team
• Parent/Caregiver Virtual Support Group – meets 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month via Zoom

ICNA (Muslims for Humanity). To learn more about the Shams Clinic serving the Philadelphia area, click here. To register for the programs below, contact Aneeza Fazli-Haq, Clinic Operations Manager/Counselor

• Anxiety & Support Group. Meets on Zoom on Thursdays from 11am-12pm. Click here for the registration form.
• The Road to Adulthood. 12-week psycho-educational support group series for 20-something Muslim females. Meets on Zoom from 8:30-9:30pm on Wednesdays

Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia . COVID-19 response & resources here: www.jfcsphilly.org/covid19resources

Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund Shining A Light series! This series inspires, engages and offers tangible topics/resources for families, the community and healthcare professionals as it relates to the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund mission of “lightening the burdens and lifting the spirits of families caring for children with serious illnesses, disabilities, and injuries, while respecting the pride and dignity of families in need. The Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund provides financial assistance for needs not covered by insurance, respite programs, and non-cash items to families in PA, New Jersey, and Delaware; the Fund advocates for and provides education and information to families nationwide.” Tune in to the Shining A Light series. Typically hosted Thursdays at 12pm.

Lakeside Global Institute  has video resource series available: Coping with COVID-19 for Parents: A video series by Lakeside

• Lakeside Global Institute Jan & Feb 2022 Trauma Training – LGI offers workshops that are open for individual registrations. Register here. Two-Hour Workshops: $75/ person, Three-Hour Workshop: $100 /person, Four-Hour Workshops: $125 /person
• Thank you to Lakeside for sharing this article on the on-going mental health effects of COVID-19, and its call to action!

Mental Health Partnerships offers weekly virtual drop in office hours, where families and community providers can learn about how MHP supports families, ask questions and receive resources and support, and connect face to face with the Family Peer Support Partners in the office. Get the flyer here! No pre-registration is required. Every Monday (excluding holidays), 11:45 am-1:45 pm. Join through zoom. Questions: 267-977-4930

Mental Health Partnerships also offers Parent/Caregiver Virtual Support Groups. Join for virtual family support groups where you can connect with other parents who share similar experiences, learn about resources, receive non-judgmental support, and share stories of hope and strength. Get the flyer here! All support groups are co-facilitated by Family Peer Support Partners. 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month (excluding holidays), 7:00 pm-8:00 pm. A separate one-time pre-registration is required for both 2nd and 4th week sessions. A Zoom link will be provided in the confirmation email. Questions: 267-977-4930

Montco CSP – The Community Support Program of Montgomery County invites you to complete our annual Assessment of Needs survey, available now through February 28, 2022. Montco CSP is comprised of people who use mental health services, providers, family members, supporters and county staff and their mission is to improve mental health services in Montgomery County. By filling out this survey you will enable Montco CSP, in partnership with the Office of Mental Health, to better voice your thoughts and concerns for future
planning.

Montgomery County Community College offers POWER (Partnership On Work Enrichment and Readiness Program), a FREE two-college credit course, offered to anyone in recovery from mental health and/or substance misuse disorder. They are accepting applications for the spring semester now. Classes will be offered on-campus, in-person on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our mandatory orientation will be held on January 13, 2022, and the first day of class beginning January 20, 2022. It is easy to apply. You can click on this link and submit an application.

Montgomery County Health and Human Services

• Review the fall 2021 Behavioral Health Training Institute Series. All courses are offered free of charge to Montgomery County service providers, people receiving services and families.
• Be prepared with the Back to School Series of trainings, including Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training, Positive Parenting Strategies, and more!

Montgomery County Hearing Voices Network. Join us for a Taking Back Our Power hearing voices group. These groups are open to anyone with the experience of hearing voices, or experiencing other phenomena not shared by others. We offer a non-clinical, non-judgmental environment for free and open discussion away from traditional psychiatric treatment. If you hear, see, smell, or feel things that other people can’t perceive, this group is for you. Everything that happens in the meetings in confidential. We’re available for you three times a week, online. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 3pm. Learn more here.

Montgomery County Office of Drug & Alcohol Services. 610-278-3642

• Sign up for a yard sign for your business, municipal bldg, and/or home to promote the app and website: “Talk. They Hear You” created by SAMHSA, and directed by Montgomery County to help prepare parents to discuss, talk with, and coach their children regarding drug experimentation and use. Learn more. For local info or signs, contact Cathy Fried, projectliveup@gmail.com, 724-617-7203.
• Get Naloxone. Submit a request online
• Recovery Supports. Contact Community Center Info/Referral Line: 800-221-6333, Mon thru Fri, 9 am to 9 pm, or contact Claudia Herman, cherman@councilsepa.org or Brittaney Margiotta, bmargiotta@councilsepa.org
• Find virtual resources

Montgomery County Office of Public Health. View Health Center and other information and resources. For COVID-19 specific information, including testing and vaccines, click here.

• Montgomery County COVID-19 testing sites are open various hours each weekday at four locations across the County weather permitting. Testing is available to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Montgomery County. Appointments can be made on weekdays starting at 7 a.m. online or starting at 8:30 a.m. by calling (610) 970-2937. Click here for Montgomery County COVID-19 testing sites.
• Click here for COVID-19 vaccine registration information
• For more information, contact: COVID19@montcopa.org or the COVID-19 Hotline: 833-875-3967 (Hotline hours: Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
• Starting Tuesday, July 6, Montgomery County Office of Public Health will be accepting appointments for child and adolescent immunizations at their Norristown and Pottstown Public Health Centers that will be reopening in August. They will be serving children and adolescents who live or go to school in Montgomery County. Appointments are required. For more information, view this flyer or visit www.montcopa.org/immunizations.

NAMI Bucks County is offering Ending the Silence, a mental health and suicide awareness program for all Bucks County students. Ending the Silence instills a message of hope and recovery and encourages teens to reduce stigma and end the silence surrounding mental illness. Click here for more information. Click here for information about online support groups and wellness events.

NAMI Montco PA

• Join the NAMI Montgomery County PA team today! Become a support or education program facilitator – Learn more. Be a young adult storyteller/lead presenter – Learn more.
• Click here to see their February event schedule, including support groups. All groups are confidential, no cost to attend, mask required for in person events, registration required.
• Support group registration.
• Watch NAMI’s latest YouTube video “Caregiver to Caregiver: Mental Health Tips.” Ten caregivers from the NAMI community speak out about taking care of their own mental health. Featuring Abby Grasso, Executive Director.
• Creating Increased Connections is proud to offer Circle of Hope peer-to-peer led discussion groups, online, four days a week. Please join for lively conversation about how we are feeling, our successes and challenges, our recovery, and how we maintain our wellness. Everything said in the groups is confidential and everyone is welcome. Mondays & Tuesdays, 12pm; Wednesdays, 1pm; Thursdays, 10:30am. Learn more here.
• HelpLine is available M-F, 9am-3pm, 215-361-7784
• NAMI MontCo PA Teen Chat Group, Sundays at 5:30pm. NAMI Teen Chat is designed for any high school student in Montgomery County who is living with mental health challenges or those who need support handling their hard days. This group provides a safe space to talk with other teens and share your experiences, while getting support, resources, and maybe make a new friend. Groups are led by NAMI trained facilitators and are free and confidential.
• Podcast Series: Sound Mind recently launched a new podcast series called Going There with Consequence of Sound. Hosted by licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Mike, the weekly series aims to create a safe space for musicians and creatives to have honest, healthy conversations about mental health. Each episode covers artists’ experiences dealing with a range of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and addiction. The goal is to de-stigmatize these topics and amplify awareness of mental health.
• NAMI Homefront Mental Health Resources is for Military Service Members, Veterans and their Families, and is a free online suite of resources designed to increase understanding, communication, wellness and advocacy skills.
• When Trauma Is Triggered at Work – Read the article.
• Coloring and Activity Book “Meet Little Monster”. To help children express and explore their feelings in a fun, creative and empowering way, NAMI offers “Meet Little Monster,” a mental health coloring and activity book, available in English and Spanish at no-cost.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or is considering suicide, help is available. Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact Crisis Text Line by texting PA to 741-741.

PA Department of Drug and Alcohol, Drug Take Back Locations provide convenient, responsible and safe means of disposing prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential abuse of medications. This initiative is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol.

PA Department of Health. Pennsylvania Support and Referral Helpline (Persevere PA, COVID-19 Crisis Counseling Program) has trained professionals available 24/7 ready to help you navigate these unprecedented challenges. These services are free and confidential. Connect with a free crisis counselor if you’re feeling alone, stressed, or overwhelmed. Call 855-284-2494 or Click here for the flyer

Pennsylvanian’s Get Help Now Hotline is a confidential hotline available around the clock, 365 days a year to connect you or a loved one with local substance use treatment and services. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

PA Health Access Network (PHAN)

• Reach out to the Benefit Access Helpline: 877-570-3642, helpline@pahealthaccess.org
• Sign up for their weekly call (statewide call to provide updates on the COVID-19 crisis at the state and federal level and answer questions)

Pennie: The official health insurance marketplace for Pennsylvania. Read more, including how the American Rescue Plan Act has improved access to coverage and care! Key enrollment dates are included.

St. Luke’s Penn Foundation. Learn more about the Kinship Support Group that offers grandparents and family members the opportunity to meet with others who are raising children as a result of the opioid epidemic.
Please see the flyer for additional details.

• Register now! Grief is a Dancer. Over the last year and a half, we’ve all experienced different levels of grief — grief tied to the loss of a loved one, a job, a routine, or a social connection. Join this powerful event with author Alisa Bair and dancers Gregg and Susan Hurley as we learn how to acknowledge grief during this difficult time. To ensure the health and safety of all attendees, advanced registration is required. To see the COVID safety protocols in place and to reserve your seat by November 24th, go to www.PennFoundation.org.
• Effective July 1, 2021, Penn Foundation has joined St. Luke’s University Health Network! Together, St. Luke’s and Penn Foundation will deliver high-quality, integrated, behavioral health and substance use disorder services, creating the largest, fully integrated network of mental and behavioral health services in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Learn more here. 

SE Regional Mental Health Services Coordination Office. This Office serves as the central contact for regional specialty services and oversees, coordinates, and identifies opportunities for service development. The office is also the gatekeeper for regional specialty services, and arranges technical assistance and consultation as needed to ensure that services are tailored to support individual needs. In addition, the office provides trainings for Mental Health First Aid, QPR-Suicide Prevention, and the National GAINS Center Trauma Trainings.

• FREE ongoing Mental Health First Aid Trainings in 2022, sponsored by the Montgomery County Office of Mental Health. Announcing New 2022 Winter/Spring Mental Health First Aid Classes. Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. In this course, participants learn the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, the importance of early intervention and, most importantly, how to help someone experiencing a mental health or substance use emergency. More information at www.fivecountymh.org. See the flyer here.

Tend to Hope’s mission is to provide self-care items and hope-building resources to individuals in mental health crisis facilities. Their “Seeds of Hope” bags are designed to enhance treatment and restore dignity by helping individuals feel more human, cared for and worthy of a good life. Learn more!

The American Red Cross – Several Bucks County hospitals have expressed they have a critically low blood supply, with others in need as well. If you are looking for a way to help our community during these challenging days, please consider donating blood as soon as possible. The American Red Cross can help you find a blood drive near you:  https://www.redcrossblood.org/ with this message on their website: “The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments.”

Veterans Crisis Line: If you are a veteran and in crisis, you can call the toll-free Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available to everyone. All calls are confidential.

Victim Services Center of Montgomery County offers two support groups for the community:

• Support Group for Survivors of Sexual Assault and/or Child Sexual Abuse. 8-week, virtual group; all genders welcome. To join, call 888-521-0983.
• New support group for people who have lost a loved one due to homicide. Call 888-521-0983 to register.