Mental Health Check & A List of Bay Area Resources

Hello. This is my mental health check. It’s been a year since I’ve written anything, at least that I’ve considered publishing. When I originally started my blog as a freshman entering my undergrad, I was just excited to share my journey with all my friends and family. I wanted my blog to be a place where the people I cared about could keep up with me (hence “Chasing Crystal”…get it? HAHA). 

Now it’s been four years and I’ve finished my undergrad.

Yay to the Class of 2020 for graduating amidst a global pandemic, another civil rights movement, and one of the west coast’s worst fires ever!

To be completely honest, the past year of my life has been one of the most difficult years of my “adult” life. I contemplated on writing or sharing any aspects of my life in the past year because I felt like with the current climate, my problems could be seen as trivial. I didn’t want to put my thoughts into a world that is already crowded. 

If I was going to share how I felt to the world, I wanted my thoughts to have purpose and be meaningful. I am now at a place in my life where I feel like I can do that.

This past year I suffered from anxiety and self-esteem issues that resulted in me being diagnosed with depression. In my previous blog posts, I wrote about being an intense workaholic. I liked working because it allowed me to distract myself from any problems I had while focusing on what I enjoyed doing and was passionate about. But I struggled with balancing my personal life with work, resulting in relationships with my family and my significant other to fail. And I blamed myself for my failures. 

As a 21 year old who was graduating and at the beginning of her exciting new life, I was extremely unhappy. I was so anxious and self-critical of myself to the point where I second guessed everything I did. I felt worthless because I didn’t believe in myself anymore. 

I got help. It was, and still is a very difficult process. 

Previously, I had gone to therapy here and there during times where I was free to but never consistently. I felt nervous telling a stranger parts of me that even I didn’t quite understand. At times, I felt like going to therapy was a public display that I was sick and needed help and it made me embarrassed that I had let myself get to this point. 

At the end of the day, getting consistent help and support is one of the best decisions I made for my health. I am writing this post today because I got help and I am finally at a place where I can confidently say I feel not just ok, but happier 🙂 

I am writing this post because I want to advocate for those who are not feeling ok to get help, in any way they can. Whether it be sharing how you feel with the people you care about or with a stranger online (like me, I’m here to listen), take the step to get yourself where you want to be. 

I know that there are big issues in the world right now. But you matter too. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

I’ve compiled lists of health services and resources below. For my Bay Area locals, you can receive free/discounted mental health services with or without medical insurance. For those currently in school, your high school or university offers FREE psychological health services so you can also choose to use them instead! Keep in mind, because of COVID-19, services provided are via video/phone call. 

Bay Area Mental Health Services (Santa Clara & San Jose)

• Santa Clara County Mental Health Urgent Care (MHUC):
  • 1-(408)-88 -7855
  • M – S 8AM – 10PM
  • Languages: English, Farsi, Korean, Spanish Vietnamese
• Momentum For Health:
  • 1-(408)-254-6828
  • M – F 8:30AM – 5PM
• Family and Children’s Services of Silicon Valley (FCS):
  • 1-(408)-538-0880
  • M – TH 9AM – 8PM, F 9AM – 5PM
• Act For Mental Health:
  • 1-(408) 287-2640
  • M – F 9AM-5PM
  • Languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese

National Mental Health Resources

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7): 1-800-273-8255 
• Text “HOME” to 741741 to Connect with a Crisis Counselor (24/7)
• SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline : 1-877-726-4727
  • M – F 8AM to 8PM EST

If you ever find yourself needing someone to talk to, I am here!!! I mean it. I don’t care if we are complete strangers. That can change 🙂 

As always,