Children/Adolescents

• Text 4 Teens  845-391-1000
  Mental Health Association in Orange County Inc.'s anonymous text helpline.
  Provides teens with confidential text line for information, referral and support.
  Sponsored by Orange County Youth Bureau and OC Dept. of Mental Health
  Monday-Thursday 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
  Friday 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.
  Sat/Sun 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.

• NAMI Launches Crisis Text Line Service Partnership
  Free support at your fingertips, 24/7
  Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via the medium people already use and trust: text.

  Here’s how it works:
  Text NAMI to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis.
  A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds quickly.
  The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment

•  Family Ties
  

  a support group for parents and families with children/adolescents who have emotional, behavioral or social difficulties (including Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders.)
  Meets the second Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m. at MHA in Middletown. Call MHA at 845-342-2400 Ext. 1246 for more information

• Autism Spectrum Fund
  Formed in 2004, Autism Move-a-thon of Orange County (AMOC) strives to support families who cope with Autism and related disorders. These families face their struggle often in isolation and at great personal hardship. AMOC aims to raise public awareness of Autism through seminars and media campaigns in Orange County. AMOC works to provide information and networks to help empower families and the community, so that we can better address the unique and troubling challenges of this health problem. AMOC also aims to raise understanding and tolerance in Orange County. We advocate for those people, often voiceless, who might act or look different, who should be respected, and loved for whom they (or we) are.
  Mental Health Association in Orange County, Inc. administers annual  donation from AMOC for the Autism Spectrum Fund. Click here for Application Form
  Call Natasha Tomlins for more information 845-342-2400 ext. 1254

• Self Harm

• Legal Services of the Hudson Valley's Lanza Children's Law Center
  is dedicated exclusively to protecting the rights of children   
  Home page is lshv.org
  
  • Special Education
  • children with disabilities
  • school suspension
  • children in foster care and homeless children
  • social security income (SSI) benefits
  • guardianship

• NAMI-NYS Downloads Relating to Children

• NAMI-NYS Children's Advocacy

• ok2talk.org
  

  Teens and young adults who live with mental illness can feel hopeless and alone. Many don’t know what’s wrong with them but feel like it’s their fault. Those who understand what is happening fear they can’t be helped. Because of the stigma attached to mental illness, it’s often hard for those suffering and their families and friends to talk about what they’re going through. But help is available, and it works.

  The goal of OK2TALK is to create a community for teens and young adults struggling with mental health problems and encourage them to talk about what they’re experiencing by sharing their personal stories of recovery, tragedy, struggle or hope. Anyone can add their voice by sharing creative content such as poetry, inspirational quotes, photos, videos, song lyrics and messages of support in a safe, moderated space. OK2TALK hopes this is the first step towards getting help and feeling better.

        *NAMI is one of the founding partners of OK2TALK.

• You Are Not Alone (YANA)
  another NAMI website that is for folks who would like to tell their story to help inspire hope and break down stigma

• NYS Office of Mental Health
  Information for Children, Teens and their Families