180 - Let's Be Open and Honest About Mental Health

Amber Smithson is the Director of Business Development at Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital. She joined the hospital about six years ago and since then has had the great privilege of helping to educate and advocate for mental health and addiction in her community. She is passionate about bringing about awareness and doing her part to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health.  Troy Burden sits down with Amber Smithson, the Director of Business Development at Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare, as she helps bring truth to the common myths that surround mental health issues. She explains the common issues that our youth face such as anxiety and depression that stems from school or social settings and how no matter the situation it should be taken seriously. She encourages anyone who is facing mental health issues to be open and honest with those around them and to seek help when it becomes too much for them to handle. LEARN MORE ABOUT BAKERSFIELD BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE: Website: www.bakersfieldbehavioral.com/ Phone: (661) 837-0755 Instagram: @bakersfieldbehavioral Facebook: Bakersfield_Behavioral_Healthcare_Hospital LinkedIn: BakersfieldBehavioralHealthcareHospital YouTube: @bakersfieldbehavioralhealt762 Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital 661-398-1800 Kern County Crisis Line 800-991-5272 Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 National Alliance on Mental Health 800-950-NAMI (6264) Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 or 988 CA Youth Crisis Hotline 800-843-5200 The Center (LGBTQ+) 661-843-7995 TrevorLifeline (LGBTQ+) 866-488-7386 Trevor Chat (LGBTQ+) Text START to 678678 Kern Helpline (CAP-K) 211 (Food Distribution Info) Kern County Family Justice Center 661-868-8410 Alliance Against Family Violence 800-273-7713 ORGANIZATIONS Kern County Aging & Adult Services 5357 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93309 Phone: (661) 868-1000 Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County ​4203 Buena Vista Road Bakersfield, CA 93311 Phone: (661) 665-8871 Stepping Stones Outpatient Services 5201 White Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93309 Phone: (661) 241-5537 Email us, for information only: [email protected] Group Therapy in person or via Zoom Senior Helpers 3917 Stockdale Hwy Bakersfield, CA 93309 Phone: (661) 768-0688 ​in-Home Help Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAP-K) Call 211 for connections to hundreds of services in Kern County. Or visit: www.211kerncounty.org