• 530.541.3420 | 2170 South Avenue, S. Lake Tahoe, CA

Mental & Behavioral Health

Just as your health and physical well-being are important, your mind also matters. One in eight people are affected by diagnosable mental illness. Only one third seek help. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Barton Psychiatry & Mental HealthBarton Psychiatry & Mental Health Offices
Barton Psychiatry & Mental Health is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive mental health and psychosocial services to children/ adolescents and their families, as well as adults at its office in South Lake Tahoe. Learn More >

Mental Health

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same things. A person can experience poor mental health and not be diagnosed with a mental illness. Likewise, a person diagnosed with a mental illness can experience periods of physical, mental, and social well-being.

Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States and more than 50% will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. There are more than 200 classified types of mental illness, some of the main types of mental illness and disorders include:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder
  • Disruptive behavioral disorders
  • Depression and other mood disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
  • Substance use disorders

Depression

Depression is more than just feeling down or having a bad day. An individual may be depression when a sad mood lasts for a long time and interferes with normal, everyday functioning. Symptoms of depression include:

  • Feeling sad or anxious often or all the time
  • Not wanting to do activities that used to be fun
  • Feeling irritable‚ easily frustrated‚ or restless
  • Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Waking up too early or sleeping too much
  • Eating more or less than usual or having no appetite
  • Experiencing aches, pains, headaches, or stomach problems that do not improve with treatment
  • Having trouble concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions
  • Feeling tired‚ even after sleeping well
  • Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
  • Thinking about suicide or hurting yourself

If you think you or your loved one is depressed‚ talk with your primary care provider or a mental health professional immediately. This is especially important if your symptoms are getting worse or affecting your daily activities.

Suicide Prevention

Know the signs to help yourself or others; pain isn’t always obvious, but most people show signs if they need help. Find the words; by understanding these signs, you can recognize if you or someone you care about needs help and support. Reach out; if you or a loved one needs help.

  • Know The Signs - Some warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change.  
    • Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
    • Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
    • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
    • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
    • Talking about being a burden to others
    • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
    • Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
    • Sleeping too little or too much
    • Withdrawing or isolating themselves
    • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
    • Extreme mood swings
  • Find The Words - "Are you thinking of ending your life?" Few phrases are as difficult to say to a loved one, but when it comes to suicide prevention, none are more important.
  • Reach Out - You are not alone in helping someone in crisis. Your support makes a difference and support is available in our community. Call one of the local crisis lines listed below or the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 (or at 1.800.273.8255).

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Call, chat or text 24/7: 988 | 988lifeline.org.

 

Mental Health Resources

24-Hour Crisis Lines Area Resources State and National Resources Psychologists & Private Therapists

 

Health & Wellness Directory

 


 

24-Hour Crisis Lines

  • 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - 988
  • El Dorado County Behavioral Health - 530.544.2219
  • Live Violence Free - 530.544.4444
  • Tahoe Youth & Family Services - 800.870.8937
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - 800.950.6264
  • Teen Peer to Peer Support - (800) 852-8336 from 6 pm to 10 pm PST
  • Text Line - Text 'TEEN' to 839863

 


 

Area Resources

Barton Psychiatry & Mental Health in South Lake Tahoe - 530.600.1968

Barton Community Health Center - 530.543.5623

A Balanced Life
530.544.1748

Carson Tahoe Behavioral Health Services - Inpatient Psychiatric & Treatment (Adults)
775.445.7350

Carson Tahoe Behavioral Health Services - Outpatient Psychiatric & Treatment (Adults)
775.445.7756

El Dorado County Behavioral Health
530.544.2219
edgov.us/mentalhealth

Family Resource Center
530.542.0740
tahoefrc.org

Live Violence Free
530.544.4444
liveviolencefree.org

NAMI El Dorado County - South Lake Tahoe
National Alliance on Mental Illness
530.306.4101
F2FNAMI@gmail.com
NAMI hosts a monthly Family Support Group for those with loved ones dealing with a mental health issue or co-occurring addiction issues. Please call for date, time and location information.

Sierra Child & Family Services
530.544.2111

Tahoe Youth & Family Services
530.541.2445
tahoeyouth.org

 


 

State and National Resources

Take Action for Mental Health
takeaction4mh.com

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988lifeline.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
800.950.6264
nami.org

StartYourRecovery.org
startyourrecovery.org

 


 

Psychologists & Private Therapists

Catherine Aisner, PHD, PSY
530.416.6696

Maddie Bishop, APCC
530.213.3225

Sandra Branton, EDD, LMFT
530.541.5977

Kaye Brindley
530.544.1748

Thomas Dickey, MFT
530.543.0400

Erin Eisenlohr, LMFT
775.749.8161

Ellen Fisher
530.544.1728

Laurie Gallagher, LSCW
530.542.2409

Elizabeth (Betsy) Glass, LCSW
530.494.0900

Juanita Hernandez-Morin, PSyD
530.600.1022

Nancy J. Huzicka Crebs, LMFT
530.386.8386

Erin Kelly, LMFT
530.494.9878

Jennifer Kile, LMFT
530.208.5633

Colleen Klym, LMFT
530.659.7437

Anna K. Lee, LMFT
530.307.1250

Marta McLean, LMFT
530.686.5330

Kate Mosher, LCSW
530.494.9839

Viola Nungary, MFT
530.542.0800

Lisa Olson, LMFT
530.208.9424

Marni Perschnick, LCSW
530.205.3142

Marianna Randolph, LCSW
530.721.7281

Erin Ritter, LPCC
973.348.5626

Lindsay Simon, LMFT
530.544.1748

Keith Tanenbaum, LCSW
530.727.5505

Taylor Wasko, AMFT

530.544.1748

Matthew Wong, PsyD
415.806.0275

Learn more about what Barton Health and the Behavioral Health Network do for Mental Health in our community.