MovingForward

How a family learns aboutmental health

When does a person need help?

• Serious behavior problems with a child• Severe feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and

crying spells• Thoughts of hurting yourself or others• Anxiety or panic attacks• Strange thoughts• Mood swings

Mental health services are available to all people withMedi-Cal or without health insurance. No one is turnedaway based on inability to pay.

Mental health services are confidential and are based onthe belief that people can and do recover from mental illness. Even though asking for help with mental healthproblems may be a challenge, reaching out for help is justa phone call away.

For more information or for help with mental health problems, call (800) 479-3339 [TDD/TTY (619) 641-6992].This toll-free number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides counselors who can answer yourquestions and provide referrals for mental health care.

County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency

With thanks to San Diego County Library for its support in distributing this fotonovela.

Funded by the Mental Health Services Act, Prevention and Early Intervention, County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Mental Health Services.

Not yet.

Is Mami sick,Papa?

Mom hasn’t been feelingwell for quite some time.

Is Maria Ester havingaches and pains again?Poor thing.

Don’t worry.She’s fine.

Good morning, Dad.Is Mom up yet?

Something is wrong...

Marisol, tell your Mom breakfast is ready.

Friday morning in the kitchenof the Lopez family.

1

That’s strange. Maria Ester likes totake Marisol with her on Saturdays.I need to talk to someone...

Mami, you said I couldgo to the laundromatwith you.

God, I’m ugly.I’m useless. I can’teven go to work.I’m going backto bed.

The next day...

No, mija. Not today.

Come on, Marisol.We’ll go to the park.

2

Mami, breakfastis ready!

Doña Prudencia calls herspiritual advisor...

Do you remember mysister, Father?

Yes, Prudencia.She was in a lotof pain.

That’s why I want to helpMaria Ester, but my sonis resisting...

You know howto talk to Luis,Prudencia. Justtell him what isin your heart.

3

We didn’t help her asmuch as we shouldhave because of ourshame, Father.

That was a differenttime. Now we knowthere's no shame inasking for help.

Oh Luz, look at allthe laundry I haveto do. I feel sodiscouraged.

Hello, Maria Ester!I was hoping you’d behere today.

Meanwhile, at the laundromat...

What’s the matter?You don’t look so good.

I don’t know. I’m sadall the time. I didn’teven have the energyto bring Marisol today.

Here’s some tea to calmyour nerves. So tell me,what’s going on?

I don’t have that much.Let me help you.Then we’ll sit and talk.

4

But I’m not crazy, Luz.

Of course not. But helpis available and it’syour right to get it.

I just need some rest...

5

We found out that he haddepression. The doctor treatedhim and he started going togroup meetings. He is so muchbetter now.

A few years ago, my husbandfelt the same way. Tired. Sad.Angry for no reason.

Yes, I think so...

If you change your mind,here’s a number to call.I’ll go with you to your firstappointment if you like.

What a busybody!

(800) 479-3339 TDD/TYY (619) 641-6992

Please don’t be offended.I’m your friend.Do you still want to go tothe market tomorrow?

I don’t feel up to it.What’s wrong with me?

6

The next day, the two friendsgo shopping...

I don’t remember what I’mmaking for dinner. I don’tremember anything!

Maria Ester, remindme to get garbanzos. I should have stayed

home in bed...

What did I come here for?

Oh dear. Don’t worry...

You said you neededtomatillos, right?

7

Come on, I’ll take youhome...

Poor thing. If she onlyknew that there arekind, understandingand professionalpeople waiting to helpher through this.

8

I can’t even remembera simple grocery list.I’m completely useless!My God, what’s thematter with me?

9

One minute I was fine.Then, it was like theworld closed in on me.

What happened, dear?

Oh, hija. I am sosorry. Go rest,and I’ll bringyou a cup of tea.

I can’t even get the groceries.I am good for nothing.

This can’t go on...

Mami, are you sick again?

Maria Ester returns home.

Hello, Maria Ester.Do you need helpwith the groceries?

Oh no, Prudencia. Something happenedat the store. I didn’tget anything...

10

Luis comes home from work...

Papi, Mami is sick again.

Not again...

Luis, can you go to the storeand get some tortillas?I’ll make bean soup for dinner.

I worked really hardtoday. Didn’t MariaEster get to the store?

She couldn’t finish hershopping, poor thing.I’m worried about her, Luis.

She’s fine, mama.

Dad, maybe Abue is right. Maybeyou should take her to the doctor.

There is nothing wrongwith your mother, Diego.Now go do your home-work and take your sisterwith you.

11

Oh no, Mama. Don’t tell me youthink Maria Ester is crazy!

Hijo, my sisterwasn’t crazy.But she sufferedso much becausewe didn’t knowhow to help her.

What will peoplethink, Mama?

Mama, with respect,I don’t think it’s thesame thing.

If she were physicallysick, we wouldn’t thinktwice about taking herto the doctor. This isno different, Luis.

Maybe you’re right...

Just talk to her, Luis.Tell her what’s inyour heart.

Luis, do you rememberyour Aunt Laura?

Maybe not. But there aredoctors who specialize inhelping people like MariaEster.

12

Are you okay? Mama saidyou don’t feel well.

I don’t know what’s happen-ing to me anymore...I can’tconcentrate. I’m sad all thetime. My body aches for noreason.

Do you think I’m crazy,Luis?

No, you’re not crazy.Do you think you mightbe pregnant?

How can you askme that? Don’t yousee what I’m goingthrough?

You’re right.I’m sorry...

Luis goes to Maria Ester...

13

Luz said I should call thecounty help line. She saidit’s my right to get help.She gave me a numberto call.

Maybe you should call,Maria Ester. Whateverhappens, we’ll getthrough this together.

Finally!

Maria Ester dials (800) 479-3339 TDD/TYY (619) 641-6992

14

Three months later....

I thought I wouldwalk you home.

So how is it going?Are your sessionshelping? Yes! And I think the

medication is working.I haven’t felt like cryingin weeks.

I need to apologizefor the way I behaved.I should have seenthat you needed help.

All that is behind us now.

I’m grateful that we found help.You’re a wonderfulwife and mother,and we love youvery much.

What are you doinghere, Luis?

15

Feliz cumpleaños, Marisol!

Six months later....

What a beautifulcake you made!

Thank you, Luz.A few months ago Iwouldn’t have beenable to organize thisparty. I’m feeling morelike myself again.

Thank you both forbeing so understanding,and helping me when Ineeded it.

That’s what friendsare for!

We’re just happy youfound the help youdeserve.

It’s common to react asI did. But, I learned it’simportant to let peopleknow you care, and toreally listen to them.

16

It took time for me to admitthat I needed help, but I’m soproud of myself for makingthe call. If you need someoneto talk to, or you’re worriedabout someone you know,please call (800) 479-3339 [TDD/TTY (619) 641-6992].

Do it for yourself.Do it for your family!