Community Health & Wellbeing

In early 2023, the City Council continued community health and public safety as a Council priority. Resources below focus on several areas of wellness to uplift our community all year round. Many of the resources offered are examples of what we are sharing weekly in our digital newsletter called Uplift Local. Sign up now. Check out the August 2022 Celebrate Wellness Month blog and the May 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month article to find more resources.

Mental Health Programs & Other Support

Several resources are available to the community offering support, mental health programs, and more. The Palo Alto Police Department stands ready to assist and respond to any call for help as well. For emergencies, call 9-1-1 for non-emergencies; call our 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413. People in need of assistance can send a text message to 9-1-1 for immediate help.

• The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 9–8–8.
• There is a dedicated onsite field team based in Palo Alto that can be dispatched to North County to support individuals facing mental health or substance use crisis. Reach the County's TRUST program (TRUST stands for “Trusted Response Urgent Support Team.”) by calling (800) 704-0900 and press 1, or call/text 9–8–8 from local 408, 650, and 669 area codes. When calling, you will be connected with a call center team who will respond to individuals facing a mental health or substance use crisis, provide follow-up and referrals as needed, and de-escalate high stress situations. They treat every situation on a case-by-case basis, providing responsive care.

• The Children's Health Council is a local organization offering Teen Therapy Services, including a free 30 minute consultation for teens or explore group and family counseling services. Learn more here: www.chconline.org
• allcove provides non-urgent mental health support for young people aged 12 to 25. Located at 2741 Middlefield Rd., Ste 102 in Palo Alto and open Mondays through Saturdays. Call (650) 798-6330 or visit allcove.org/centers/palo-alto/

• Project Safety Net (PSN) mobilizes community support and resources in Palo Alto for youth suicide prevention and mental wellness.

• Avenidas Friendship Line for seniors: (650) 289-5400 for assistance or to request a friendly phone call.

Helplines & Hotlines

• The State of California’s new website offers a list of hotlines and other resources.
• Are you a teen who needs help? Do you just need someone to talk to? Here is a list of free helplines for teens. Hotlines, helplines, and safelines for Teens.
• Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1(800) 985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
• Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1(800) 799-7233 and TTY 1(800) 787-3224
• NorCal211 has set up a toll free Friendship Line for seniors. (800) 971-0016
• California Warm Line: (855) 845-7415
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: (800)950-6264
• Suicide and Crisis Services of Santa Clara County: 1(855) 278-4204
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Alcoholics Anonymous Santa Clara County Area
• San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services COVID-19 Resources
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• American Psychological Association
• Mental Health America
• Peninsula Healthcare Connection provides integrated primary and mental healthcare and intensive case management for homeless individuals or those at risk of becoming homeless in Santa Clara County, regardless of their ability to pay: (650) 853-0321 Opportunity Center, 33 Encina Avenue, #103, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Wellness & Meditation Online Resources

• Advice from the Sleep Foundation on healthy sleep habits.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guide to Coping with Stress
• The Child Mind Institute's Talking to Kids About Coronavirus.
• Enjoy the soothing “meditOceans” produced the Monterey Bay Aquarium that featuring a guided meditation with beautiful views of the Bay and the Aquarium
• Need a short break?  Try the 10 minute meditations on the Daily Calm channel
• Meditation for Anxiety - Yoga With Adriene - 15 Minute Meditation For Anxiety guides you through a simple at home meditation to provide relief from anxiety, stress and energetic imbalance
• From the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center  - For an introduction to mindfulness meditation specifically designed for use by patients in hospitals or those experiencing health-related difficulties, download the UCLA Mindful app, stream or download the guided meditations on this site. Recorded by UCLA MARC's Director of Mindfulness Education, Diana Winston
• Short videos to practice mindfulness with kids

Fitness & Family Fun Opportunities

City Services & Programs

• Parks and Open Spaces
• Activities and Programs
• Recreation Services 

Online Resources

• Stinky Tales is a new puppet crew sharing cute videos on timely topics, like washing your hands!  
• The National Trust for Historic Preservation has shared 11 for you to enjoy.
• 12 activities to keep your kids’ minds and bodies moving
• Curious about pilates? Try this playlist from the Well+Good channel
• Ready for a sing along or a dance party? The internet radio platform iHeartradio has a collection of playlists perfect for getting energized through music
• Check out these projects from The Artful Parent for some joyful artmaking activities
• The Red Tricycle blog has plenty of good ideas for creative play

Community Health and Sustainability

Sustainability plays a factor in our community's health. By doing sustainable things in your daily life, you can improve your health, the community's health, and have a global impact on climate change. Find these informational resources below to help inform your climate action decisions.

• Indoor Air Pollution: the Link between Climate and Health. Rocky Mountain Institute – 5/5/2020
• Gas Stoves: Health and Air Quality Impacts and Solutions. Direct link to the Report. Rocky Mountain Institute – 5/5/2020
• Understanding the Connections Between Climate Change and Human Health. US EPA – December, 2021
• Pollution from Gas Appliances Endangers Our Health. Going Electric Can Help. Sierra Club – April, 2020
• Climate Change and Health: Air Quality. NRDC 
• Climate Change and Health: Extreme Heat. NRDC
• Effects of Residential Gas Appliances on Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality and Public Health in California. UCLA Department of Environmental Health Sciences – April, 2020

Find additional community support services here.