We offer peer-to-peer support for parents whose teens and young adults are dealing with mental health issues. Attend one of our monthly virtual meetings and discover a caring and comforting community.
Upcoming Support Groups
Parents of Teens and Tweens
Monthly Parent Support Groups
Saturdays: 2:00PM - 4:00PM (Virtual)
Next Meeting Dates (click dates to register):
Parents of Older Teens and Young Adults (18 to 38 years)
Monthly Parent Support Groups
Tuesdays: 6:00PM - 8:00PM (Virtual)
Next Meeting Dates (click date to register):
We usually suggest a $10 donation for Family Sanity Meetings to help cover our administrative costs. Please contact founder Lisa Scimens to request financial assistance lisascimens@gmail.com.
Family Sanity is truly a volunteer run organization. Our facilitators, our parent coach, and our founder all work without compensation. Our operating costs have increased dramatically this year, so please donate whatever you can.
To donate via check, contact founder Lisa Scimens at lisascimens@gmail.com for the mailing address.
From Our Founder
The holidays are almost upon us. My favorite is Thanksgiving because it is about family and food. In recent years ours has been small-ish 7-9 people, but that usually keeps it calm and enjoyable.
My daughter, the baker, will be on desserts with her sister-in-law and my husband will be smoking us two ducks. A welcome change from turkey. So… I’ll be the shopper and make most of the sides and will get a very welcome break!
We are starting to plan our special events for 2027. We are hoping to hold 4-6 of them throughout the year. So far we are working on: “A Special Needs Trust–do we need one?” And “Sleep–why do so many young people have problems?” What else do you want to know more about?
We are also planning to do more in-person gatherings. We will continue to meet at the museum in Palo Alto. Do you have an idea of where to meet in the North Bay, East Bay, and San Francisco? I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Just email me at: lisascimens@gmail.com.
Bay Area Parent Support Group Forum
If you would like to communicate with parents like you about special programs,RTC’s, schools, etc. in between our Family Sanity meetings, there is a San Francisco-based group that provides a listserv that is very helpful. It is run by Lisa Eltinge (lisaeltinge@aol.com) and it is tied to NAMI. Just click on this link http://www.tinyurl.com/Bay-Area-Parent-Forum" or use the following QR Code to sign up:
Parenting Blogs
Never Give Up
by Lisa Scimens
On our recent trip to Africa, I was not only surprised by the multitude of animals we saw and the related experiences. My husband and I were pleasantly surprised with our daughter, now 29, in many ways.
A few years ago our daughter’s string of diagnoses grew to include high functioning Autism. Previously it had been Anxiety/Depression, ADHD, and learning issues. I mention the ASD inclusion because it helps to explain why she knows so much (minutiae) about animals and their habitats.(Two of our guides complimented her on her knowledge and encouraged her to continue studying them. She hopes to be a Marine Biologist one day.)
Does Your Teen or Young Adult Drive Yet?
My daughter is just starting to take driving lessons. She’s 29!
I know I’m not alone. Driving is stressful and even scary for many of our kids, especially those on the spectrum or who are anxious or have certain learning issues.
A recent study done by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that youth with mood disorders were 30% less likely to obtain a drivers license.
Luckily, a mom in the neighborhood told me about a driving school that specializes in teaching anxious kids. Then, in a recent meeting, another mom said how relieved she was that she found a similar school where they live. To see these contacts, click here.
Does your town have a school that is similar? If so, please send the info to Lisa and we will add it to our Resources.
Mentoring Services
If you did not make it to our recent special event on Mentoring, you may want to visit our new Mentoring Services page in our Resources. The two mentors who presented at the event are listed along with a plethora of other ones. Some are Bay Area oriented and others work virtually with teens and young adults across the nation. A few actually mentor parents, as well. To find out more about mentoring, which is a very valuable service for many people, click here to visit this Family Sanity resource.
NEW FAMILY SANITY POLL:
"We are starting to plan our meetings for 2027. Would you prefer to have in-person meetings (rather than online)?"
Testimonials
"Family Sanity has been a lifesaver for me raising 2 teenagers and now young adults as a single mom. I don’t have a great support system, and my siblings / acquaintances really have no idea about raising neuro-divergent kids."