Since Friday's mass shooting in Connecticut, mental health care has been a main focus. What do you do if you or someone you know needs help?
Rosa Castellon, a local mother trying to get help for her daughter, Jessica Reyes, says it's been tough.
Jessica seems like a normal 11-year-old, having a snack and drink in her Justin Bieber cup. But, her mother says she suffers from mental illness.
"When she was like 5-and-a-half, she killed the pet. It was a bird," said Castellon of her daughter.
Castellon says her daughter has been in psych evaluations since before age two. Still, no one has been able to pinpoint what's wrong with her.
"It's extremely difficult. It's so hard to not know how to help your own kid," said Castellon.
Dr. Jim Waterman, Director of the Kern County Mental Health Center, says they are doing what they can to help those in need.
"We'll do whatever it takes to protect someone's life or somebody else's life," said Dr. Waterman. "No. I don't think there are enough resources. I don't want that to come across that I'm complaining because we have lots of resources and we do lots of things in this county."
Anyone can get help at the Mary K. Shell Health Center. Just walk in.
Parents can request a mental evaluation there for their child if they suspect there's a threat. If there's a fear an adult might act out, Dr. Waterman suggests calling the crisis hotline. If needed, the Mobile Evaluation Team will come out and help police. If they suspect a serious threat, a person can be taken involuntarily to a hospital and held for 72 hours. After that, a hearing is needed to hold a person longer.
"Law enforcement officers, they're not mental health counselors and they don't need to be," said Dr. Waterman. "But, our employees could help sort out, is this person really in danger or what needs to be done."
It's a situation Rosa is trying to avoid, getting Jessica the help she needs now.
"I don't want to get to that point. I want to get to the point where I can say nothing happened. My daughter didn't do nothing because I got the help," said Rosa Castellon.
Dr. Waterman says the crisis hotline gets about 2,000 calls per month. That number is 1-800-991-5272.