Reach-Out of Alameda County is a client-run hospital visitation program and part of the Alameda County Network of Mental Health Clients.

The purpose of Reach-Out is to reach out to those people who are hospitalized, through visits, and telephone contact. Reach-Out visitors have all been there themselves and so know about the isolation and loneliness that can happen to people in hospitals. They choose to visit on Saturdays because the weekends are often less structured and boredom can often set in.

Reach-Out visitors give clients in hospitals emotional support, supplies and the sense that they too can make it in the community with support and resources that are available through other self-help organizations.

Reach-Out is funded by Alameda Behavioral Health Care Services following many years of foundation and private funding by the Zellerbach Family Fund, the San Francisco Foundation and the Telecare Co.

Reach-Out can offer:

1. Real life experience on how to deal with the mental health system.
2. Contact with peers who now live successfully in the community.
3. Problem solving assistance.
4. Referral to other client-run self help groups who can help them deal with getting the services and benefits they need to live in the community.
5. Monthly visits where one-on-one and group peer support is offered along with supplies.