“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, more unashamed conversation about illnesses that affect not only individuals, but their families as well.”
― Glenn Close
There is a lot of stigma in our world around mental illness and emotional disorders. Understanding and taking care of your mental health is not just for those with a particular diagnosis.
On this page you'll find links to organizations and resources to assist you in your journey -- whether your journey is being a support person for someone in your life, an advocate for people with invisible disabilities, or a very brave individual taking the first step into understanding themselves.
*Obligatory side-note: I am not in any way connected with, sponsored by or paid to list these specific organizations. I am always happy to learn about other resources, so please do not hesitate to reach out to me with suggestions for the page.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
or 988
Crisis Text Line
text "BRAVE" to 741-741
National Domestic Violence Hotline
National Hopeline Network
Self-Harm Hotline
American Association of Poison Control
Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line
National Crisis Line, Anorexia and Bulimia
GLBT Hotline
The Trans Lifeline
7 Cups offers online support groups, chat rooms, and forums for members to share their feelings, experiences and gain peer support.
Great for: Friends and family supporting someone, online/virtual support, a place to start
Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults
Great for: Advocates, schools, businesses, online support, mental health information, self-care resources
ADAA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through education, practice, and research.
Great for: Support resources, education, online community
Addiction Group has some great information on the different kinds of rehab programs such as inpatient vs. outpatient programs and partial hospitalization.
Great for: Addiction education, understanding treatment options, finding programs near you,
Lifeline Chat is a service of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, connecting individuals with counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat.
Great for: Online support, starting your journey, anonymous
Check out this helpful and fact-filled blog published by BroadbandSearch, especially the section about the mental health impacts
of cyberbullying.
Alcohol Rehab Guide is an informational web source dedicated to supporting and helping anyone battling alcoholism or co-occurring behavioral and mental health disorders.
Great for: Addiction education, finding treatment near you
The Art Therapy Nest is a compassionate community space for healing and creativity. Offering virtual and interactive groups and workshops, at a low sliding-scale rate, allowing nurturing support to be accessible to all.
Great for: Art therapy, virtual support, low-cost options
This is an organization based in Winchester, VA, but has some great information and online resources.
Great for: Addiction and substance abuse information, co-occurring conditions, links between suicide and other mental health conditions
BC2M is a non-profit awareness and advocate group focused on open conversation regarding mental illness and ending stigma.
Great for: General education, friends and family, activists
Recovery experts provide trusted resources and relevant information for individuals and their families struggling with substance abuse.
Great for: Addiction education, finding programs near you,
FreeRehabCenters.net connects you with the highest level of care based on your individual needs and financial situation. Great resource for low-cost and free rehab options in all 50 states.
Great for: Addiction education; understanding treatment options; find help near you
Their mission is to promote the use of art therapy and creative expression to develop fresh perspectives and practice new patterns that lead to personal and professional wellness and growth.
Great for: Virtual resources, art therapy, online support
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Great for: Support resources, education, starting the journey
NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.
Great for: A place to start (including screening tool), eating disorder education, community and advocacy, online chat
NMW (No Matter What) is an organization based in Los Angeles, CA but also has some great information and resources for those of us who do not reside in or near L.A.
Great for: De-stigmatizing mental illness, addiction education
No Shame On U is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the people who need help to seek it, for family members and friends to know how to provide proper support and to save lives.
Great for: Support resources, friends and family, advocates
PFLAG was the first organization devoted to helping parents, families, and allies support LGBTQ+ people.
Great for: Friends & family, advocates, community support, education
This service features counselors who not only specialize in helping people who are LGBTQ+, they also have experience with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and relationships.
Great for: Online licensed therapy, affordable options
Q Chat Space allows LGBTQ+ teens (13-19) to participate in online support groups that are professionally facilitated. All members are verified and the facilitators guide conversations and enforce group rules to ensure safety.
Great for: Teens, additional resources, safe peer support
Rehab Spot's mission is to promote wellness with a completely free web guide. Many people experience addictions in themselves or someone they know.
Great for: Addiction education; understanding treatment options and contacts for treatment programs near you
Before you can overcome addiction, you must first understand what causes it. Rehab Aid is a comprehensive website with information on all kinds of addictions as well as treatment options.
Great for: Addiction education; understanding treatment options; find help near you; statistics and facts
Offering comprehensive online mental health treatment options including video call and messaging. Online mental health self-evaluation.
Great for: Starting your journey, online support, teens
Depression and other mood disorders are the number-one risk factor for suicide, but alcohol and drug abuse are a close second. A guide to help people understand the connection between suicide and substance abuse.
Great for: Co-occurring conditions, addiction recovery