Mental Health
Image by Tim Mossholder
Support efforts to destigmatize mental health and provide affordable mental health care. The stigma surrounding mental illnesses, particularly prevalent in older generations, leaves many suffering in silence. The list below offers resources for those who are struggling emotionally, whether because of a mental illness or not.
Mental health resources and organizations.
NAFC Clinics: find a free or low-cost mental health clinic near you (all across the United States).
Psychologist Locator: find a private psychologist near you (all across the United States).
Call hospitals near you for support.
NAMI Resources: includes educational information, finding treatment, suicide awareness, financial and legal assistance, and community services.
Mental Health America offers a screening test (to help people see if they should reach out to get help) and educational resources.
The Trevor Project offers mental health resources and advocates for suicide prevention, focusing on the LGBTQ+ community.
Medicare Plans Patient Resource Center provides a mental health guide aimed to help Medicare recipients identify the different types of outpatient and inpatient services that are covered, eligibility, and how to get help paying for services and medications.
Broad Band Search has an article on cyber bullying, how to recognize it, and how to stop it.
Resume Builder provides free resume templates and advice on entering/reentering the workforce as a person recovering from substance abuse issues.
Organizations for people of color:
Inclusive Therapists: “find a therapist that celebrates your identity.”
Therapy for Black Girls: makes mental health care and resources more accessible to Black women and girls.
Sista Afya provides low-cost mental health services and resources catered to Black women and girls.
AAPA works to advance mental health care in Asian-American communities.
APISAA Therapist Directory: find a therapist (Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American) near you (all across the United States).
Therapy for Latinx: find a therapist specifically catered for the Latinx communities in the United States.
Behavioral Health Services for Native Americans and Alaska Natives
Hotlines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (in English and Spanish): 800-273-8255
The Trevor Project (focused on LGBTQ+): 866-488-7386
National Eating Disorder Association: 800-931-2237
General Crisis (available for anyone): Text SUPPORT to 741-741
Donate!
Strong Minds supports Ugandan women with depression.
The Jed Foundation seeks to help American teenagers and prevents them from committing.
Any of the organizations in the first part!
Educate yourself
NIMH Presentations on mental health topics
NAMI Education Classes for those struggling with mental health or friends/family supporting someone with mental health issues
Watch films!
Project Happiness (Documentary, 2011)
Films that portray mental illness accurately:
Silver Linings Playbook (Film, 2012)
Canvas (Film, 2006)
The Dream Team (Film, 1989)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Film, 2012)
Read books!
The Mark of Shame: Stigma of Mental Illness and an Agenda for Change by Stephen P. Hinshaw
Challenging the Stigma of Mental Illness: Lessons for Therapists and Advocates by Patrick W. Corrigan, David Roe, and Hector W. H. Tsang
The Depression Care: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs by Stephen S. Ilardi, Ph.D.
Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.
Follow creators that advocate for mental health!
Victoria Garrick: @victoriagarrick on Instagram
Sonali Gupta: @mentalhealthwithsonali on Instagram
I WEIGH: @i_weigh on Instagram, founded by Jameela Jamil
