Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use problem, there are several resources available to find out more information or get connected with help. Check out some mental health resources below:

If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or dial 911 in case of emergency.

GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Mental Health America

Visit Mental Health America’s site for information on mental health, getting help, and taking action.

National Council for Behavioral Health

To locate mental health and addictions treatment facilities in your community, use the “Find a Provider” feature on the National Council’s website.

National Empowerment Center

The mission of the National Empowerment Center is to carry a message of recovery, empowerment, hope and healing to those diagnosed with a mental illness. The center provides information and advocacy resources.

National Institute of Mental Health (Mental Illness Among U.S. Adults)

The National Institute of Mental Health website provides prevalence statistics pertaining to mental illnesses, including data by age, gender and race.

President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health

This commission report was released in 2003 as part of an effort to eliminate inequality for Americans with disabilities. It was tasked to “promote successful community integration for adults with a serious mental illness and children with a serious emotional disturbance.” The report describes problems and gaps in the U.S. mental health system and makes recommendations for improvements at the federal, state and local levels of government, as well as private and public health care providers.

World Health Organization (Disability from Mental Illness)

The World Health Organization website contains information on the global burden of disease in various parts of the world, including burden due to mental disorders.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of individuals with mental disorders and their families. Their website provides resources on mental disorders that are helpful for people who have experienced mental illness and their families, including support groups, education and training.

DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL INTENTIONS

American Association of Suicidology

The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) promotes research, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. AAS also serves as a national clearinghouse for information on suicide.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) provides information about suicide, support for survivors, prevention, research and more.

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation website provides information and downloadable fact sheets on depressive disorders.

Mental Health America

Visit Mental Health America’s screening tools page for information on mental health, getting help and taking action.

Depression Screening

The Depression Screening website is sponsored by Mental Health America as part of the Campaign for America’s Mental Health. The mission of this website is to educate people about clinical depression, offer a confidential way for people to get screened for symptoms of depression and guide people toward appropriate professional help if necessary.

MoodGYM

MoodGYM has been evaluated in a scientific trial and found to be effective in relieving depression symptoms if people work through it systematically. This website uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) methods to teach people to use ways of thinking that can help prevent depression.

Postpartum Support International

Postpartum Support International’s (PSI) website includes resources for support, education and local providers focusing on the emotional changes that women experience during pregnancy and postpartum, including postpartum depression. PSI’s toll-free help line is staffed by a team of trained responders who rapidly refer callers to appropriate local resources, including emergency services. 800-944-4PPD (4773)

Progressive Relaxation

Download two progressive relaxation tapes from the Hobart and William Smith Colleges website.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center has fact sheets on suicide by state and by population characteristics, as well as on many other subjects.

NONSUICIDAL SELF-INJURY

Focus Adolescent Services

The Focus Adolescent Services website is designed for parents and covers a wide range of mental health problems, including a section on self-injury.

S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self-Abuse Finally Ends)

S.A.F.E. Alternatives is a residential treatment program for people who engage in self-injury. The website includes information about self-injury and about starting treatment. S.A.F.E information line: 1-800-DONT CUT (366-8288)

ANXIETY DISORDERS

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)

ADAA promotes the early diagnosis, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders.

Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine

The Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital has an online store offering CDs, DVDs and books on relaxation techniques.

E-couch

The E-couch website provides information about emotional problems (including depression and anxiety disorders) – what causes them, how to prevent them and how to treat them. It also provides a set of evidence-based online interventions designed to equip the user with strategies to improve mood and emotional state, along with a workbook to track progress and record experiences.

Freedom From Fear

The Freedom From Fear website provides information, screening tools and other resources on many types of anxiety disorders.

Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation

The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation website includes information about obsessive-compulsive disorder, including information about effective treatments, how to find a health professional who has experience treating the disorder and links to other helpful websites.

PSYCHOSIS AND PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation website provides downloadable fact sheets on psychotic disorders.

Pendulum

Pendulum is a nonprofit organization providing information on bipolar disorder. The website includes book review, discussion forums, articles and links to other resources.

Schizophrenia.com

Schizophrenia.com provides information, support and education to family members, caregivers and individuals whose lives have been affected by schizophrenia.

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Smokefree.gov)

Smokefree.gov, created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides ideas about how to stop using tobacco. Includes downloadable resources and contacts for online and phone counseling.

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence website features information on local resources for getting help for a substance use concern, fact sheets and further information for friends, family members, parents and youth on having a conversation about substance use.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is the lead agency for U.S. research on alcohol use disorders and health.

Start Your Recovery

Start Your Recovery works with leading experts in effectively treating substance use issues to offer people a single source of relatable, reliable information at any stage of their recovery journey.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

NIDA provides links to information for parents, teens, health professionals, teachers and others about various drug use problems.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

SAMHSA’s website has information about substance use disorders of all kinds. It includes information for the public, including families, health professionals, schools and individuals. The website also includes a treatment finder to locate a substance use treatment provider in your area.

DrugScreening.org

DrugScreening.org is a drug use screening site with a questionnaire to help you determine if you or someone you know might have a drug use problem.

AlcoholScreening.org

AlcoholScreening.org is an alcohol use screening site developed by the Boston University School of Public Health. It includes an online test about your own, or someone else’s, level of alcohol use, including advice about cutting down or getting professional treatment.

EATING DISORDERS

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)

ANAD includes information about eating disorders, how to seek treatment and support groups for people suffering from eating disorders and their families.

National Eating Disorders Association

National Eating Disorders Association has stories of recovery from eating disorders, information about seeking treatment and additional resources for school professionals and caregivers.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The NIMH website has links to more information about eating disorders.

HELP LINES

American Psychiatric Association Answer Center

1-888-35-PSYCH (77924)

Live operators available 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern time, refer you to local board-certified psychiatrists.

American Psychological Association of Public Education Line

1-800-964-2000

Follow the automated instructions and press the number 1. Then, an operator will refer you to local board-certified psychologists.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

This hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Calls are transferred to trained counselors in more than 130 sites nationwide. This service also has a new feature for veterans. When veterans, their families or friends call this number and press 1, they can talk to a trained, caring professional in a specialized veterans call center. Calls are free and confidential.

The Trevor Project

1-866-488-7386

This is a free and confidential suicide prevention help line for LGBTQ youth that offers hope and someone to talk to, 24 hours a day.

National Cancer Institute Smoking Quitline

1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848)

(English and Spanish)

Smoking Cessation Centers

1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

(Available in 17 states; English and Spanish)

SUPPORT GROUPS

Al-Anon and Alateen

Al-Anon and Alateen provide information and support for the family members and friends of people with alcohol problems. The sites include lists of meetings in the United States and Canada.

American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse

American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse is a keyword-searchable database of 1,100 national, international, model and online self-help support groups. Also listed are self-help clearinghouses worldwide, research studies, information on starting face-to-face and online groups and a registry for persons interested in starting national or international self-help groups.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Use the “Find a Support Group Near You” tool on the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance website to find out if a support group is meeting in your area. These are peer-led support groups.

Eating Disorders Anonymous

Following the 12-step approach used by Alcoholics Anonymous, Eating Disorders Anonymous can help people struggling with eating disorders. The website lists meetings nationwide.

Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous include information on support groups for drug and alcohol addiction in your area.

Overeaters Anonymous

Following the 12-step approach used by Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous can help people struggling with compulsive eating and binge eating. The website lists Overeaters Anonymous meetings nationwide.

Recovery International

Recovery International, a self-help mental health organization, sponsors weekly group peer-led meetings in many communities, as well as telephone and Internet-based meetings. Click “Find a Meeting” to find the next Recovery International meeting in your area.

Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (Schizophrenics Anonymous)

Schizophrenics Anonymous is comprised of self-help groups established to support the recovery of people who experience schizophrenia. The website lists locations of self-help groups.