Struggling With Your Mental Health? Here Are 14 Resources to Take Advantage of Now
The number of people experiencing depression, anxiety and other mental health issues has been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of adults in the U.S. with anxiety or depression increased from 36 percent to 41 percent from August 2020 to February 2021.
This rise has greatly increased the need for therapists. When trying to find a mental health provider in your area, you may be told that no one is available, only to be added to a waiting list. This can certainly be discouraging, but it shouldn’t be the end of your search for help. There are many free mental health resources available that can provide a great deal of help while you wait for an appointment with a therapist.
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When using mental health resources online, it can be helpful to focus specifically on the type of help you can benefit from. For example, if you are experiencing postpartum depression, a resource that focuses on this specifically can provide more targeted advice than resources focused on depression in a broader sense.
Whatever you are struggling with, there is free help available. Here’s where to find it.
14 Free Mental Health Resources
1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline
Launched just last month, 988 is similar to 911 but used specifically for mental health emergencies. Anyone who calls or texts will be immediately connected to a mental health counselor who is trained in helping people experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance abuse issues, anxiety or depression.
2. 7 Cups
This online and texting therapy resource allows users to talk with mental health counselors anonymously, if desired. While therapy sessions with 7 Cups’s therapists cost $150, it’s free to talk or text with trained volunteers who are available 24/7. There are also chat room support groups, including for LGBTQ individuals as well as teens.
3. Alcoholics Anonymous
Long and widely trusted as a place to seek support for maintaining sobriety, Alcoholics Anonymous meets online as well as in person. Download the app to see when online support group meetings are and to receive daily inspirational quotes.
4. Herren Project
Herren Project is a non-profit that hosts free, virtual support groups for people who have a loved one experiencing addiction. The meetings are held by licensed clinicians and serve as both a place to offer and get support as well as learn important skills for supporting yourself and your loved one.
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5. Mindfulness for Teens
Created specifically with teens in mind, this online resource has a library of free guided meditations to help calm anxious thoughts. There are also videos and articles explaining what mindfulness is and how to put it into practice.
6. The Trevor Project
An online resource for LGBTQ youth, The Trevor Project has an extensive selection of articles related to mental health, suicide prevention, gender identity and sexual orientation. There is also an online social community called TrevorSpace specifically for LGBTQ people between the ages of 13 and 24 so users can make friends with people they can relate to. Mental health counselors are available to talk, chat, or message 24/7.
7. National Eating Disorder Association
Individuals struggling with an eating disorder can call, text or message the National Eating Disorder Association for help. Their website also has lots of helpful information about identifying eating disorders, steps for developing a more positive body image, seeking treatment and more.
8. Military OneSource
A program created by the U.S. Department of Defense, Military OneSource is a resource specifically for active duty National Guard and Reserve service members as well as their families. The confidential 24/7 call line can provide support and answers to questions related to military life, such as how to maintain a healthy relationship with a loved one who is deployed, help managing finances, how to get childcare or questions related to moving.
9. Soldiers’ Angels
If you are an active duty service member or veteran in need of mental health support, Soldiers’ Angels is there for you. This non-profit has a wide range of support programs, including for deployed female soldiers, pregnant spouses with a deployed partner, low-income veterans, wounded service members and spouses who have a wounded partner.
10. Responder Strong
First responders are at increased risk for experiencing anxiety and depression because of the trauma they are exposed to on a regular basis. Responder Strong has a vast library of articles and self-help tools that can be accessed for free. Using the site, first responders can do self-assessments related to alcohol use, depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder and suicide risk. There is also a free mindfulness audio course and other guides for coping with traumatic events.
11. Physician Support Line
If you are a doctor in need of mental health support, call the Physician Support Line to talk to a volunteer psychiatrist. There’s no need to make an appointment and the calls are both free and confidential.
12. Postpartum Support International
Postpartum Support International has both a helpline and text crisis line that new moms experiencing depression or anxiety can call for in-the-moment help. There are also 14 different online support groups available five days a week to connect with others who can relate to what you are going through. PSI also offers support and resources for anyone who has experienced a miscarriage or infant loss.
13. International OCD Foundation
A dedicated resource for individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder, the International OCD Foundation has a wealth of articles about how to live well with OCD. There is also a search tool for finding a therapist who specializes in OCD in your area.
14. Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America
Individuals with schizophrenia can find a support group through the Schizophrenia and Related Disorder Alliance of America website. There are also extensive toolkits available for free, including on what to do after being diagnosed, if you are a caretaker, and more.
