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

Visit Mental Health America’s site for information on mental health, getting help, and taking action.
To locate mental health and addictions treatment facilities in your community, use the “Find a Provider” feature on the National Council’s website.
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.
The National Institute of Mental Health website provides prevalence statistics pertaining to mental illnesses, including data by age, gender and race.
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.
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.
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 & Suicidal Intentions

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.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) provides information about suicide, support for survivors, prevention, research and more.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation website provides information and downloadable fact sheets on depressive disorders.
Visit Mental Health America’s screening tools page for information on mental health, getting help and taking action.
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 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’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)
Download two progressive relaxation tapes from the Hobart and William Smith Colleges website.
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

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 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

ADAA promotes the early diagnosis, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders.
The Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital has an online store offering CDs, DVDs and books on relaxation techniques.
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.
The Freedom From Fear website provides information, screening tools and other resources on many types of anxiety disorders.
The International OCD Foundation 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 & Psychotic Disorders

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation website provides downloadable fact sheets on psychotic disorders.
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 provides information, support and education to family members, caregivers and individuals whose lives have been affected by schizophrenia.

Substance Use Disorders

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.
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.
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 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.

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

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 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 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

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

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

Help Lines

1-888-35-PSYCH (77924)

1-800-964-2000

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

1-866-488-7386

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

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

Support Groups

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 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.

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.

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

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, 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.

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.