Chronic Illness Warrior Life

DO YOU NEED HELP KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION?

YES, PLEASE!

Professional Mental Health Resources

MENTAL HEALTH

*If you (or someone you know) are in crisis and need immediate help, go to your local hospital emergency department or call 911.

*If you are thinking about hurting yourself or others, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for 24/7 FREE and confidential support.

1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

DISCLAIMER:

Since I am just a blogger who shares her personal experiences living with mental illness, I have created this resource page to direct you to professional resources about mental health.

The information on this Resource Page is meant to be a starting point for you to conduct your own research to find the resources you need right now. 

I keep it as updated as possible, but I cannot guarantee these organizations or links are still active. 

I believe strongly that because I have ONLY sought treatment for my mental health conditions through LICENSED PROFESSIONALS (i.e. my psychiatrist, therapist, and general practitioner,) I am able to manage my illness and live the best life possible. 

National Mental Health Organizations in the U.S.

There are many professional medical organizations in the United States. They all have something important to offer–whether that’s information, advocacy, treatment options, support groups, or connecting you with a mental health care professional in your area. I suggest bookmarking this page for quick reference next time you need it.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

The SAMHSA organization is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads to the advancement and awareness of the behavioral health for people in the United States. 

SAMHSA provides a confidential 24/7 helpline for people in mental health crises. And they can connect you with a treatment center or medical care professional in your local area.

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

This organization is a national network that will connect you with your local crisis center. 

Not only does this organization provide a phone number for people in suicidal crises, but it also gives you the option to live chat to get immediate help.

This is a phone number that is available 24/7 for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. It is completely confidential.

1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

National Institute of Mental Health

This is a trusted source for the latest in research of mental illness disorders. The NIMH is a federal agency for the United States and provides information on . . .

(NAMI) National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI started as a grass-roots organization in the 1970s and is now the largest in the nation. Their mission is to help people with mental illness live their best lives possible. They educate and advocate for more mental health awareness and they also have a help-line (that operates during certain business hours) 1-800-950-6264 (NAMI)

If you are in crisis, you can text NAMI (741741) for 24/7 free crisis counseling.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

With over 600 support groups nationwide, the DBSA can connect you with a group locally to foster support and awareness. They also provide innovative and interactive online resources.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

AFSP is a voluntary health organization that funds scientific research, educates the public about suicide prevention, advocates for public policies, and supports survivors of suicide loss.

Are you in a crisis? Call 800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741.

Mental Health America

MHA is a community-based nonprofit that leads the nation in addressing the needs of individuals who live with a mental health disorder and raising awareness. They work hard on early identification and intervention for people at risk and help provide services and support to reach the goal of recovery.

They also offer some really amazing screening tests to help people identify if they are experiencing symptoms of mental health disorders so they can seek help.

Here are some of the different “mental health tests” they provide: (*just remember these are for screening and not a diagnosis)

National Mental Health Organizations for Other Countries

Canadian Mental Health Association

The CMHA was founded in 1918 and is the most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. They provides advocacy, peer support services, and aid in connecting Canadians with professional mental health providers.

NHS-UK

The NHS website is a hub of vital mental health information for residents of the UK. They have created an app that allows people to access a range of healthcare services including making appointments and refilling medication prescriptions.

Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association

This is a non-government and non-profit organization that is dedicated to promote a better understanding of mental health that shares knowledge and the newest research on treatment. The AMZMH is primarily for mental health professionals, but as a patient it is a great resource of information.

International Professional Mental Health Organizations

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Is a non-profit organization that is international. It is made up mostly of almost two thousand mental health professionals and is dedicated to educating and researching anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and other co occurring disorders. It’s a great place to start to learn more about your diagnosis.

International OCD Foundation

This foundation is dedicated to increasing people’s access to more effective treatment and research while also fighting against the stigma of OCD and related disorders.

Postpartum Support International 

PSI is an organization whose primary focus is to increase the awareness amongst the public and the professional medical community of the experiences of women after childbirth.

They have a toll-free helpline in both English and Spanish that help connect callers local professional resources that include emergency services.

Postpartum Helpline: 1-800-944-4773

Online Therapy Options (Teletherapy)

If you don’t already have an established relationship with a therapist in your area, you may prefer to connect with one online. Especially if your condition makes it hard to leave your house.

Affiliate Disclosure: This resource guide may contain affiliate links — which means that if you purchase something through this link I may be compensated monetarily. This is one way I provide for my family and ONLY share links I believe will be helpful to my readers. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

Talkspace

Talkspace is a growing resource and has many online therapy options.

Online Treatment with a Certified Psychiatrist

Through an online chat with a Talkspace representative, you will be matched with a doctor and schedule your initial session.

Digital Messaging Therapy

This is a service which allows you to text your personal licensed therapist anytime you feel like it. It’s a weekly fee and may be just what you need.

Couple’s Therapy

If you want help with a relationship you can sign up for weekly sessions.

Talkspace for Teens

If you know your child is struggling, this is a great option and very well could be more affordable than seeing a local therapist. Or especially if you don’t have much choice in therapist for teens.

BetterHelp

BetterHelp is an online therapy service for individual counseling, couples counseling, and teen counseling.

You can get counseling on the following topics (but they are not limited to this list.)

  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Self-Esteem
  • Anger
  • Relationships
  • Grief & more

Based on your needs, they will match you with a licensed professional therapist. You can switch at any time.

Your therapy sessions can be done via text, phone, or video.

As a reader of my blog, you can receive 10% off if you use my affiliate link.

TherapyTribe

TherapyTribe offers online therapy services for people in the United States as well as several other countries internationally.

Over 50 different topics (including common mental health topics) here are some others:

  • Chronic Pain Therapy
  • Alzheimers
  • Hoarding Therapy
  • Sleep Disorders Treatment
  • Gambling Addiction
  • Medication Management

One resource at TherapyTribe is an extensive list of helplines for crisis situations (includes International ones too.)

TeenCounseling.com

This online therapy option allows teens (age 13-19) and their parents to seek therapy together–or they can do it separately.

There are four ways that you can connect with licensed counselors:

  • Exchanging messages 
  • Live Chat 
  • Speaking over the phone 
  • Video conferencing 

Couples Therapy Inc.

The founders of Couples Therapy Inc. believe that most couples therapy programs are substandard and stand out because they use a science-based approach.

You can choose a therapist based in the United States or internationally.

LiveHealthOnline

If you are looking for online treatment by a licensed psychiatrist, this may be a good option for you.

They do accept health insurance.

Online Support Groups

Sometimes finding a community of people that intimately understand our struggles can help us manage the symptoms and feelings that come with mental health conditions.

And you can’t argue with the fact that at our most difficult times, getting out of the house can be a huge obstacle.

7 Cups of Tea

7 Cups of Tea is a free community to get emotional support. They offer a variety of communities focusing on different topics.

iPrevail

iPrevail offers several free peer-to-peer support groups on many different topics–like Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar Support–just to name a few.

Therapy Tribes

Besides offering online therapy, TherapyTribes also offers free peer-to-peer Support Groups (or Tribes.)

Postpartum Support International

PSI offers different types of weekly online support group meetings.

  • Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood Support Group
  • Pregnancy Mood Support Group
  • NICU Parents
  • Military Moms
  • Pregnancy & Infant Loss

They also offer resources for dads, including PostpartumDads.org

TheMighty

This is a personal favorite of mine. I have been part of theMighty community for several years (and even written a few articles for them.)

You can follow my profile here.

The way it works is that you can follow different health topics (over 600+ to choose from) that are important to you. You also can sign up for their customized email newsletters. I currently follow Chronic Illness, Mental Health, Chronic Pain, and Bipolar Disorder.

Then when you login, you have sort of like a FB “feed” on the current stories and news on the topics you follow.

bpHope

bpHope is a magazine promoting awareness and the latest information on symptoms, research, treatment, and relationships for Bipolar Disorder. You can also sign up to receive free weekly newsletters.

I found this very interesting part of their website about Celebrities that have Bipolar Disorder. When I was first diagnosed, it was comforting to know that so many well-known and successful people live with this chronic mental health condition.

Do you have any resources you would like me to add to this list? Email me at [email protected]!

Can There Be Hope with Mental Illness?

I believe with all of my heart that there can.

There are plenty of things you can do to support your treatment plan. Focus on your progress and doing what you can to improve and maintain your mental health.

Living with Bipolar 1 Disorder, for me, means I have to be persistent and give myself grace when I have setbacks. The hope I have when I wake up each day is based on knowing that I am a work in progress.

*DISCLAIMER: I am not a mental health-care professional and you should not use the information in this article in place of professional medical advice or treatment. I share my experiences with mental illness challenges to inspire others and be a source of hope in an otherwise dark and unrelenting struggle.