May is Mental Health Awareness month. While your emotional wellbeing is always important, this month marks a time when many organizations will promote their mental health services. Perhaps you suspect that you’ve been dealing with anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition for quite some time now. Yet you’re just not sure where to turn for support.
May is the perfect time to learn more about the services available to you, often for little to no cost. By identifying different resources that you can use throughout your healing journey, you can finally start getting the help you need.
Here are a few mental health resources that you may not have been aware of before.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline is a free, confidential service that you can call 24/7, any day of the year. They offer treatment referrals and information services in both English and Spanish for individuals or their loved ones who are struggling with substance abuse or mental health disorders.
This helpline does not provide counseling. However, they can connect you with local treatment centers, support groups, and other community organizations. Furthermore, their website includes a treatment locator tool so that you can look up service providers nearby.
If you are uninsured, they will put you in contact with your state office so that you can access free or low-cost state-funded services. If you are on Medicare or Medicaid, they can also refer you to clinics that accept these forms of insurance.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
This free, 24/7 suicide prevention hotline is completely confidential. If you or a loved one is in distress, you can call them at any time. They offer services and resources in English and Spanish, as well as specialized services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
When you call, you will be connected with a trained worker at your local crisis center, and you can share anything on your mind with them. They will provide you with support and share additional resources that might help.
On their website, they also offer resources for dealing with different forms of crises, such as disasters, the loss of a loved one, or dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, you can find resources specifically for vulnerable populations, such as Native Americans, the LGBTQ+ community, and veterans.
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) MedlinePlus
Do you have questions about mental health in general—or your physical health, for that matter? MedlinePlus is basically an online library hosted by the National Institute of Health. In fact, it’s technically the world’s largest medical library!
In the MedlinePlus library, you’ll find articles based on peer-reviewed research covering countless health topics, from medical tests to nutrition to drugs and supplements to general health topics. You can also check out their online encyclopedia if you encounter any confusing terms.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
If you’re worried about paying for therapy or other health services, you might feel like you’re at a loss. The Health Resources and Service Administration can help. This federal institution is an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
They aim to connect vulnerable people with free or low-cost health services. Their goal is to support equity within public health. They primarily work with people who often lack affordable access to health services, such as Native Americans, pregnant women, mothers with young children, people with HIV, and those living in rural areas.
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Are you struggling with your mental health? If you’re ready to make a change, therapy can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.