Mental Health Resources: helplines, support groups, sources of information

ONLINE/VIRTUAL RESOURCES

18percent — www.18percent.org

Offers a free, peer-to-peer online support community for those struggling with a wide range of mental health issues.

211 – https://www.211.org

211 is the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country.

7 Cups – https://www.7cups.com

Website/App – Utilizes both trained listeners and licensed therapists and counselors to provide services. Trained listeners are laypeople trained in active listening who provide free confidential support. Users can also establish a relationship with a licensed professional for a fee. Not first responder specific, but they allow you to pick your listener and therapist so you can find someone who you’re likely to be able to connect with.

911 Help Site – https://www.facebook.com/groups/911HelpSite/

Facebook group

A Shoulder for Emergency Services – https://www.facebook.com/groups/880225438725570/

Facebook group

BetterHelp – https://www.betterhelp.com

Website/App – Offers online counseling with licensed mental health professionals. Not first responder specific, but they try to match you with a counselor who meets your needs.

Calm – https://www.calm.com

Website/App – Highly rated program for practicing meditation. Programs are aimed at learning meditation and improving stress, anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

EmotionsAnonymous – http://www.emotionsanonymous.or/

An international fellowship of people who desire to have a better sense of emotional well-being. 

EA members have in person and online weekly meetings available in more than 30 countries with 600 active groups worldwide.

The EA is nonprofessional and can be a complement to therapy.

EMS Support Group by Tales From the Boo Boo Bus – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1266874023353167/

Facebook group

FindHelp – https://www.findhelp.org

Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs, including new programs for the COVID-19 pandemic

ForLikeMinds – http://www.forlikeminds.com/

Online mental health support network that allows for individuals to connect with others who are living with or supporting someone with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and stressful life events.

IntelliCare – https://intellicare.cbits.northwestern.edu

App (Android only) – IntelliCare is a suite of apps that work together to target common causes of depression and anxiety like sleep problems, social isolation, lack of activity, and obsessive thinking. These apps are part of a nationwide research study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

PsyberGuide – https://onemindpsyberguide.org

Website that rates a large number of mental health apps. Also contains lists of apps designed for specific conditions and apps that follow a specific treatment modality.

PsychCentral – http://www.psychcentral.com/

Offers online mental health resources, quizzes, news, an “Ask the Therapist” function, and online support communities.

PTSD Coach – https://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/materials/apps/ptsdcoach.asp

Website/App – Designed by the National Center for PTSD (a division of the VA). PTSD Coach provides information about diagnosing and treating PTSD, the ability to track symptoms, information on handling stress, and direct links to support and help. Canadian version in French available for iPhone.

Ontario’s First Responder PTSD Support Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/292620037562380/

Facebook group

SupportGroups – https://online.supportgroups.com/

Website featuring 200+ online support groups.

Support Group Central – www.supportgroupscentral.com

Offers virtual support groups on numerous mental health conditions – free or low-cost. Website also offered in Spanish.

Talk Space – https://www.talkspace.com

Website – Offers online therapy with licensed mental health providers. Intake counselor will match you with an appropriate therapist.

The Mindfulness App – https://themindfulnessapp.com

App – Has a guided introduction to mindfulness. Also has both guided and silent mindfulness sessions ranging from 3-30 minutes.

TheTribeWellnessCommunity — www.support.therapytribe.com

Free, online peer support groups offering members facing mental health challenges and/or difficult family dynamics a safe place to connect. 

Support groups include Addiction, Anxiety, Depression, HIV/AIDS, LGBT, Marriage/Family, OCD and Teens.

Project Siren – https://www.facebook.com/groups/EMSstrong/

Facebook group

Project Hope; EMS and PTSD – https://www.facebook.com/groups/firstaid4ptsd/

Facebook group

PTSD Chat – https://www.ptsdchat.org

A primarily Twitter based PTSD peer support chat group. They hold weekly “meetings” on Twitter, and participants have included first responders and veterans. Their website also has news and information related to PTSD and mental health.

Self-Help Group Clearinghouse – https://selfhelpgroups.org

Offers a database of 1,100 national, international, model, and online self-help support groups. 

The Star of Life Initiative – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538111243118279/

Facebook group

Under the Lid – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1384379755194947/

Facebook group

RESOURCES FOR ALL

Al-Anon and Alateen — https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/

Provides information and support for the family members and friends of those with alcohol problems. Includes a list of meetings in the United States and Canada.

Alcoholics Anonymous– www.aa.org

Information on Alcoholics Anonymous websites and contact for groups in your area. 

Anxiety and Depression Association of America – http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/panic-disorder-agoraphobia/symptoms

Increases awareness and improves the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorder in adults and children. 

American Association of Suicidology – www.suicidology.org

Promotes research, public awareness programs, public education, and training. 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention– www.afsp.org

Provides information about suicide, support for survivors, prevention, and research. 

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation – https://www.bbrfoundation.org

Provides information and downloadable fact sheets on mental illness

Ceridian Cares – https://www.ceridiancares.com 

Ceridian Cares provides grants for food, clothing, footwear, and household items. We provide assistance for medical devices, home adjustments for barrier free living, and recreation programs for individuals and families in need.

Mental Health America – www.mentalhealthamerica.net

Mental Health America has information on mental health and treatment and services.

Narcotics Anonymous– www.na.org 

 Information on Narcotics Anonymous websites and contact on groups in your area

National Alliance on Mental Illness – www.nami.org

The largest nonprofit organization dedicated to better lives with resources for self-help, education, training, and support and advocacy of individuals with mental disorders. 

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders– www.anad.org 

Dedicated to the prevention and alleviation of eating disorders. ANAD also focuses on prevention, education and helping those who are struggling find treatment and support.

National Council for Behavioral Health – www.TheNationalCouncil.org

National Council for Behavioral Health website can help you locate mental health and addictions treatment facilities in your community, use the “Find a provider” feature on the website.

National Council on Alcoholism and Dependence– www.ncadd.org

Provides information on local resources for getting help for a substance use concern and fact sheets.

National Eating Disorder Association– www.nationaleatingdisorders.org 

This site has stories of recovery from eating disorders, information about seeking treatment, and additional resources. 

National Empowerment Center – www.power2u.org

Provides a message of recovery, empowerment, hope, and healing for people living with mental health illness. 

National Institute of Mental Health – https://www.nimh.nih.gov

Provides a message of recovery, empowerment, hope, and healing for people living with mental health illness. 

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – www.niaaa.nih.gov

The national Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is the lead agency for US research on alcohol use disorder and health. 

National Institute on Drug Abuse– www.nida.nih.gov

Provides lines to information for parents, teens, health professionals, teachers, and others about drugs of all types. 

Mental Health America – https://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/mental-health-screening-tools

Provides a message of recovery, empowerment, hope, and healing for people living with mental health illness. 

Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation – www.ocfoundation.org

This site includes information about obsessive-compulsive disorder, including information about effective treatments. 

Overeaters Anonymous – www.oa.org

OA can help people struggling with compulsive eating and binge eating. 

Self-Help Group Clearinghouse – https://selfhelpgroups.org

Offers a database of 1,100 national, international, model, and online self-help support groups. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration– www.samhsa.gov 

SAMHSA has information about substance use disorder of all kinds. 

Suicide Prevention Resource Center – www.sprc.org

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center provides fact sheet and other resources on suicide by state and by population