Where to Turn If You Have Mental Health Concerns

And while family and friends may provide everyday support, they can’t help with every issue. Even if your support system is good, your friends and family likely aren’t professionally trained to address mental health concerns, says Marlisse Testa, a licensed mental health counselor in Boca Raton, Florida. “Or you simply may not want them to know your concerns for one reason or another. Professionals can help you get to the place you want to be,” she says.

Unfortunately, some people are reluctant to seek help for their mental health concerns. Often, that’s because of stigma or shame when a person can’t “fix” what’s wrong by themselves, says Andrew Rosen, Ph.D., a board-certified psychologist and the founder and clinical director of the Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders, in Delray Beach, Florida.

“When a person is experiencing psychological issues, it is not unusual to have a lack of clarity, and emotions can cloud logic,” Rosen says. “Sometimes, what is normally easy to see is very unclear when one is depressed or anxiety-ridden.”

So, we encourage you to seek help anytime you notice changes in your day-to-day functioning or otherwise want some support.

If you’re looking for a therapist, there are many ways to locate a treatment provider, Katz says. Besides recommendations from your primary care provider, a friend, or clergy, you can look online to find professional organizations or local mental health organizations. Many of these resources can not only help you find a therapist but also help connect you with crisis counselors, others who are going through similar experiences, or information that can help you understand or get through trying times.

Resources for Mental Health Concerns

If you’re unsure where to begin or how to decide which mental health resources might be best, take inventory of your needs and consider what may be right for you. Remember that no one resource can help everyone, and you may need to search until you find one that suits you.

“The sooner you get yourself started [on the path to better mental health], the faster you will be on the mend to healthy mindsets, strategies, and tools to getting yourself happy, confident, and ready to welcome each new day with a brighter outlook,” Testa says.

You may start by reaching out to one or more of the following mental health resources and organizations for support.

For Depression, Stress, and/or Anxiety

• Anxiety & Depression Association of America: Under the Find Help tab, the ADAA provides a wealth of information on finding a therapist, choosing the right type of therapy for you, online communities of support, evidence-based mental health apps, and more. The site also has additional support resources that you can browse by demographic or condition.
• Families for Depression Awareness: The FFDA offers support to families and caregivers of people with depression and bipolar disorder. It provides a variety of information in the form of webinars, videos, workshops, publications, panel discussions, and a blog of families’ stories.
• Mental Health America: MHA’s website offers mental wellness tools such as mental health screeners, worksheets, and information on where to find therapy. It also offers a peer support network that can help combat loneliness in self-directed care.

For Sleep Issues

• American Sleep Association: Here, you can find out what issues may be affecting your sleep and then learn about resources (like sleep centers, hospitals, and informational resources) that may be able to help with these issues.

If You Identify as Part of the LGBTQ+ Community

• LGBT National Help Center: This resource has free and confidential hotlines, online chat programs, and email services where people of any age can connect with volunteers from the LGBTQ+ community to discuss “coming-out issues, safer-sex information, school bullying, family concerns, relationship problems, and a lot more.” You can also access its database of over 17,000 resources, such as community centers near you.
• National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network: The NQTTCN offers a directory of more than 145 psychotherapists around the country who identify as queer and/or trans people of color (QTPoC). Use the network’s Mental Health Directory to help you find mental health practitioners near you.
• The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project, which focuses on crisis prevention in LGBTQ+ youth, has a lifeline that can connect you with a counselor through chat, text, or phone. Reach out to a counselor if you’re struggling with suicidal ideation or loneliness, and find answers and information surrounding mental health and sexuality or identity. There’s also information if you’re looking for how to help someone else in need.

If You Identify as Part of the BIPOC/AAPI Communities

• Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective: You can use BEAM’s resources—like a directory of Black therapists searchable by state, specialty, and experience—for help that’s centered on Black healing. BEAM also offers a variety of mental wellness tools such as journal prompts, mental health education, videos, and peer support tools. If you’re in distress, the site’s Get Help Now tab can help connect you with hotlines and mobile crisis units.
• Latinx Therapists Action Network: LTAN has an online database of Latinx therapists that's searchable by specialties such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. Plus, its site and YouTube page offer Spanish-language videos from mental health professionals on various topics.
• Asian Mental Health Collective: The AMHC website can help you find a culturally competent therapist, learn about community events, read others’ stories on the community blog, and even find financial support for therapy, if you qualify.
• National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association: NAAPIMHA strives to raise awareness of the role of mental health in an individual’s health and well‑being, especially in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities throughout the United States. Learn how you can get involved in your communities and around the country. Plus, find resources for mental health services in all 50 states.
• South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network: SAMHIN addresses the mental health needs of the South Asian community in the United States. Get answers to your questions about mental illness and treatment from their mental health support programs, which include divorce support groups, suicide survivor support groups, youth support groups, community events, and more.

For Addiction and Substance Use

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a “free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service” for people and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. You can call 800-662-4357 (800-662-HELP) to speak with someone in English or Spanish. The website can also help you locate medical and behavioral health treatment centers near you.
• FindTreatment.gov: You can enter your ZIP code into SAMHSA’s treatment services locator to find treatment providers near you. You can even search by type of treatments and medication availability.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse: Education is knowledge. NIDA provides the latest information about research on substance use disorders.

For Grief

• Dougy Center: This resource provides grief support to children, teens, and adults of all ages. Find information and other support in English and Spanish. This organization also provides a worldwide directory of grief support centers so you can find one near you.
• Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors: The Alliance of Hope provides online healing support and other services for people who are coping with loss due to suicide. Turn to them anytime; their online forum operates like a 24/7 support group.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors: TAPS provides care to those grieving the death of a military loved one. Connect to grief resources at no cost to you if you’re a surviving loved one.

For Eating Disorders

• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders: If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, disordered eating, and body image issues, you can find free support services at ANAD. In addition to searching their treatment provider directory, you can access their hotline, find a peer support coach, or search for a recovery mentor.
• National Eating Disorders Association: Chat, call, and text NEDA for support, resources, and treatment options. A short, confidential screening can help you discover whether you or a loved one may need help for an eating disorder.
• Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders: If you’re a parent, F.E.A.S.T. can help you understand your child’s eating disorder, get them treatment, and help them recover—look to them for guides, forums, webinars, events, and more.

For Other Mental Health Needs and Concerns

• Postpartum Support International: More than 400 PSI volunteers provide support, information, and encouragement to parents and families who need mental health support during and after pregnancy or pregnancy loss. You can get connected with local resources and providers through the organization’s website.
• National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder: The NEABPD webinar series can help teach you skills for understanding and helping a loved one who has borderline personality disorder (BPD). In addition to its own media library, this organization can also point you to a host of other BPD resources.
• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: This resource can help you find a CHADD chapter near you, which can provide local resources and support groups for ADHD. You can also find an ADHD centers directory and learn more about ADHD on their website.
• International OCD Foundation: You can search this resource’s directory for therapists, clinics, support groups, and other organizations in your area that center on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders.

For Crisis and Suicide Prevention

• Crisis Text Line: If you’re in a crisis, text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor anytime, 24/7.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, this resource connects people in distress with 24/7, free, confidential support. Just call 988 from anywhere in the United States, or text the service’s Lifeline Chat. The website also has prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
• The Jed Foundation: JED’s mental health resource center can help teens and young adults manage their feelings through emotional challenges to help prevent suicide. You can check this resource for self-care tools, help for yourself and a loved one, and information on mental health conditions.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: This resource can provide information and help whether you’re having thoughts of suicide, you’ve lost somone to suicide, you’re worried about someone else’s emotional or physical safety, or you’ve survived a suicide attempt. You can also find a therapist, or you can connect with local AFSP chapters where you can hear experiences from people in your local community whose lives have been impacted by suicide.

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