Check out these resources to learn more about therapy, symptoms of mental illness, and how to seek help, online or in person.
American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA is the professional organization representing psychologists from across the country. Its site includes tips on emotional health, depression, PTSD and addictions, and provides a Psychologist Locator, which connects Americans to therapists based on their zip code. The APA also lists several crisis hotlines and resources for confidential telephone counseling.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI’s website includes blogs and articles on topics like warning signs of mental illness, common mental health conditions, treatment options, and how to find treatment. It also has a help line that’s staffed Monday to Friday until 10 p.m., which provides advice on what to do in an emergency and how to navigate a mental health crisis. You can contact the help line through chat, phone, or email.
The MHA says it’s dedicated to promoting mental health and preventing mental illness through education, research and advocacy work. Its website includes resources for Americans, such as mental health screening tools, advice on mental health treatment options, and how to make the most of your therapy sessions. It’s also connected to more than 200 community-based mental health organizations, including support groups for various mental illnesses.
American Counseling Association (ACA)
Whether you’re encountering feelings of depression, bereavement, grief and loss, or trauma, the ACA provides a list of mental health resources on its website. It has a Therapy Directory maintained by Psychology Today, which can help you find a counselor based on your zip code and whether you’re looking for a therapist of a particular gender, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics.
If you’re seeking a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color) therapist, experts recommend Innopsych, which is a database that helps users filter their therapists according to ethnicity. Its mission is to “change the face and feel of therapy” by making therapists of color more visible in the community, and to make it faster and easier for people of color to match with a therapist of color. You can also seek referrals from organizations like the Association of Black Psychologists, the Black Mental Health Alliance, which maintains a directory of African American psychiatrists, the Asian Mental Health Collective, or the Hispanic Access Foundation.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
The ADAA has a wealth of resources for Americans, including explainers on depression, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, PTSD, and BPD. It also has a library of educational resources like blog posts, videos, podcasts, and webinars to help everyday Americans better understand their symptoms and treatment options.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
The DBSA provides symptom screening tools for depression and anxiety in adults and adolescents. It also has resources on treatment options, how to find a healthcare provider, and how to find local and online support groups. If you have a loved one living with a mental illness, it has articles on how to help family members, caregivers and friends going through a difficult time.
This initiative aims to normalize conversations about mental health, and it helps people learn more about feelings and experiences such as loneliness, hopelessness, and stress. It was launched by MTV Entertainment Group in partnership with the Trevor Project, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, NAMI, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and others.
If you are actively in crisis and need immediate support, call 911. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, or text 741-741 to reach a trainer counselor with Crisis Text Line.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/therapy-for-mental-health-what-type-is-right-for-you-how-to-find-a-therapist-how-to-afford-it-and-more/