If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others call 911 or one of the national crisis resources below.
Mental Health First Aid Courses: Mental Health First Aid is a public education program that can help communities understand mental illnesses, seek timely intervention, and save lives. The core program, delivered to more than 1 million people across the country through a network of more than 12,000 instructors, has already saved lives and brought hope to many.
The Hope For Us Network: If you are looking for a community of folks who are focused on mental health education and suicide prevention, please check out The Hope For Us Network, a lived- experience coalition disrupting the highest risk factors for mental health crises.
They offer community, free education opportunities, and beautiful art. One of my all time favorite resources by far.
National Crisis Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1–800–273–TALK (1-800-273-8255)
This is a crisis hotline that can help with many issues, not just suicide. For example, anyone who feels sad, hopeless, or suicidal; family and friends who are concerned about a loved one; or anyone interested in mental health treatment referrals can call the Lifeline. Callers are connected with a professional nearby who will talk with them about what they are feeling or concerns for other family and friends. Call the toll-free Lifeline, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
Text “MHFA” to 741741
Available 24/7, 365 days a year, this organization helps people with mental health challenges by connecting callers with trained crisis volunteers who will provide confidential advice, support, and referrals if needed.
Call 866-488-7386 or Text “START” to 678678
Trained counselors available 24/7 to support youth who are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment free place to talk. Specializing in supporting the LGBTQI+ community.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline
Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
Finding a Behavioral Health Provider
The National Council for Behavioral Health
Search for organizations that are committed to providing mental health services to anyone in the community who needs it regardless of their ability to pay.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
SAMHSA provides information on mental health services and treatment centers through an online service locator. You can search by your location, whether or not they provide services for youth, payment options (private insurance, cash, or something else), languages spoken, etc.
The Breathe Network: The Breathe Network connects survivors of sexual violence with trauma-informed, sliding-scale, holistic healing arts practitioners. We provide training and education for healing arts practitioners in understanding the impacts of sexual violence and how to provide trauma-informed care within their practice.
Affordable Therapy Options Chicago: A generous resource was kind enough to help me find the following affordable therapy options in Chicago. If you are not located in Illinois, and are having a hard time finding affordable therapy, please look at the above resources.
1. U.I.C has a graduate clinic, the price is based on income.
2.. The Awakening Center. They have a list of very affordable sliding scale spots. However, there is sometimes a waiting list.
3. Thrive Counseling Services: Located in Oak Park, they charge on a case by case basis. You can give them a call following this link, and see what options are available to you