Pharmacists are popularly known for helping patients control and improve various conditions, disease states, and other related ongoings through medication-based treatments alone.
However, as pharmacists, it is also our duty to help ensure that patients are getting the care they need from a more holistic approach. That is, an approach that combines medications, social-based resources, and lifestyle interventions when needed.
Almost all conditions and disease states require this multi-pronged approach. Mental health conditions, as diverse in nature as they are, are no exception. Be it centric to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc., social help and counseling services are crucial for most patients.
No matter if a patient needs acute mental health counseling for a crisis or if they need ongoing mental health services for maintenance purposes, there are a wide variety of resources available that everybody can access and utilize.
This article discusses a sampling of nine free mental health resources. Anybody can use these resources no matter their financial state, insurance coverage status or lack thereof, or any other status.
Important – it does not require an official diagnosis of a mental health condition to utilize the below resources. Everybody’s mental health can exist on a continuum and in the moments where mental health may need some support, confidential and private assistance can be obtained through the resources listed below.
The Trevor Project
An organization first founded in 1998, The Trevor Project is described as a “leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25,” according to its website.
The Trevor Project has five main avenues to support individuals who may benefit from their services: TrevorLifeline (suicide prevention phone service), TrevorText (confidential text messaging with a counselor), TrevorChat (confidential instant messaging with a counselor), TrevorSpace (peer-to-peer social platform for LGBTQ young people aged 13-24 years), and Trevor Support Center (directory of FAQs and other resources).
TrevorLifeline is available by calling 1 (866) 488-7386 and TrevorText is also available by texting ‘START’ to 678-678.
Crisis Text Line
Founded in 2013, the Crisis Text Line is a free service available to anyone going through a crisis, no matter how mild or severe the circumstance may be.
Although not an all-inclusive list, the Crisis Text Line can help particularly with concerns related to anxiety, suicide, depression, eating disorders, emotional abuse, self-harm, loneliness, and mental health complications of COVID-19.
For individuals in the United States or Canada, text ‘HOME’ to 741-741 to get started. For individuals in other countries, more information is available on the Crisis Text Line website.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Launched in 2005, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) is a free phone-based resource that is available at all hours of the day. This line can be used by anyone experiencing emotional distress of any form or of any severity. Lifeline is administered by Vibrant Emotional Health.
As an additional service of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Lifeline Crisis Chat can be utilized if an online platform is preferred in lieu of a phone call.
Office of Minority Health Resource Center
The Office of Minority Health (OMH), a subsidiary organization of the US Department of Health and Human Services HHS), is a resource that can inform individuals of statistics, news, and treatment-related information for individuals of minority background living in the United States.
Although this resource should not be utilized to help with an immediate mental health crisis, it can be used by patients and healthcare professionals alike to obtain more information about mental health conditions related to individuals of minority background.
OMH can be contacted via phone (1-800-444-6472) or email (info@minorityhealth.hhs.gov).
Safe Horizon
Safe Horizon is a nonprofit organization that helps with the treatment and referral of individuals who have fallen victim to domestic violence, child abuse, rape, assault, human trafficking, stalking, homelessness, or other types of abuse.
Safe Horizon offers a 24-hour hotline (1-800-621-4673) and there is also an online chat feature available called SafeChat.
The Recovery Village
The Recovery Village is an organization that can help with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health conditions. Boasting both online resources and a number of adult and specialty rehab centers in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Washington, this organization can help individuals on the path to recovery from alcohol and drug abuse and/or misuse.
Specifically, alcohol detox and alcohol treatment resources are available. Additionally, drug addiction treatments are available to help with addictions to benzodiazepines, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, meth, and/or prescription opioids.
Just like any other medical condition, there are a variety of severities of an addiction that a patient may need help with. Levels of care available through this organization include drug detox, medical detox, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, dual diagnosis, aftercare, and telehealth/teletherapy services.
Many online resources are available as well, including teen drug abuse facts, a sobriety calculator, a variety of assessment tools, LGBTQ+ substance abuse resources, employer resources, college student resources, active military duty resources, veteran’s resources, domestic violence resources, etc.
For more information, please call +1 (866) 552-0665.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, commonly abbreviated SAMHSA, is a subsidiary organization of the US HHS.
SAMHSA is an all-encompassing, government-based resource that can direct you or someone else for in-person treatment when it is needed. SAMHSA has a general tool to use to be able to find a treatment center for general mental health conditions, but it also has specific tools such as a substance use treatment locator, a behavioral health treatment locator, a buprenorphine practitioner & treatment locator, an early serious mental illness treatment locator, an opioid treatment program (OTP) directory, a veteran’s crisis line, a disaster distress helpline (mentioned below), etc.
If you or someone you know needs help and you do not know where to begin, SAMHSA could be an ideal place to start.
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline is similar to the above-mentioned resources, but it commands a unique avenue. According to its website, it is “a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week and free resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling and support in dealing with the traumatic effects of a natural or human-caused disaster”.
For example, if you or someone you know is experiencing negative mental health due to COVID-19 or a weather event, for example, this resource can help.
Like the image above begins to describe, call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to get connected with the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Founded in 1979, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) identifies itself as “the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.”
NAMI offers a variety of different resources. For immediate assistance in the instance of a mental health crisis, “NAMI” can be texted to 741-741 or the NAMI HelpLine can be accessed by calling 1-800-950-NAMI. Of note, this resource is linked with the Crisis Text Line mentioned above.
For mental health situations outside of the crisis setting, NAMI also offers other resources that can be accessed here. Examples of these resources include online discussion groups, support groups, video resources, and various other mental health education resources.
NAMI also offers state and local resources and these services vary by geography. NAMI also offers advocacy-based resources for those that are interested in being an advocate for mental health and wellness.
The National Council for Behavioral Health
The National Council for Behavioral Health, commonly referred to as simply the National Council, is a nonprofit organization that acts as a unifying body that connects mental health organizations in the United States.
Although not a resource that directly offers assistance for imminent mental health crises, it is a resource that can be used by everyday individuals and healthcare practitioners alike to learn more about how to be a mental health advocate. One of its signature member organizations, Mental Health First Aid USA, is a resource that can be used to teach everyday individuals how to help others cope with negative mental health and where to find help.
Additionally, the National Council offers copious amounts of learning materials about mental health-related conditions. Once the National Council’s website is accessed, the tab titled “Topics A-Z” can be leveraged to learn more about a variety of different mental health-related conditions.
By being more informed about mental health conditions and how to access help in a general sense, it is helpful for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and mental health advocates alike.
Interested in learning about more other mental health resources that can be utilized? Access this list from our friends over at Social Work License Map.
“Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.”
Lisa Olivera
Disclaimer – this list is not an all-encompassing list of mental health services available.
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