Accessing mental health resources
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You are Not Alone: Free Mental Health Resources

By Sarah Sumner

May is Mental Health Awareness month, so we wanted to take the opportunity to encourage the use of psychological resources. Mental health is a serious and sensitive topic affecting some of our closest friends and neighbors. Prior to the 2020 pandemic, 47.1 million (19%) U.S. Americans were dealing with a mental health issue according to the 2021 State of Mental Health in America report. That’s 1.5 million more people than the previous year.1

From dealing with COVID, illness and social distancing, to working from home and homeschooling, to making ends meet because of job loss, we have all in some way been put through the ringer. So of course, these experiences will affect our mental health.

Fortunately, new ground is being forged to offer mental health services to those who are in need, even if you don’t have health insurance. Here are some mental health resources and information to aid you in your journey.

Immediate danger? Call 911

If you or someone you know is in extreme crisis, call 911 right away or go to a hospital emergency department. You can also utilize the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish.

Here are some signs of a mental health crisis.2

  • Unbearable emotional turmoil, guilt or shame
  • Extreme rage
  • Social isolation
  • Out-of-control actions
  • Paranoia
  • Abusive behavior
  • Suicidal thoughts or attempts
  • Saving up pills or alcohol
  • Increase in addictive actions such as drinking or drugs

What is a mental health disorder?

Rooted in fear and misinterpretations, society has long stigmatized mental illness. Mental health issues are not a person’s fault. But feeling blamed for their situations can cause them to avoid seeking help for years, or maybe at all. Typically, it takes 11 years for a person to seek help once they realize their symptoms.3

Mental illness is as much of a medical problem as diabetes, and it should be taken seriously. It can affect changes in emotions, reasoning, physical state and behavior. Problems can range from mild to severe. Mental health problems can happen to anyone, at any age, from celebrities and royalty to factory workers, teachers, and cashiers, to even kids and parents.4 Anybody could need help to keep their mental health stable.

The following are some classic signs of mental illness.5

  • Feelings of sadness for more than two weeks
  • Depression
  • Hopelessness
  • Attempts to harm yourself in any way
  • Overwhelming fear for no rational reason
  • Anxiety
  • Substantial weight loss or gain
  • Fears or worries that keep you from normal, daily activities
  • Hallucinations
  • Problems with concentration

Free mental health services

Psychological illnesses are common in our society. In fact, one in five U.S. adults experience mental health problems each year. And 7.7 million kids in the U.S., aged six to 17 years old, have dealt with a mental illness.6 Please do not be ashamed. And seek help if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. Look to the following resources for more support.

Helplines

If you need to express your feelings, there are several places to find a trustworthy ear. You can talk, text, or chat online.

Phone option

Text option

Phone & text options

Online chat option

Organizations

Several organizations offer free information and guidance.

U.S. Government

Look to these government resources for mental health education and services.

Coping exercises

Sometimes it’s easy to get overcome by daily stressors. Take time to decompress, practice self-care, and learn beneficial coping skills. We need to remember to be kind to number one: ourselves.

  • Practice deep, belly breathing
  • Eat healthfully
  • Exercise (even a 20 minute walk counts!)
  • Stretch
  • Take advantage of the sunshine
  • Get quality sleep
  • Communicate with loved ones
  • Avoid excessive alcohol

Call your doctor

If you find it hard to keep stress levels low, battle with depression, or struggle with anxiety (just to name a few) and have a regular primary doctor, you may take the first steps to visit with him or her. You don’t always have to make an appointment.

If you are not in immediate danger, communicate with your health care professional.

  • Give them a call and leave a message for the nurse.
  • Explain your situation to see what free advice they can give over the phone.
  • If they want to see you in person, please take that next step.

Employee Assistance Program

If you’re currently employed, start a conversation with your Human Resources department to find out if they offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). An EAP may offer lots of useful benefits including help with mental health issues, such as:

  • Parenting resources
  • Services for mental health problems
  • Tools for coping

You are not alone

Whether you feel open to sharing your feelings, need help understanding why you feel the way you do, or want to help someone close to you who is struggling, there are free mental health resources available to you. Please do not hesitate to contact any of these services.

Sources:

  1. Staff. (2020, October 20). 2021 State Of Mental Health In America. Retrieved from: https://mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america 
  2. Bienenstock, J. DNP, RN-BC. (2018, June 20). How to Recognize a Mental Health Crisis and Intervene. Retrieved from: [https://carrierclinic.org/2018/06/20/how-to-recognize-a-mental-health-crisis-and-intervene/]https://carrierclinic.org/2018/06/20/how-to-recognize-a-mental-health-crisis-and-intervene/(http://) 
  3. Staff. (2021, March). Mental Health Care Matters. Retrieved from: https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Infographics/NAMI_MentalHealthCareMatters_2020_FINAL.pdf 
  4. Parekh, R. M.D., M.P.H. (2018, August). What Is Mental Illness? Retrieved from: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness 
  5. Staff. (2021, March). Common Warning Signs of Mental Illness. Retrieved from: https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Infographics/NAMI-Warning-Signs-FINAL.pdf 
  6. Staff. (2021, March). Mental Health By the Numbers. Retrieved from: https://www.nami.org/mhstats 
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Sarah Sumner
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