Are you struggling with your mental health and wondering where to turn for help? Then this blog is for you! We’re going to talk about 5 mental health organizations, who they are, how they provide support and how you can seek help.
1. NAMI
Who They Are: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. Their mission? To help those affected by mental illness find the support and resources they need.
How They Provide Support: From advocacy to education, NAMI works tirelessly to fight mental health stigma and ensure that people with mental illnesses and their families have access to the support, knowledge and resources they need.
How to Seek Help: NAMI also provides information about mental illness for different demographics, has its own help call line and offers educational classes.
2. Stamp Out Stigma
Who They Are: Stamp Out Stigma is the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) initiative to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness and substance misuse. How? By challenging each and every person to start and/or engage in conversations about mental health and addiction.
How They Provide Support: Stamp Out Stigma enables people to get involved in conversations about mental health or start a dialogue on their own. You can get involved by taking their pledge or sharing your story.
How to Seek Help: Sometimes reading messages of support or hearing someone else’s story can help in your own mental health journey. On Stamp Out Stigma’s website, you can find different videos about people who have a mental illness. They also provide resources, like a “Person-Centric Language Guide” to help people properly write about mental health.
3. National Council for Behavioral Health
Who They Are: National Council for Behavioral Health is the mecca for America’s health care organizations that focus on mental health and addiction. One of their key accomplishments is the creation of Mental Health First Aid USA , an 8-hour course about identifying, understanding and responding to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Since its launch, more than 1 million Americans have been trained.
How They Provide Support: Whether you’re looking for information on bipolar disorder or addictions, you can find it on the National Council for Behavioral Health’s website. They also host a number of events and trainings that foster innovation in the healthcare space.
How to Seek Help: While this organization is more for health professionals, it is also a resource for people with mental health issues looking for information.
4. Mental Health America
Who They Are: Mental Health America (MHA) is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of people experiencing mental illness. Their goal? To promote the overall mental health of all Americans. Their work is guided by the Before Stage 4 philosophy; that mental health conditions should be treated before they reach a critical point.
How They Provide Support: From education and outreach to policy and advocacy, MHA offers a number of different programs with the goal of supporting everyone who may be struggling with their mental health. To learn more about mental health, search through their directory information or get involved through volunteering!
How to Seek Help: If you’re unsure of the status of your mental health, MHA offers mental health screening tests. The “Find Help” page touches on insurance, medical treatment and long-term health information and resources.
5. The Trevor Project
Who They Are: The Trevor Project is a national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth.
How They Provide Support: The Trevor Project offers trainings and workshops for people who work with LGBTQ youth. The Lifeguard workshop is a free online learning module that encompasses videos, curriculum and teacher resources for middle and high school classrooms. The Trevor Project’s Trainings for Professionals include in-person Ally and CARE trainings that help counselors, educators, administrators, school nurses and social workers discuss LGBTQ-competent suicide prevention.
How to Seek Help: They provide immediate support through TrevorChat, TrevorText and TrevorLifeline. The TrevorLifeline (866-488-7386) is a 24/7, 365 service for LGBTQ youth thinking about suicide.
Going forward
These are just a few of the many mental health organizations out there. Hopefully, this is a helpful start to your search for resources and help.
Looking to support the mental health of your friends and family? Learn how to become a mental health advocate here.
