Mental health awareness is SO important and I really cannot stress that enough. Haven’t we all been affected by it, or know someone who has?
I struggled horribly for years with depression and anxiety – it was only in the last three-ish years that I really started developing coping mechanisms (which are freaking awesome btw I never knew like WOW) but before that, I was pretty much flapping in the wind.
Below I’ve listed the four best resources I’ve found thus far for those dealing with a crisis! (I’ll get into more self-care-ish stuff later, but important stuff first)
The biggest piece of advice anyone can give you is –
Never be ashamed to reach out for help.
That takes strength. You are important, your emotions are valid, and you deserve to feel good. Everyone does.
Mental Health Resources
1) First + Foremost –
If you or someone you know is suicidal or it’s an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. I can’t stress that enough…don’t take chances.
2) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline –
You can always call 1-800-273-8255, which is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. They’re available 24/7 and trained to help in situations like these.
If it’s not an emergency, and you’re safe, then seeing your PCP for a referral to a psychologist is a great place to start otherwise.
3) NAMI
You can also text NAMI to 741741 if phone calls aren’t your thing. This crisis line is also open 24/7.
4) Local Resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness
This site offers help finding resources local to you, like support groups. I often say that a support group is key to recovery; regardless whether that support comes from strangers in a group or your immediate family, find yours.
As always, I am not a doctor, and I am not here to give medical advice or diagnose your mental illness in the comments. That would be ridiculous. Go see a professional and get the help you deserve. These are merely resources I’ve gathered from the web, to try and make it easier for you to find help.
Beyond getting help, the best advice is getting that help from a licensed professional, and making your mental health a priority.
I hope you find these resources helpful. Just know, no matter what you’re going through, you can get through it.
