May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Its intention is to help break the stigma of mental illness and encourage people to get the help they need. There are nearly 450 million people worldwide living with a mental illness. Two thirds of these people never seek treatment for it. Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder that you are not alone in this. 1 out of 5 people experience a form of mental illness at least once in their lifetime. Particularly now amid the coronavirus pandemic, everyone is facing challenges that can impact their mental health. We are here to say that there is nothing wrong with seeking help to manage it.
To aid and/or educate individuals and communities about it during this time, we have compiled a list of information and resources.
Mental Health Information for Disease Outbreaks
COVID-19: Managing Stress and Anxiety
This page from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides tips for coping with stress and anxiety. It includes information focused on parents, first responders, and people who have been released from quarantine.
COVID-19: Mental Health Considerations
The WHO Mental Health Department developed these mental health considerations for mental and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak.
When Home Becomes The Workplace: Mental Health And Remote Work
This is an article published in Forbes written by Garen Staglin, Co-founder and Chairman of One Mind at Work. It is about avoiding the common negative mental health effects of working from home.
Government
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services — Mental Health
This website, run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides governmental information about mental health. It is sourced from the Center for Disease Control, National Institute of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, Medline Plus, FindYouthInfo.gov and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This information is for the general public, health care providers, policymakers, schools and communities.
World Health Organization (WHO) — Project Atlas
The World Health Organization’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse has a Project Atlas. It compiles resources and information about mental health and neurology policies, prevalence, statistics, medicines, professionals, information systems and publications. Topics covered include mental health in emergencies, maternal and child mental health, neurology and public health, disorders management and suicide prevention. Information can be searched by region, country or worldwide.
Populations
For First Responders
List of Freebies for Nurses During the COVID-19 Crisis
An extensive list of free travel, goods and services including mental health and fitness for nurses!
Project N95, a volunteer organization, is the national COVID-19 clearinghouse for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other critical medical equipment. They are a rapid response non-profit organization.
The Emotional PPE Project connects healthcare workers in need with licensed mental health professionals who can help.
For Parents: Articles Providing Advice
How to Talk to Your Anxious Child or Teen About Coronavirus
How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids
Supporting Kids During the COVID-19 Crisis
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
Talking to Kids about COVID-19
For Seniors
The National Council on Aging promotes programs which help seniors to cope with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, addiction and more.
National Institute on Aging — Health Information
The National Institute of Health provides this online index of information, videos and training tools about senior health which includes mental health and wellness.
Older Adults & Isolation during COVID-19
For Domestic Violence Survivors
Information on COVID-19 for Survivors, Communities, and DV/SA Programs
Those who are surviving violence within their relationships and families may be experiencing increased isolation and danger caused by social distancing measures during the Coronavirus pandemic. Futures Without Violence has curated resources for survivors and communities on their site.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
For any victims and survivors who need support, call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233 for TTY. If you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.
For Military/Veterans
COVID-19 Resources for Veterans from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
MindWise — Military and Family Screenings
This is a site created by Screening for Mental Health and the Department of Defense. It allows military members and their families to take free, anonymous mental health or alcohol self-assessments. Completion of the assessment directs users to referral information for Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs services.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) — Veterans and Active Duty
The National Association on Mental Illness has a Veterans & Military Resource Center. It is home to online discussion groups, information about veteran mental illnesses and treatments. Information is provided about advocacy for active-duty members, returning veterans, veteran families, veterans in recovery, veterans looking for work, mental health providers, college faculty members and women veterans.
U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — Mental Health
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website hosts screening tools, a veteran’s crisis line and a guide to mental health conditions which often plague veterans.
MINORITY
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services — Office of Minority Health
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health website provides statistics, news and treatment information.
WOMEN
Office on Women’s Health — Mental Health Resources
The Office on Women’s Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides access to research, publications, Surgeon General Reports and general information for women’s mental health issues. This includes problems related to pregnancy and conception, menstruation, menopause, women veterans, suicide prevention and mental illnesses.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) — Women and Mental Health
The National Institutes of Health’s Women and Mental Health index contains information, research and publications regarding women’s mental health.
World Health Organization (WHO) — Gender and Women’s Mental Health
The World Health Organization website contains a section on global mental health as it relates to issues of gender and gender disparity.
YOUTH, TEENS, SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS
The Jed Foundation is an organization committed to the mental and emotional health of college students and preventing suicide among this population. The foundation runs several free online self-assessment and resource programs for students and campuses. It offers training tools for campus professionals to improve their mental health service offerings for their students.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services — Mental Health in Adolescents
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Adolescent Health offers information about adolescent mental health across states, adolescent mental health disorders and access to care.
U.S. Government — Youth Mental Health
This is a hub of government information regarding youth mental health issues, including substance abuse, bullying and homelessness.
UCLA — Center for Mental Health in Schools and Student Learning Support
The UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools created the School Mental Health Project. It is an online collection of tools, research, publications and resources for school practitioners and professionals.
This is a Jed Foundation project which provides a free, confidential online resource regarding emotional health to more than 1,500 colleges and universities.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) – Online Resources
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America raises public and professional awareness, promotes research advancement and provides referrals for children and adults with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorders, etc. The website provides information about these conditions, their treatment and resources for professionals.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance is a national peer-led organization run by those living with depression and bipolar disorder. It provides support groups, peer specialist training, wellness tools, research, brochures, publications and information for clinicians.
This is the website of the nonprofit advocacy organization Freedom from Fear. It contains research-based information and treatment referrals for anxiety and depression.
Hotlines
Text MHA to 741741 and you’ll be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line provides free, text-based support 24/7.
Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) provides crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including public health emergencies.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
This is a confidential, toll-free, 24-hour suicide prevention hotline. Call 1-800-273-TALK for counseling and local referrals.
Safe Horizon’s hotline for domestic violence victims, sexual assault victims and crime victims to receive 24/7 free crisis counseling.
A list of hotlines for teens facing issues, including bullying and abuse.
The Veterans Crisis Line provides confidential help for veterans and their families at 1-800-273-8255.
General Information About COVID-19 and Beyond
Coronavirus — COVID-19 -Provides basic COVID-19 information in various languages.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Hub from the CDC
Coronavisus (COVID-19) Situation Report from the World Health Organization (WHO)
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public
Fact Sheets on COVID-19 in Spanish and Other Languages
Mental Health America is a community-based network with 240 nationwide affiliates. It provides services such as counseling referrals, support and finding housing for the homeless.
This organization provides community-based mental health services for adults, especially those suffering from medical, social or substance-related problems.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The National Association of Mental Illness is the largest nationwide mental health advocacy organization with hundreds of state organizations, affiliates and volunteers. It is a hub for support groups, free educational resources, raising awareness and building community.
PsychCentral is an extensive annotated directory of mental health resources. It included general information, blogs, online communities, support groups, articles, quizzes and books.
This is the website for Psychology Today magazine. The magazine covers numerous topics within the realm of psychology written by experts practicing in the field.
Stop the Spread of COVID-19: Free Public Health Fliers in 30+ Languages
U.S. Government — Mental Health and Substance Abuse Resources
Here you will find the Mental Health page of the U.S. government’s web portal for federal resources and information.
This is an extensive but now exhaustive list where you can find Mental Health information and resources. If you know of one which we have missed, please let us know via the Comments section of this article.
Saving these because we may have to go under lockdown again in Florida (don’t even get me started). So many resrouces here I’ve not even heard of!