What are my options for getting support for my mental health?
On this page you'll find resources for finding a therapist, navigating health insurance, help and hotlines, patient rights, and other options for supporting our mental health
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Asian Mental Health Collective
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Latinx Therapy
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Therapy for Black Men
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Therapy for Black Women
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Psychology Today
Need information about health insurance?
Using insurance can be difficult and confusing. You can visit the National Mental Health Association website for more information on navigating insurance.
Hotlines and Helplines
Everyone struggles sometimes, and sometimes we need immediate support. Especially in a crisis. These hot and helplines are free, confidential support services for people experiencing a wide range of challenges. Many are available 24/7 and offer multiple languages.
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Offers support with crisis counseling, reporting negative police interaction, and is a referral source for BIPOC. Also works to decrease stigma around mental health in BIPOC communities. To be connected to support, call or text 1 (800) 604-5841. For more information, visit https://www.callblackline.com/
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Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone experiencing a crisis. For English, text MHA to 741741, and for Spanish text AYUDA to 741741 to connect to a trained Crisis Counselor. Visit https://www.crisistextline.org/ for more info.
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Provides a safe space where callers can get support with issues related to gender and sexuality. Available 24/7. Call 888-843-4564 to be connected. Their website also has a chat option. Visit https://www.lgbthotline.org/ for more info.
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Provides support for people in distress, suicide prevention, and crisis resources. Available 24/7. To connect with support, call or text 988. Available in Spanish.
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Crisis intervention and information and referral service for anyone seeking help for mental health and/or substance misuse concerns, crisis intervention, and referrals. Available 24/7 in 200+ languages. Call 1-888-692-9355, text “WELL” to 65173. A chat option is also available on their website. Visit https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/. for more info.
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Available to anyone experiencing emotional distress from natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text 24/7 to be connected to a trained counselor. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text 1-800-985-5990. Visit disasterdistress.samhsa.gov for more info.
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Organization supporting mental health of young people of color. Promotes awareness of and access to mental health care for young BIPOC. Text STEVE to 741741 to be connected to a culturally trained counselor. Text 24/7 https://www.stevefund.org
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Culturally-appropriate domestic violence and dating violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Call 1-844-762-8483 to be connected to support. The hotline is available 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. For more information visit https://strongheartshelpline.org/
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Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support service operated by trans people, for trans and questioning people. Dial 877-565-8860 (press 2 for Spanish) to be connected to a trans or non-binary peer operator. The lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information visit https://www.translifeline.org/hotline
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The Trevor Project provides information & support to LGBTQ+ young people, 7 days a week, 24 hours. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text Text ‘START’ to 678-678 to be connected to a trained counselor. Or chat on their website. Visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ for more information.
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Available for people experiencing abuse and need support. To connect with an advocate, call 1-800-799-7233, or text LOVEIS to 22522. A chat feature is also available on their website. Available 24/7. Visit thehotline.org for more information.
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SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
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Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders. Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, or text 838255. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
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SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems. https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov.
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HRSA Find a Health Center App helps find federally-funded health centers that care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income. https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
New York State Office of Mental Health List of Rights for Inpatients and Outpatients
It's important to know your rights around mental health, especially if you are struggling with your mental health. New York’s Office of Mental Health has a list of rights for people inpatient and outpatient care.
Therapy is just one option for improving mental health. Many people find that doing art, using mindfulness, having a relationship with God, being part of a faith community, listening to music, and journaling are helpful. Caring for your physical health is also important. Below are a few resources for art and mindfulness
What are my other options for supporting my mental health?
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Art can positively impact mental health by providing an outlet for self-expression, stress, and increasing self-awareness. Creating art can help us process and release emotions, and can feel calming. Below are a few art resources.
Color Me Hopeful Coloring Book -The New York State Office of Mental worked with New York Artists experiencing mental illness to create a coloring book, Color Me Hopeful. https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/booklets/coloring-book.pdf
Color New York State-The York Department of Economic Development has created coloring pages of New York State land marks.
https://www.iloveny.com/blog/post/new-coloring-pages-let-you-color-new-york-state/
NYC Work Well-NYC Work Well has created a coloring book of uplifting messages to promote self-care. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/olr/downloads/pdf/wellness/bewellcoloringbook.pdf
Free Arts NYC-An organization that empowers youth from underserved communities through art and mentoring programs to develop their creativity, confidence, and skills to succeed. https://freeartsnyc.org
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Mindfulness is a practice that's about being fully present, and aware of the here and now without judgment. It can benefit mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, improving emotional control, and enhancing well-being. Mindfulness is practiced in many religious and spiritual traditions but can be practiced by anyone. The resources below have more information and explain ways to practice.
Mindful.org- Article that gives an overview of mindfulness and ways to practice it.
https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/
New York Insight Meditation Center- This center offers a variety of programs including talks, weekly groups, courses, and retreats. https://www.nyimc.org/
Mindfulness Resource Guide- Resource created by a mindfulness meditation group at the Danville Correctional Center in Illinois. Includes articles, talks, and resources.
https://educationjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BIPOC-Meditation-Resource-Guide-Electronic.pdf
Insight Timer- This app and website feature over 160,000 free guided meditations and talks led by renowned teachers. Available for IOS and Android.
Smiling Mind- This mobile app was designed by psychologists and educators to make mindfulness accessible to everyone. Available for IOS and Android.
How can I fight stigma?
We’re glad that you’re concerned about mental health stigma and are looking for ways to combat it! It helps to remember that stigma comes from a lack of awareness, misunderstandings, and fear. Learning more about mental health plays an important role. It may be especially helpful to learn about the most common mental health concerns. You could look out for webinars on mental health. And, hearing from people who experience mental illness can be powerful. Learning helps us uncover and challenge our own stigmas and enables us to share information and have conversations with others. The resources below may be helpful for learning more:
NAMI Personal Stories - Hearing from people with lived mental illness experience is the most powerful way to combat stigma. More info
Mental Health Association, New York State - New York’s Mental Health Association offers a free mental health 101 course, along with other resources. More info
NAMI Mental Health Conditions - Article with Information about some of the most common mental illnesses and what they might look like. More info