Mental Health Resources

Before you begin

It can be hard to find the information you need during distress or when mental health issues overwhelm you. Always know you are not alone, and many people are going through similar situations.

Below are some resources to find help for yourself or a loved one. If you want to support a loved one, please be aware that you might need help for yourself first. Finding professional help or a support group can help you cope and find the information you need.

If you are feeling overwhelmed

“988” Mental health & Crisis Hotline is 24hrs

This new three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people who are suicidal or in any other mental health crisis to a trained mental health professional.

The primary goal of the new number is to make it easier for people to call for help. However, lawmakers and mental health advocates also see this launch as an opportunity to transform the mental health care system and make care accessible everywhere in the United States.

The 988 lifelines will connect people to the network of more than 200 local crisis call centers around the country. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 10-digit number — 1-800-273-8255 — will remain active, but calls will be routed to 988.

People who call or text the number will be connected to a trained counselor at a crisis center closest to them. If a local crisis center is too busy to respond immediately, the call gets routed to one of 16 backup centers around the country.

Finding Help

Tips on Finding a therapist on a small budget

Everyone needs help dealing with their mental health; it is challenging when you don’t have healthcare coverage. Unfortunately, 31.6 million Americans don’t have it. The struggle becomes exponentially harder and we see the results of increased suicides and addiction over the Covid years.

Most people are unaware that some therapists will work with someone on a sliding scale or even provide weekly pro-bono sessions. However, everyone deserves help, and you can find information here.

Where Can You Find Therapy for Reduced Rates?

If you’re not finding private-practice therapists offering sliding-scale rates you can afford, think outside the box. You can often find therapy for less at places you wouldn’t have even thought to look for a therapist, such as primary care clinics, local colleges or universities, or places of worship. For more information, you can read our articles about:

1) Community counseling agencies

Community counseling agencies are the hidden gems of mental health care in America. Founded to serve a noble mission, they have made it possible for millions of Americans to get affordable mental health care while living in their home communities.

2) The public mental health system

The public mental health system is a network of mental health agencies and professionals that provide mental health services to eligible people regardless of their ability to pay.

3) Integrated primary care clinics

Community health centers have been around since 1965 and got a boost from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. They were founded as part of the “War on Poverty,” Their goal is to make high-quality healthcare available to people who normally couldn’t afford it or find it close to where they live.

4) University counseling clinics

In all cases, university counseling clinics consider your willingness to work with a student as part of the value exchange. You accept being part of the student’s learning process in exchange for paying a low rate to get close attention and help from an excellent clinical team.

5) Faith-based counseling centers

One of the best-kept secrets in the therapy world is that most faith-based counseling centers don't require you to be a member of the same religion as the center. You don't need to be religious at all. Their services are available to everyone, and they usually won't even talk to you about religion unless you want them to.

6) Employee assistance programs

The goal of any EAP service offered is to make it easier for you, the employee, to get the help you need to do your job well. Your employer hopes you will use the EAP to get help with a tricky issue that might otherwise cause you to perform poorly at work, miss days, or even quit entirely.

How do we negotiate a lower rate?

The highest rates you’ll pay for therapy are too independent therapists, especially those who don’t accept insurance. So, we rarely say this is the most affordable route. However, there are ways to get affordable therapy from a private practice therapist. Many people get incredible, budget-priced therapy from private practice therapists who advertise high fees. How do these lucky clients do that? They go to that therapist and negotiate a lower rate.

Private-practice therapists often, but not always, offer sliding scales. To find the ones who do, you can:

1)

Go to Psychology Today to search for therapists in your area, and use search filters to limit your results to therapists who offer a sliding scale.

2)

Use a search engine to search for “therapists in [your town or city] sliding scale.” (You may get better results if you don’t put quotes around the first part but put quotes around “sliding scale.”)

3)

Search the OpenCounseling affordable counseling database to look for providers in your area offering reduced fees for therapy. Helping people find affordable therapists is why our site was created!

Self Care tips

Self-care is important to improve mental health and wellness. Learn tips on how to reduce stress naturally. If you feel overwhelmed, please check out the resources below to find low-cost therapy or counseling near you.

Support someone

Mental health issues affect everyone differently. However, there are many things you can do to help support a loved one going through difficult times. Find out tips you can learn to prepare yourself so you can help someone you love.

Mental Health Resources

Mental health issues affects roungly 20% of Americans annuall, it can be serious and debilitaing. While there are some methods you can practice to help with your mood. You can contact your healthcare provider or someone at your local community health clinic for help.