WILDLY COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES!
When you don't know where to start, start here.
Amanda Stern
May 03, 2022
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and today's newsletter is overflowing with necessary resources for those who need them.
One is to help you cry, and the other is to help you feel happy.
But first, the history of Mental Health Awareness Month!
Ever heard of Clifford Beers?
I hadn't either, which is a shame because he took his emotional torment and turned it into a mental health movement.
On March 30th 1876, in New Haven, Connecticut, Robert and Ida Beers, a typical American couple, welcomed the arrival of the fourth of five sons, Clifford. As Clifford Beers grew, he, together with three siblings, were plagued by various mental health issues including depression and anxiety.
When his beloved older brother died from complications from epilepsy, a despondent Clifford tried to end his life, and wound up spending a cumulative three years in mental institutions.
Although he grappled with paranoia, depression, and delusions, Beers was keenly aware of the savage and barbaric treatment he and others suffered while institutionalized, including the 21 nights he was confined to a straitjacket. His treatment was not only ineffective but outright traumatizing.
Because of his harrowing experiences in the healthcare system, Beers became fiercely committed to exposing the vicious and uncontrolled conditions inside these "care" facilities. Upon his release, he resolved to reform the healthcare system by revealing the truth of his own story.
Against the advice of loved ones who implored him to not write about his personal torment, Beers followed his gut, and in 1908, published his memoir, A Mind That Found Itself detailing his experiences in three separate mental institutions.
The book became a bestseller, and remains in print today.
Following the strength of his instincts and with a newfound sense of purpose, Beers gave birth to the first organized mental-health movement in America, and, with it, the nation’s subsequent movement toward mental-health awareness.
In the book, Beers declared:
"As I penetrated and conquered the mysteries of that dark side of my life, it no longer held any terror for me. I have decided to stand on my past and look the future in the face."
The book's popularity seized the attention of the medical community and stoked an interest in helping Beers seek reform for the way the mentally ill were treated.
In 1908, he gathered a small group of friends with the aim to start an advocacy organization to improve care and treatment of patients in mental facilities, work to shift the belief that mental illness was incurable, and prevent mental illness and the “need” for hospitalization.
He and his cohorts founded the Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene now called Mental Health Connecticut. In 1909, with the help of the philosopher William James and psychiatrist Adolf Meyer, they founded the "National Committee for Mental Hygiene," now called Mental Health America, which has, to this day, continued the mission to reform mental healthcare.
It is the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. There are more than 320 affiliates nationwide, all working to improve the mental health of all Americans, especially the 54 million individuals with mental disorders.
In 1949, after successful efforts at launching clinics, mental-health-hygiene program for the army and navy, and the passage of The “National Mental Health Act,” in 1946, Mental Health Awareness month was born.
In other words, it wasn't Clifford Beers' gut instinct that made a lasting difference in society, it was his ability to LISTEN to his gut that made all the difference.
Read the book that started the movement, for free, here:
A Mind The Found Itself - by Clifford Beers
A bit more trivia before we dive in...
The Mental Health Symbol is this bell, and represents hope. The inscription on the bell reads:
Cast from shackles which bound them, this bell shall ring out hope for the mentally ill and victory over mental illness.
THE "HOW TO LIVE" DIRECTORY
What started out as a modest list of resources soon outpaced my own expectations. Take your time. There's a lot here.
✅ THE BASICS
Toolkits
Mental Health America's Back to Basics foundational knowledge about mental health & mental health conditions and information about what people can do if their mental health is a cause for concern.
Mental Health America's Back to Basics Outreach Toolkit (same thing but in pdf)
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) classes on the basics
Building Better Habits resources for primary and secondary school.
How to Talk About when you're at a loss for how to talk about mental health conditions with different people.
WARNING SIGNS
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)the signs and symptoms that might signal a mental health condition
CRISIS LINES
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.TALK (8255)
Contact the Bring Change to Mind Crisis Text Line - text BC2M to 741741.
🤐 THERAPY
SUPPORT GROUPS
NAMI Connection Support Group describe what you’re looking for or the person who you’re looking to find support for.
Circles connect with others facing similar challenges in online groups led by professionals.
Pace real support, in small groups.
A BIG list of support groups including specialized support.
GROUP THERAPY
Grouport expert-led online group therapy.
Peer Partners Program Mental Health America’s Peer Partners program helps those struggling with some of the biggest challenges that face us today -- isolation and social exclusion.
ONLINE THERAPY
BetterHelp making professional therapy accessible, affordable, and convenient — so anyone who struggles with life’s challenges can get help, anytime and anywhere.
TalkSpace the most convenient and affordable way to connect with a licensed therapist — all from the privacy of your device.
OnlineTherapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) a complete happiness toolbox. Get matched with a qualified therapist within a minute.
Teen Counseling help your child thrive with professional therapy.
7 Cups tap into the deep well of resources here. There are thousands of volunteer listeners.
GETTY IMAGES / Malte Mueller
PSYCHIATRY
MD Psychiatry Visits If you need someone to support you in facing life’s challenges, our carefully-vetted board-certified psychiatrists are here to help. Get the care you need at a time and place that works for you.
Cerebral meet with a tele-health prescriber or therapist who can diagnose and treat anxiety, depression, insomnia & ADHD with or without medication online.
Dr. On Demand in a world that feels more overwhelming than ever, we make it easy for you to access mental health support. See the right therapist for you, right from your phone, on your schedule.
SLIDING SCALE
Open Path Collective affordable, in-office and online psychotherapy sessions between $30 and $60.
Better Help making professional therapy accessible, affordable, and convenient — so anyone who struggles with life’s challenges can get help, anytime and anywhere.
THERAPY FOR BLACK AND INTERSECTIONAL COMMUNITIES
Inclusive Therapists making seeking therapy feel simpler and safer for people in marginalized communities.
Melanin and Mental Health making mental health more accessible and understood to black and Latinx/hispanic communities.
Open Path Collective affordable, in-office and online psychotherapy sessions between $30 and $60.
My Well Being this community of practitioners includes hundreds of high-quality, diverse experts who are committed to supporting you and your unique needs.
Therapists of Color when therapy looks like you, you no longer feel misunderstood.
Therapy for Black Girls an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
Inno Psych a simple way to find your therapist of color.
Black Men Heal access to mental health treatment, psycho-education, and community resources to men of color.
Black Virtual Wellness Directory the place to find a virtual Black therapist, doula, yoga teacher, mediator and much more.
Ayana Therapy mental healthcare for marginalized and intersectional communities.
Original art for "How to Live" by Edwina White
LGBTQ THERAPISTS OF COLOR
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network Advancing healing justice by transforming mental health for queer and trans poc.
LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color is a social and wellness community where paying members can access group workouts, guided meditations, wellness salons and art workshops as part of the healing process.
THERAPY RESOURCES FOR ASIAN and BIPOC COMMUNITIES
Ethel's Club is a social and wellness club for people of color.
Sistah Afya Community Mental Wellness is a social impact business that provides mental health education, therapy, community support and resources to help young adult Black women.
Asian American Psychological Association is an organization for professionals that has fact sheets on brain injury, trauma and violence exposure, intimate partner violence, student-adjustment challenges, bullying and suicide.
Asians do Therapy Reducing Stigma and Increasing Accessibility.
Asian Mental Health Collective a place that aspires to make mental health easily available, approachable, and accessible to Asian communities worldwide.
Latinx Therapy was founded in 2018 with the mission to de-stigmatize mental health in the Latinx community. You can find a directory of mental health therapists and other helpful information for the Latinx community.
All My Relations is a team of folks who care about representations, and how Native peoples are represented in mainstream media. Between us we have decades of experience working in and with Native communities, and writing and speaking about issues of representation.
THERAPY FOR THE LBGTQ COMMUNITY
LGBT National Help Center serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning community by providing free & confidential peer-support and local services.
Trevor Space an affirming international community for LGBTQ young people ages 13-24.
National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network advancing healing justice by transforming mental health for queer and trans poc.
SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES
Somatic Experiencing a potent method for resolving trauma symptoms and relieving chronic stress. Developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine.
Psychedelic Directory Explore and connect with people, organizations, and communities in the psychedelics space.
What is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing EMDR? A first line treatment for trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
EMDR Directory Find an EMDR Therapist in your region.
GETTY IMAGES | Westend61
THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF TRAUMA
🏠 FAMILIES
HOW-TO's FOR FAMILIES
Family and Caregiver Support supporting a family member.
Children's Center for OCD and Anxiety comprehensive, user-friendly information on the full range of anxiety disorders: how to identify symptoms, find effective treatments and, and prevent anxiety from taking hold in a child's life.
Anxiety 101 how to talk to kids about their anxiety.
FOR TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network raising the standard of care to improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States.
Understanding Trauma and Promoting Resilience in Vulnerable Children The science of resiliency tells us that children are not born with resiliency but it develops over time through the strong relationships with the important adults in their family and community.
🫶🏽 CONDITIONS
TRAUMA
The Wisdom of Trauma Film, by Gabor Mate
ANXIETY
A Primer on Childhood and Teen Anxiety how to face and handle your anxiety.
Little Panic: Dispatches from an Anxious Life my book about growing up with an undiagnosed panic disorder, written from inside anxiety.
DEPRESSION
Cereal for Dinner meeting you where you're at.
Every Day Health a list of depression organizations, articles, and websites for more information and support.
National Network of Depression Centers a wealth of wonderful resources.
Project Healthy Minds browse by emotional state.
BURN OUT
📚 EDUCATION
Education Classes trained NAMI volunteers bring peer-led programs to a wide variety of community settings, from churches to schools to NAMI Affiliates. With the unique understanding of people with lived experience, these programs and support groups provide outstanding free education, skills training and support.
NAMI BASICS a 6-session education program for parents, caregivers and other family who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms. This program is free to participants, 99% of whom say they would recommend the program to others. NAMI Basics is available both in person and online through NAMI Basics OnDemand.
🚌 SCHOOL
PARENTS
Mental Health Resources for Parents online resources aimed specifically at parents of adolescents and young adults.
National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health a nationwide advocacy organization with families as its sole focus.
Parents Guide to Getting Good Care answers to questions of parents whose children are suffering.
TEACHERS
A Pop-up to Let your people know they are not alone!
Breathe for Change 200-hour Digital Wellness, SEL, and Yoga Teacher Training For Educators and Community Leaders.
STUDENTS
Bring Change to Mind raising voices and awareness about mental health in high school.
Student Mental Health Toolkit encouraging wellness education as a community and helping to de-stigmatize mental health.
THE ENTIRE SCHOOL SYSTEM
Professional Resources for Schools from wellbeing activities for schools, to toolkits and webinars for mental health professionals, and a range of resources to help you support the young people in your lives.
Resources for the Classroom a suite of programs designed to allow educators to empower their students with an introduction to mental health, depression-literacy, help-seeking and what it takes to promote good mental health.
Transcend: Building Beyond the Limits of School Design here is what schools can do to support mental health.
😷 PANDEMIC
COVID MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Jack Covid Resources youth mental health resource hub.
Coronavirus Pandemic Resources from UPenn (a VERY extensive list)
Michigan Health Blog 5 Ways to Manage Your Mental Health During COVID-19.
US Department of Health and Human Services Mental Health and Coping during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.
University of San Francisco Coping Resources COVID-19 Specific Resources.
Mental Health America Mental Health and Covid-19 Information and Resources.
FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Responder Strong an essential tool for essential work.
First Responders, Children's Foundation provides financial support to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant financial hardship due to tragic circumstances.
Wellness for Fire Fighters numerous resources related to cancer, heart health and mental health issues in one central location.
The Battle Within a 5 day healing journey for trauma endured while in service.
THERAPISTS
Society for Psychotherapy distress, therapist burnout, self-care, and the promotion of wellness for psychotherapists and trainees.
CMFT self care resources for therapists.
National Library of Medicine how therapists can diminish burnout symptoms through self-care.
PHYSICIANS
🖇THE WORKPLACE
FOR EMPLOYERS
Mental Health America for Employers information to improve mental health in your workplace.
Corporate Wellness Magazine addressing the total health of your employees.
Understood 5 ways to support employee wellness.
Therify personalized mental health resources to help you improve employee satisfaction, well-being, and belonging.
FOR EMPLOYEES
Mental Health America for Employees information on caring for your own mental health when facing difficult challenges at work.
Thriver physical and mental wellness activities to promote healthy habits throughout your workplace.
Workplace Mental Health setting the standard for mentally healthy workplaces by leading on best practices and innovation, leveraging strategic alliances, and developing and disseminating high impact tools and resources.
A Pop-up to Let your people know they are not alone!
ARTICLES OF INTEREST FOR LEADERS
🦸🏻♀️ GENDER
🍴 EATING / BODY DYSMORPHIA
Do I have Body Dysmorphic Disorder? Take the Test.
🚴🏽 ATHLETES
👯♂️ FRIENDS
🎬 FREE WEBINARS
Psych Alive has made these webinars free for Mental Health Awareness Month.
⛑ MY FAVORITE MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS
Bring Change to Mind a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging dialogue about mental health, and to raising awareness, understanding, and empathy.
Active Minds one of the premier organizations impacting young adults and mental health.
Child Mind dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need to thrive.
The Trevor Project providing information & support to LGBTQ young people 24/7, all year round.
Fountain House fighting to improve health, increase opportunity, and end social and economic isolation for people most impacted by mental illness.
The JED Foundation a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today…and tomorrow.
Mental Health America mental health conditions should be treated long before they reach the most critical points in the disease process, and they're committed to addressing mental health B4Stage4.
📖 ONLINE COURSES
National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine continuing education for practitioners who are dedicated to being the best in their craft (anyone can take these courses, so long as they pay for them).
📆 ONLINE EVENTS
The Friends of the Semel Institute is dedicated to improving the lives of people with mental illness by supporting research to advance innovative treatments and sponsoring educational programs to raise awareness and erase stigma.
⁉️ WORKSHEETS / QUESTIONNAIRES
🎯 GAMES
You Feel Like Shit questions that help you practice self-care.
The Game of Real Life by Jesse Finkelstein based on the principles of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
Florence, a video game about loss and learning to see from a different perspective.
Hidden Folks, for anxiety.
⚕️MY FAVORITE MENTAL HEALTH NEWSLETTERS & WEBSITES & BLOGS
Psyche a digital magazine from Aeon that illuminates the human condition through psychology, philosophy and the arts.
Beautiful Voyager a community and content space for overthinkers, perfectionists, and people pleasers.
✍🏼 Also, check out the work of JUST SOME of my amazing Bulletin colleagues
🎤 FAVORITE PODCASTS
Be Here Now Network a network of spirituality and mindfulness podcasts incl: Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, Alan Watts, Konda Mason & Tara Brach
On Being hosted by Krista Tippett
Terrible Thanks for Asking hosted by Nora McInerny
Anxiety Bites hosted by Jen Kirkman
Unf*ck Your Brain hosted by Kara Loewentheil
Hidden Brain hosted by Shankar Vedantam
📕 FAVORITE BOOKS ON PSYCHOLOGY AND MENTAL HEALTH
Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon
Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon
My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread, and the Search for Peace of Mind by Scott Stossel
The Man Who Mistook his Wife for A Hat by Oliver Sacks
Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships by Eric Berne
The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk
Mindset by Carol Dweck
The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss by Mary-Frances O'Connor
The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts
A Matter of Death and Life by Irvin D. Yalom, Marilyn Yalom
Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine
39 MENTAL HEALTH READS from the New York Public Library (and seconded by me!)
For more titles, head over to the "HOW TO LIVE" BOOKSHOP
📗 PRACTICAL AND ACTIONABLE BOOKS ON MENTAL HEALTH
Feeling Good by David Burns
Freeing Yourself from Anxiety by Tamar Chansky
Freeing Your Child from Anxiety by Tamar Chansky
The Worry Cure by Robert Leahy
Radical Acceptance Tara Brach
❓ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS EVEN YOU ARE EMBARRASSED TO ASK GOOGLE
📰 ARTICLES I'M READING
'Making your children feel loved’ and the power of parental listening by Andrew Solomon
He Spurred a Revolution in Psychiatry. Then He ‘Disappeared’ by Ellen Barry
The Trans Swimmer Who Won Too Much by Louisa Thomas
‘It’s Life or Death’: The Mental Health Crisis Among U.S. Teens by Matt Richtel and Annie Flanagan
Yes, Colonialism Caused Climate Change, IPCC Reports by Yessenia Funes
🍿 DOCUMENTARIES
The Wisdom of Trauma by Gabor Mate
🦸🏽♂️ MENTAL HEALTH WARRIORS I LOVE
Bessel van der Kolk MD spends his career studying how children and adults adapt to traumatic experiences, and has translated emerging findings from neuroscience and attachment research to develop and study a range of treatments for traumatic stress in children and adults.
Gabor Mate an addiction specialist who writes and thinks about childhood adverse experiences and trauma, among other things.
Nedra Tawwab a Therapist, NYT Bestselling Author, and Relationship Expert who helps people create healthy relationships.
Andrew Solomon is a writer and lecturer on psychology, politics, and the arts; winner of the National Book Award; and an activist in LGBT rights, mental health, and the arts.
Non Wels is a mental health advocate, writer and podcaster who founded The Feely Human Collective, a collaborative mental health community designed to empower each of us to grow our capacity for empathy, vulnerability, and emotional curiosity.
Calendar of events
🎪 Looking for something you can’t find?
GO to Eventbrite and type Mental Health or Psychology into the search bar
📚TEN MOST CHALLENGED BOOKS FOR US TO READ
1. Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe — Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images
2. Lawn Boy, by Jonathan Evison — Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit
3. All Boys Aren't Blue, by George M. Johnson — Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and because it was considered to be sexually explicit
4. Out of Darkness, by Ashley Hope Perez — Banned, challenged, and restricted for depictions of abuse and because it was considered to be sexually explicit
5. The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas — Banned and challenged for profanity, violence, and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda
6. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie — Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references and use of a derogatory term
7. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, by Jesse Andrews — Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and degrading to women
8. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison — Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit
9. This Book is Gay, by Juno Dawson — Banned, challenged, relocated, and restricted for providing sexual education and LGBTQIA+ content
10. Beyond Magenta, by Susan Kuklin — Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit
⚕️VOLUNTEER
NAMI, make a meaningful difference in someone's life.
🎶 And a little present from me
NEED TO CRY? BUT CAN'T? I MADE YOU A PLAYLIST.
I couldn't add this version of this Mark Eitzel song on Spotify, so please listen/watch it here (the chorus is what gets me, Holy Holy cow). It starts at the 1:00 minute mark.
NEED AN UPLIFT BUT CAN'T? I MADE YOU A PLAYLIST.
(I don't have the premium version of Spotify, so apologies in advance for the ads!)
And you? Do you have favorite resources? Let me know in the comments!
Until next week I am…
Amanda
(Nope, I'm not a therapist or medical professional. I'm just a human being who has spent most of her life trying to figure out how to live.)
Join the conversation