Good morning everyone! I hope you’re all having a lovely Monday morning. Today is Mental Health Monday, so I’m going to give you a list full of Mental Health Resources to use or share with those who need them.

You may be wondering why I write my Mental Health Monday posts. I write weekly mental health posts because my family is full of people who experience depression and anxiety, like many of you. As you saw from a previous Mental Health Monday post, How Bad Teachers Can Affect Your Child’s Mental Health, my son Punky is susceptible to bouts of depression, especially when he feels he’s not appropriately supported. I also suffer from depression and anxiety.  My last depression spiral was due to having back to back miscarriages (4 in total).  I also suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), where a lack of vitamin D triggers my depressive episodes. My mom, brothers, aunts, and grandmother also struggle with mental health, but they have their own stories to tell.

Lack of affordable resources is one of the biggest obstacles in getting quality mental health care.

The lack of resources was huge in the way we were all affected. Mental Health is still a taboo subject.  I’m trying to break that stigmatization so people who need help can freely get it and can talk about their issues out in the open. The more transparency we have in the mental health community, the more people can get the help they need and deserve.

I am open about my journey with depression and anxiety. If you ever want to talk about your experience, please feel free to contact me. I may be a blogger, but confidentiality is critical to me. I won’t disclose anything we talk about unless you ask me to. Full disclosure, I am not a mental health professional. I cannot help you work through your struggles, but I am here for you as moral support.

Let’s move on to the resources!

Resources for Anxiety and Depression in the United States

1. Anxiety and Depression Association of America – This website contains information on therapy types, finding a therapist, offering advice on medication types, integrative behavioral health, and resources on how to find residential treatment centers.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – The CDC page linked talks about anxiety and depression in children. They offer advice on anxiety and depression, behavior or conduct problems, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and has resources available to help you find family treatment options to help your child.
3. National Institute of Mental Health – The NIMH talks about anxiety disorders, the signs, and symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder, phobias, the risk factors, treatments and therapies, medications, support groups, stress management techniques, and offers free shareable brochures and resources.
4. Crisis Text Line – Crisis Text Line is a texting service that connects you to free 24/7 mental health counseling. If you’re in a crisis, you can get free 24/7 support at your fingertips. For the US and Canada: text Help to 741741 UK: text Help to 85258 Ireland: text Help to 50808
5. Mental Health GOV – To get immediate help, call 911 in the United States. Mental Health. Gov also has links to The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which you can call on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can also use the Live Online Chat function. They also have a link to the SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) for general information about mental health issues and locate treatment centers in your area.

 

Mental Health Resources in the United Kingdom

1. NHS UK (England) – This link goes to all NHS resources, everything from anxiety to your relationships. If you need urgent support, call 111 or speak to your GP out of hours. Please follow this link to complete the NHS online form. They will direct you to a mental health counselor in your area. Call 999 right away if someone’s life is in danger or visit your nearest A&E.
2. NHS 24 (Scotland) – This link goes to all of the resources available in Scotland. Breathing Space phone lines are open for those experiencing depression, anxiety, or stress. If you need urgent advice, please phone 111, or if someone’s life is in danger, call 999.
3. NHS Wales – Health advice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
4. Childline – Childline is a free, confidential service available to anyone under 19 in the UK. Whether it’s something big or small, their trained counselors are there to support you any time, day or night.
5. Samaritans – Provides confidential, non-judgmental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter, or in most cases, talk to someone face to face.
6. NI Direct (Northern Ireland) – This link talks about mental health emergencies and gives links and phone numbers to crisis centers, Samaritans, Child Line, and others for NI residents.

Share this post with everyone you know

I sincerely hope that these limited mental health resources help you or someone you love. I am currently taking submissions for resources, so please email me at admin@amandalho.com, and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Please share this post with anyone who lives in the United States or the UK which you think may need help finding resources. You never know whose life you’ll save.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. Make good choices wherever you are!