Main image courtesy of Wharton Global Youth Program —  University of Pennsylvania. 

When it comes to taking care of your mental health, things can get difficult. Actually being able to go to therapy regularly is a privilege many of us don’t have, and it may seem like you’re out of options, but there are so many resources that you can access if you’re going through a rough patch. 

With online resources, there are so many opportunities you can take advantage of. From crisis hotlines to mental health forums, you always have somewhere to turn to when you need it. Here are some online mental health resources that you can always access.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

One of the most well-known online depression resources is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which you can reach by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255). To access it in Spanish, dial 1-888-628-9454. 

If you don’t want to call, you can also be connected with a counselor via the Lifeline Chat. The Lifeline Chat is available 24/7 across the United States. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also provides a variety of mental health resources, including a glossary of terms related to mental health and suicide prevention, as well as recovery stories from individuals who’ve experienced and overcome struggles with addiction, depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts.

Crisis Text Line

If you’re in a crisis, you can text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.  The Crisis Text Line website has valuable information about coping with challenges such as emotional abuse, the coronavirus, and depression, as well as a blog and a page that links to resources such as apps, websites, and hotlines that can help with your specific concerns. 

The website is available in both Spanish and English. 

Mental Health America

Mental Health America offers a variety of resources, such as Self-Help Tools. These include mental health screening tools and worksheets that can help ground you, help you plan for and make positive changes in your lifestyle, and take control of risky behaviors. 

They also have resources that break down the process of getting professional help for mental illnesses. They cover topics such as insurance policies and paying for treatment, as well as the types of mental health treatment that are out there and what they entail.

MHA also has informative pieces about mental illnesses from addiction all the way to trichotillomania. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

SAMHSA has a National Helpline that you can reach by dialing 1-800-662-HELP (4357), also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service. You can also reach a free, confidential, 24/7 information service in both Spanish and English at 1-800-487-4889.

SAMHSA provides information about suicide prevention, recovery, and behavioral health treatment and services. You can also find resources about preventing substance use and mental health disorders. 

7Cups

7Cups provides free online therapy and emotional support to individuals who may be struggling with mental health issues and is available in 32 languages. The anonymous virtual chat is available 24/7 and puts you in touch with a trained volunteer listener. You can also access message boards and forums that discuss mental health issues, as well as a group support chat that allows you to connect with others. 

7Cups has an advice page that provides mental health news and advice from experts in the field. Article topics include depression, grief, hopelessness, recovery, and more. 

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is catered towards LGBTQ youth. You can reach out by texting START to 678-678, calling 1-866-488-7386, or just chat with them online. 

If you’re not quite ready to talk, you can do a quick calming exercise that helps you relax and focus. 

TrevorSpace is an international community for queer youth ages 13-24 where you can connect with, and make new, LGBTQ friends. You can also read about a vast array of LGBTQ topics, such as gender identity and sexuality, on their resource center page. 

Moodfit 

Moodfit is a free app that helps you track your mood and provides resources on managing negative emotions you may be experiencing. You can download it on the App Store and Google Play. This app aims to follow the structure of a fitness app, but instead of focusing on improving your physical health, it targets your mental health and wellbeing. 

There’s even a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) portion of the app that can teach you valuable skills such as gratitude and mindfulness. It provides insight into what impacts your mood, such as your diet and activity levels, and what you can do to improve it in the future. You can also get information about different forms of treatment and their effectiveness, such as medications or therapy. 

Happify 

Happify is a free app available on the App Store and Google Play. It offers a variety of science-based activities that can help alleviate symptoms of mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. The activities can help with coping with stress and negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness through meditation, or setting career goals to track your progress and fulfillment. The app incorporates CBT techniques into the games and activities, and is rooted in psychological research and evidence about what works best for mental health and mood issues.

There are so many mental health resources that you can access online for support, advice, crisis intervention, or just to learn more about the realm of mental health and psychological wellbeing. Things will get better, and you always have somebody to reach out to and talk to. Don’t be afraid to take that first step towards a better, brighter future for yourself!