30 Mental Health Resources When You Can’t Afford a Therapist
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6. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders: 1-800-931-2237
If you, a loved one, or friend need help with eating disorders, ANAD’s national helpline is there for you. Whether you’re looking for immediate counseling or recommendations for treatment and support, this is the number to call. If you prefer to connect with a counselor but aren’t interested in phone contact, you can also take advantage of ANAD’s services via email.
7. National Crime Victim Helpline: 1-800-394-2255
This helpline can connect you to any resources you might need if you’ve been the victim of any crime, from directing you to specific counseling centers and resources to connecting you with legal advice. Whatever the situation, this hotline is a trustworthy first step in getting help for victims of crime.
8. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7223
Available 24/7, domestic violence advocates are available to help those trapped in dangerous home situations. This is a great free resource for counseling and access to resources in your area that can help you form a safety and refuge plan.
9. National Eating Disorder Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237
This is a great starting point if you or someone you know is dealing with an eating disorder. The trained NEDA representatives at this hotline will hook you up with information about eating disorders, treatment options, and referrals.
10. National Organization for Victim Assistance: 1-800-879-6682
Whether you’re a victim or a witness to a crime, NOVA’s hotline can help you. Though the association doesn’t offer counseling, NOVA representatives can connect you within minutes to a counseling hotline that best meets your needs. They can also provide information about crime and crisis recovery as well as referrals to victim advocacy.
11. National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
This hotline can offer counseling and link you to resources that can help you if you’ve been a victim of sexual assault. The website of the group also hosts free and confidential chat online if phone contact is too difficult.
12. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Even at your darkest moments, this suicide prevention hotline is available to offer a compassionate ear. Anytime of day and no matter what you’re dealing with, you can talk to a skilled counselor without fear of judgement. If you’d like referrals to local mental health care services after your call, hotline representatives can help with that as well.
13. Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous Nationwide Conference Call: 1-712-432-0075
If you want to connect with others who can relate to the obsessions or compulsions that are cumbersome to you but you can’t attend in-person meetings, this center can help. The conference call can help lift you out of isolation and link you with peers who understand your struggles. Modeled after AA, OCA’s conference calls follow the basic format of a 12-step meeting. For times to call and additional resources on OCD you can visit this group’s website.
14. Samaritan’s Crisis Hotline: 1-212-673-3000
Available 24/7 and staffed by well-trained volunteers, this suicide prevention hotline is free of charge and there to help by lending a compassionate, non-judgmental ear when you’re in crisis. This is a great resource for anyone who can’t afford therapy but desperately needs to talk and be heard.
15. Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
For LGBTQ youth who need help with urges to self-harm or thoughts of suicide, this number can literally be a lifeline. Available free of charge and at all hours, this number is manned by a trained staffer ready to field your call and let you open up about whatever issues you’re facing. Not into phone calls? Text “Trevor” to 1-202-304-1200 to connect with a skilled support line responder.
16. Crisis Call Center: 1-800-273-8255
Designed for Nevada residents, this 24-hour helpline provides support for emotional distress of any type. This is a great way to find resources throughout the state. Either call to speak directly or text “ANSWER” to 839863.
Addiction Support Groups:
17. Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous has been helping alcoholics since 1935. Founded by two former drinking buddies, the program was loosely based on a popular religious movement focused on owning your mistakes, assessing your character, and making amends. Today AA has grown to over two million members worldwide and welcomes people of any age, political, sexual, and gender orientations.
18. Al-Anon
This support group helps those whose lives have been disrupted by the alcoholism of a friend, family member, or partner. Al-Anon even offers a specialized program for teens (Alateen).
19. Cocaine Anonymous
Since its beginning in 1982, Cocaine Anonymous has grown to around 30,000 members worldwide. Like the name implies, CA is modeled after the 12 steps and peer-support design of AA. People struggling with addictions to other substances in addition to cocaine are also welcome to address that at CA. Meetings are free and open to all who want to stop using.
20. Crystal Meth Anonymous
Crystal Meth Anonymous was also born out of AA. A former addict and member of AA started this offshoot after witnessing an upsurge of crystal meth addicts joining AA to get sober. He figured meth addicts could benefit from a 12-step model, but they needed their own specific version of support. Turns out that hunch was right, and today you can find over 600 CMA meetings worldwide.
21. Dual Recovery Anonymous
Dual Recovery Anonymous offers a specialized 12-step program for people struggling with chemical dependencies on top of emotional and psychological disorders. As with other 12-step peer support programs, the only requirement for entry is a desire to get sober and, in this case, to manage your mood.
22. Gamblers Anonymous
The 12-step program doesn’t just apply to substances. Those who find themselves frequently in debt or otherwise stressed by excessive gambling habits have made good use of this support group started in 1957.
23. LifeRing
LifeRing isn’t a typical step program and there’s no need for sponsorship here, either. The organization does however, provide forums and face-to-face meetings to help people who wish to be sober design their own recoveries in a way that works in their own lives.
24. Marijuana Anonymous
Marijuana may now be legal in some states, but like other alcohol and other legal substances it can still cause addiction issues. If pot is interfering with your life, these national meetings can help restore balance.
25. Narcotics Anonymous
Designed for addicts struggling with all types of chemical dependencies, NA models itself after the traditions and steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. NA has been working to keep people around the world drug free since1953.
26. Nar-Anon
Like Al-Anon and Alateen, Nar-Anon offers support to the family members and friends of those struggling with drug addictions. Meetings offer a safe space for people to sort out their feelings and make sense of their loved one’s addictive behavior and its impact on others.
27. Overeaters Anonymous
It’s estimated that 11 percent of people are addicted to the pleasures of food. Thankfully, there are over 6,500 OA meetings worldwide designed to help people manage compulsive eating habits and build a healthier relationship with food.
28. Sex Addicts Anonymous
A healthy sex life is important, however some people use sex to self-medicate, self-destruct, and, in the process, wreak havoc on their own and others’ wellbeing. Researchers estimate 3-6 percent of people are at risk. Through sex addicts anonymous, both men and women can learn to manage their behavior, gain insight into their impulses, and start recovery through peer support and a 12-step model.
29. Secular Organizations for Sobriety
This support network is offered to anyone seeking sobriety and an alternative to AA. SOS supports individual empowerment while also declaring a strong respect for science and healthy skepticism about treatment. Meetings are held across the U.S. and abroad.
30. SMART Recovery For those not into 12-step programs
SMART recovery is based on research-based cognitive behavioral therapy strategies. SMART meetings do not require you to identify as an addict or alcoholic and places less emphasis on spirituality and more on empowering members than AA. The doors of SMART meetings are open to individuals struggling with any type of addiction.
