Finding
Help
Knowing you need help, but not knowing where to start can be daunting. The first step toward finding help is to acknowledge that you need it and then reaching out for it.
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If you are feeling suicidal, please call this number immediately: 988
If you are suffering from severe anxiety, depression, bipolar depression, substance abuse, or an eating disorder, the goal of this website is to provide you with information about your illness and links to even more information about your illness and various forms of therapy and medicines that can be used to treat it. The site also provides links to a variety of mental health professionals, hospitals and programs that specialize in your illness.
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We encourage you to think of this site as a “starting point” as you seek information and help. This website is not comprehensive. It provides links to some, but not all of the many programs and service providers that are available to you.
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The Maddie Fund itself does not endorse or recommend any specific professionals or programs. We strongly encourage you to do your own research to find a professional or program(s) that may be right for you or your loved one.
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Medical Professionals
When seeking advice for treatment options for mental health there are a number of options you can consider. If you have a primary care physician, you can consult with him or her first. If you don’t have a primary doctor, you can choose to go to a mental health walk-in clinic or you can call or email one or more of the many online and phone-based mental health services that are available to you, many of which are highlighted in this website.
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The three main groups of professionals that provide Mental Health services are: Licensed Therapists, Psychologists and Psychiatrists. Psychologists are often referred to as Therapists, but also have a degree in psychology, and often have taken advanced studies in the same field, including doctorate or Ph.D. study levels. A Psychiatrist is a Medical Doctor who specializes in identifying and treating different forms of mental illness and can prescribe medicines to help treat these illnesses. A Therapist and/or Psychologist will usually treat patients with “talk therapy” and other specific forms of therapy, several of which are described in this website, while a Psychiatrist may recommend medication in addition to other forms of therapy. If someone does not respond to medication, the psychiatrist may recommend other medical treatments or other alternative treatments, several of which are described in this website. It is common for an individual who is suffering from a mental illness to work with both a Therapist/Psychologist and a Psychiatrist when working toward managing symptoms and improving their condition.
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Psychologists & Therapists
Psychologists hold a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or another specialty such as counseling or education. They are trained to evaluate a person’s mental health using clinical interviews, psychological evaluations and testing. They can make diagnoses and provide individual and group therapy. Some may have training in specific forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and other behavioral therapy interventions.
Find a Psychologist at TalkSpace
Find a Psychologist at BetterHelp
Find a Psychologist from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Find a Therapist from GoodTherapy
Find a Therapist from PsychologyToday
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What’s the difference between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist?
What’s the difference between a Therapist and a Psychologist?
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Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors who have completed psychiatric training. They can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and monitor medications and provide therapy. Some have completed additional training in child and adolescent mental health, substance use disorders or geriatric psychiatry.
Find a Psychiatrist at DoctorOnDemand.com
Find a Psychiatrist at MDLive.com
Find a Psychiatrist at GoodTherapy.com
Find a Psychiatrist at TalkSpace.com
Find a Psychiatrist from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Hospitals, Treatment
Centers, &
Clinical Trails
Many hospitals and mental health clinics provide in-patient and/or out-patient treatment programs for people suffering from mental illness. In-patient programs are usually for patients needing urgent attention and intensive therapy. It's best to contact a facility directly to see if they offer the mental health service that you need, and also what forms of payment (Medicare, Medicaid, and/or private insurance) they may accept, and if they offer financial assistance.
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You can also call SAMHSA's National Helpline for this information at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD)
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Universities or teaching hospitals in your area may also offer mental health services, including some free services. Contact those in your area to find out.
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Hospitals:
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Find a hospital near you from Samhsa
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Find a hospital near you from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
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Treatment Centers:
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Find a mental health treatment service from MHA (Mental Health America)
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Find a treatment center from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
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Stanford Children's Health for Eating Disorders
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Clinical Trials:
Clinical trails are regularly offering volunteers new forms of therapy and medications, free of charge.
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Find a clinical trail near you from National Institute of Mental Health
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Find privately and publicly funded clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Support
Groups
Hundreds of on-line support groups exist and are available to people who are suffering from mental illness. These support groups offer people an opportunity to connect with others who have faced and may still be facing similar illnesses, and access to these support groups is often free. Some of these support groups have very specific focuses, while others are more broad. Some groups provide some degree of oversight and/or counseling from mental health professionals, while others are more peer-based, interactive communities that enable participants to share information and support.
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You Are Not Alone from NAMI - A forum for users to read and share their personal stories
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The Mighty - A community to share and interact with others going through mental health issues
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Stigma-Free Society - A resource for parents, guardians, and caregivers to talk to their teens about mental wellbeing
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The Support Network - Address and promote student mental health and well-being through peer support initiatives in high schools and colleges.
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The Jed Foundation - Protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults
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Peer-to-Peer - Depression awareness and suicide prevention education, training, and support for middle and high school students
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Smart Recovery for addiction and Substance Abuse
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Alcoholics Anonymous for alcoholism and Substance Abuse
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Narcotics Anonymous for addiction and Substance Abuse
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Al-Anon Family Groups - Hope and help for family and friends of Substance Abuse
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Eating Disorder Support Groups: https://anad.org/get-help/about-our-support-groups/
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https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/online-therapy-for-teens#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
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Faith-based Support groups:
Hotlines
Depression
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Suicide Hotline: 988
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Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) – Can use in US, U.K., Canada and Singapore
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National Adolescent Suicide Helpline: 1-800-621-4000
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Postpartum Depression: 1-800-PPD-MOMS
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NDMDA Depression Hotline – Support Group: 1-800-826-3632
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Veterans: 1-877-VET2VET
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Crisis Help Line – For Any Kind of Crisis: 1-800-233-4357
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Suicide & Depression Crisis Line – Covenant House: 1-800-999-9999
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Substance Abuse​
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Alcohol/Drug Abuse Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
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Be Sober Hotline: 1-800-BE-SOBER (1-800-237-6237)
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National Drug Abuse: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
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Al-Anon/Alateen Hope & Help for young people who are the relatives & friends of a problem drinker): 1-800-344-2666
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Cocaine Help Line: 1-800-COCAINE (1-800-262-2463)
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24 Hour Cocaine Support Line: 1-800-992-9239
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Ecstasy Addiction: 1-800-468-6933
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Marijuana Anonymous: 1-800-766-6779
Eating Disorders
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Eating Disorders Center: 1-888-236-1188
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Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention: 1-800-931-2237 (Hours: 8am-noon daily, PST)
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​Other Hotlines & Websites
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Self-Injury Support: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288) (WWW.SELFINJURY.COM)
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Help Finding a Therapist: 1-800-THERAPIST (1-800-843-7274)
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Panic Disorder Information and Support: 1-800-64-PANIC (1-800-647-2642)
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TalkZone (Peer Counselors): 1-800-475-TALK (1-800-475-2855)
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Parental Stress Hotline: 1-800-632-8188
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BetterHelp online counseling www.BetterHelp.com/mental
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Crisis Text Line text 741741