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Free Resources

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Any opinions, views, information, and other content contained in these resources are the sole responsibility of the organization listed and do not necessarily reflect the views, values, opinions, or beliefs of Understood.

If you are in imminent danger of hurting yourself or others, call 911 or visit your local ER.

Please note that resources have been divided between those for crisis support vs general mental health support.

A crisis hotline (also known as a lifeline), is a resource people can contact to get immediate emergency counseling. They can provide services that help to de-escalate a situation and provide safety planning.

A warmline, (also known as a helpline or hopeline), is a resource people can contact to get support and learn about available mental health and recovery resources. These are often staffed by people with lived experience of mental health issues to provide peer support and information.

Finally, if you are looking for long-term support and care, it is best to connect with a mental health counselor, therapist, or care coordinator in your area. While some hotlines and warmlines may provide referrals for local resources, they are not always the best equipped to do so.

Crisis hotlines are best equipped to establish safety and to de-escalate a situation with a mental health professional but are not as well-equipped for less severe challenges.

Contact options:

Contact options:

specific to LGBTQIA+ individuals 25 and under

Intended for teens and young adults experiencing mental health challenges or suicidal thoughts.

Contact options:

  • Call 800-448-3000

  • Text VOICE to 20121

24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.

Contacts to The Hotline can expect highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages.

Chat one-on-one with a RAINN support specialist to access a range of free services including confidential support from a trained support specialist, someone to help you talk through what happened, resources that can assist with your next steps toward healing and recovery, referrals for long term support in your area, and information about the laws and resources in your community.

If you are a child experiencing abuse by an adult in your life; or if you’re an adult who believes a child is being abused, this hotline can help support you through crisis situations and referrals for further support.

This is a hotline for teens experiencing violence or abuse in their romantic relationships.

The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. HelpLine staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained and able to provide guidance.

Contact options:

  • Text "HelpLine" to 62640

  • Call 800-950-6264

  • Visit the link above to chat with a HelpLine specialist

Note that some warmlines only accept calls from within the same state, while others are available nationally.

These resources are free to navigate, but you will likely need to navigate using your medical insurance or get support in acquiring insurance to secure long-term mental health care.

Receive support and referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

  • Call their national helpline at 800-662-4357

  • Text your zip code to 435-748 (HELP4U) to find help near you

  • Visit their website findtreatment.gov

Visit their website to find a psychologist near you. There are also options to specify certain preferences, such as language, gender, and more.

Visit their website to find a therapist near you. There are also options to specify certain preferences, such as language, gender, and more. Note that this website includes a range of mental health professionals, including psychologists, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers. All are qualified to provide therapy!

If you need assistance finding food, paying for housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services.

Contact options:

  • Dial 211

  • Visit 211.org

You may anonymously answer questions about you and your household to determine your eligibility for social assistance.

Enter your zip code or city/state and find a local food pantry for nutrition assistance.

Provides assistance and support for complex caregiving needs.