11 Mental Health Resources You Can Trust
Use these sources to pack a personalized holiday mental health coping toolkit.
I know I’m not alone.
As I settle into binging on better-than-usual Netflix holiday specials, I’m wondering (isn’t everyone?) if Christmas 2021 will look the same. It’s been a hell of a year. Stranded somewhere emotionally between “I have my health” and “I really wish I could see my friends,” it’s impossible to deny my own ambivalence this month.
The internet is full of bizarre misinformation about health and coping strategies during the pandemic. But, thankfully, these 11 scientific sources offer the gift we all need — trustworthy help for our sanity and survival.
Resource highlights:
😷 COVID-19 related coping strategies, its effect on mental health
🎁 Holiday season-specific articles, webinars
💁🏿 Peer-led support groups
💬 Suicide prevention chat, text, hotlines
📝 Symptom checkers and quizzes
😢 How to recognize complicated grief
🎢 Emotion regulation
🙅♀️ Setting boundaries with family
📱 Disability-specific apps
👨🏫 Skills and educational training
For convenience, I also made a Twitter list of handles for all the organizations listed here — along with a few others.
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
Search under Categories on the ABCT site to find evidence-based, self-help books and workbooks. This research-driven organization is the association for most licensed clinical psychologists.
Association for Contextual and Behavioral Science (ACBS)
Additional self-help resources — notably, evidence-based books — are listed by the ACBS site. Contextual and behavioral sciences are a branch of the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) family tree and include Functional Analytic Psychotherapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, among others.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Institute of Mental Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Brochures about dozens of mental health topics by the NIMH. Information and statistics regarding prevalence (how frequently a disorder occurs in a population) may be helpful. The NIMH has a listing here about mental health statistics. The NIMH also hosts the Stress versus Anxiety 2-page resource which compares and contrasts the two feelings to guide self-care.
The NIMHD is a sister agency to NIMH and focuses solely on minority mental health disparities. This work encompasses the study of race-based trauma, sexual minority issues, and more. Resources for talking with your doctor, science-based health and wellness community resources, and outreach campaigns are available.
American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA has a fact sheet series that’s ideal for understanding how psychologists can help. This includes a resource hub specific to COVID-19. The APA is responsible for ethical, licensing, training, and other practitioner oversight of licensed Psychologists.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
The ADAA is an excellent resource for individuals with depression and co-existing (comorbid) disorders to find webinars, explanatory infographics, and other resources.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
The DSBA offers free, peer-led support groups. Some are general groups while others are targeted: young adults; female minority veterans; military veterans; seniors (age 60+); friends, family, and caregivers caring for loved ones with mood disorders.
Mental Health America (MHA)
MHA runs a number of national advocacy and outreach programs. They also host screening tools, which ask about symptoms of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and more.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Each year, NAMI leads a range of fundraisers, awareness campaigns, anti-stigma pledge initiatives, mental health policy lobbying, and other advocacy events.
Intearnational OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
IOCDF is a respected, global non-profit whose mission is to help children, adults, and loved ones of those with OCD and related disorders. Members include researchers and clinical practitioners. Each year, they host a conference and invite members and the public. They host a list of OCD management applications, newsletters, and community events.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA runs over 10 offices and centers related to the core mission of substance abuse prevention and treatment. Information on Medication-Assisted Treatments — such as naloxone — can be found on their site.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
CHADD is an organization dedicated to helping children and adults who have ADHD. Their call-an-ADHD-specialist helpline and trainings are just two helpful resources they offer.
Bonus 🆓 Job Accommodations Network (JAN)
The A to Z of Disabilities and Accommodation lookup tool on AskJan.org is an excellent place to learn about employee workplace accommodation rights and approaches. Helpful for individuals with any ADA-recognized disability — not just mental health.
Annette Miller is the Cofounder and CEO of Enriched Couples, a financial therapy platform that uses psychology to guide couples through unifying their values, financial priorities, and future goals.
