Where to Turn for Mental Health

Symptoms to look for

These are other warning signs:

• Feeling unable to cope with your day-to-day problems, work assignments, or usual household activities

• Being overwhelmed by a deep sense of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness

• Having extreme mood swings, from high or hyper to down in the dumps

• Withdrawing from people and normal activities

• Believing things that are not true or hearing voices that are not there

• Having thoughts or memories that you can't get out of your head

• Abusing alcohol or drugs

• Getting very angry or acting violently

• Having thoughts about suicide or hurting someone else

• Having a plan of how you would harm yourself

• Feeling grouchy, unable to concentrate or sleep, and constantly worrying

It's better to get treatment sooner than later if you have any of these symptoms. These are warning signs that you definitely need help.

Make the call

Get help right away any time you think you might hurt yourself or someone else. Call or text 988 right away. This is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You will be connected to a trained counselor you can talk to. You can also chat with them at 988lifeline.org/chat. The 988 Lifeline services are free and available 24/7.

Immediately go to a hospital emergency room for help if you are in a state of crisis. Health care providers will be able to tell you where and how to get more help. For additional assistance, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline has an online locator for mental health services in your area.

Other resources:

• Your health care provider. Your provider knows you and likely will notice any changes in your mood or personality. Your provider can also rule out possible physical reasons for your symptoms.

• Employee assistance programs (EAP). If your company has an EAP, ask for a confidential referral to an appropriate provider or treatment program in your community.

• Community mental health centers. These organizations give counseling and other services on a sliding-fee scale, based on your income.

• Crisis centers. On-site mental health professionals give immediate evaluation and treatment.

• Support and self-help groups. Alcoholics Anonymous and the National Alliance on Mental Illness are examples of peer and family support groups that meet both online and in person. 

• Word-of-mouth referrals. These can come from friends or family.

• Psychiatrists or medical doctors. These professionals can give counseling and medicine.

• Psychologists. These professionals have doctorate degrees. They specialize in psychotherapy and human behavior.

• Mental health nurse practitioners. These professionals have advanced degrees. They can give counseling and medicine.

• Licensed clinical social workers. These are professionals with a master's degree who are trained in one-on-one and group psychotherapy. They help people deal with a variety of mental health and daily living problems.