Important note: This directory is curated for informational purposes and does not constitute professional medical or mental health advice. The resources listed here are starting points — not substitutes for working with a licensed mental health professional. If you are supporting a young person in crisis, please connect with a qualified provider.
Crisis Support
4 resourcesCall or text 988, 24/7
The national lifeline connects anyone in distress with trained crisis counselors — free, confidential, and available around the clock. You can call, text, or chat online. Veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Spanish speakers have dedicated options.
Text HOME to 741741, 24/7
For people who would rather text than talk, Crisis Text Line connects you with a trained crisis counselor entirely over text message. Available around the clock and completely free. Particularly accessible for young people in situations where calling feels impossible.
1-800-662-4357, 24/7, free and confidential
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's national helpline provides free, confidential treatment referrals and information for individuals and families dealing with mental health or substance use disorders. Available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
1-800-950-6264, Mon–Fri 10am–10pm ET
The National Alliance on Mental Illness runs a free peer-support phone line staffed by trained volunteers with lived mental health experience. Best for people who want to talk through a non-emergency situation, get information about diagnoses, or find local resources and support groups.
Youth-Specific Organizations
4 resourcesMental health and suicide prevention for teens and young adults
JED works directly with schools and colleges to strengthen mental health programs, crisis response systems, and support networks for students. Their website has guides for students, parents, and educators — including resources on what to do when a friend seems to be struggling.
The nation's leading student mental health nonprofit
Active Minds operates on college and high school campuses across the country, training student advocates and reducing the stigma that keeps young people from seeking help. If you're in college, check whether your campus has a chapter. Their Send Silence Packing exhibit is one of the most powerful public mental health awareness campaigns in the country.
Advocacy, education, and free screening tools since 1909
MHA is the oldest and largest community-based mental health organization in the country. Their website has free, evidence-based screening tools for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more — useful if you're trying to understand what you're experiencing before talking to a professional. They also run advocacy campaigns for systemic change.
Research, advocacy, and support for loss survivors
AFSP funds research, trains communities in suicide prevention, and supports people who have lost someone to suicide. Their "Talk Away the Dark" campaign and the Out of the Darkness walks have helped reframe suicide prevention as a community responsibility rather than an individual failure. Their resources for loss survivors are among the best available.
LGBTQ+ Resources
3 resourcesCrisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth, 24/7
The Trevor Project is the world's largest suicide prevention organization focused on LGBTQ+ young people. TrevorLifeline (1-866-488-7386), TrevorText (text START to 678-678), and TrevorChat are all available 24/7. They also run TrevorSpace, a safe online community for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 to 24.
Support for LGBTQ+ people and their families
PFLAG's network of over 400 chapters connects LGBTQ+ individuals and their families with in-person support groups across the country. Their resources for parents and caregivers are especially valuable — the transition to being a supportive family member is not always straightforward, and PFLAG provides guidance and community for that process.
Safe schools for LGBTQ+ students
GLSEN works to ensure K-12 schools are safe, affirming environments for LGBTQ+ students. Their research on school climate is some of the most rigorous available, and their resources for students — including guidance on starting GSAs and knowing your legal rights — are practical and clearly written. Educators and school administrators will also find a lot here.
Family & Caregiver Resources
3 resourcesFree education program for families
This eight-session program run by NAMI is specifically designed for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of people with mental health conditions. Led by trained family members who have been through it themselves, it covers everything from understanding diagnoses to communicating effectively during a crisis. Free of charge.
Mental health resources for children, teens, and parents
Child Mind Institute's website is one of the best free resources available for parents trying to understand what a child is experiencing. Their guides on anxiety, ADHD, depression, and trauma are written clearly, cover the latest research, and don't talk down to readers. They also operate clinics in New York and San Francisco for those who need more direct support.
Peer-led support groups nationwide
DBSA runs peer-led support groups for people with depression and bipolar disorder, as well as groups specifically for their family members and friends. The peer model — where group leaders have lived experience with the conditions being discussed — is genuinely different from clinical settings and is particularly valuable for caregivers who feel isolated in their experience.
Educational Resources
3 resourcesThe science of mental health, from the national institute
The National Institute of Mental Health publishes plain-language guides on virtually every mental health condition, based on the most current research. If you want to understand what a diagnosis means, what treatments have evidence behind them, or what the statistics look like, this is the most authoritative free source available.
Mental health stories from real college students
A campaign focused on reducing stigma among college students by sharing real stories from real people. The name comes from the statistic that nearly half of all college students report experiencing a mental health crisis during their time in school. The site includes personal accounts and resources for students who may be struggling but haven't spoken up yet.
Free video lessons on mental health basics
Khan Academy partnered with the American Society of Clinical Oncology and mental health experts to create a free video series covering anxiety, depression, trauma, and related topics. The format is approachable and well-suited for students who prefer watching to reading. Not a substitute for professional care, but a useful starting point for building understanding.