Arts and Writing by Sherry

Organizations

NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI offers an array of support and education programs that help build better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness, including the NAMI HelpLine (information and referral service — 1-800-950-NAMI [6264]); an array of free education and support programs for individuals, family members, providers and the general public; State and Local NAMIs; Discussion Groups and Social Networks; a Veterans & Military Resource Center; a Multicultural Action Center; NAMI FaithNet; Missing Persons Support; and NAMI Legal Support.

African American Mental Health Resources

There are a variety of mental health resources available for people of color, but we have provided a few examples below.

Please note: The resources included here are not endorsed by NAMI, and NAMI is not responsible for the content of or service provided by any of these resources.

Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)
Group aimed at removing the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing. They do this through education, training, advocacy and the creative arts.

Black Men Heal
Limited and selective free mental health service opportunities for Black men.

Black Mental Health Alliance – (410) 338-2642
Provides information and resources and a “Find a Therapist” locator to connect with a culturally competent mental health professional.

Black Mental Wellness
Provides access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective, as well as training opportunities for students and professionals.

Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
BLHF has launched the COVID-19 Free Virtual Therapy Support Campaign to raise money for mental health services provided by licensed clinicians in our network. Individuals with life-changing stressors and anxiety related to the coronavirus will have the cost for up to five (5) individual sessions defrayed on a first come, first serve basis until all funds are committed or exhausted.

Brother You’re on My Mind
An initiative launched by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and NIMHD to raise awareness of the mental health challenges associated with depression and stress that affect African American men and families. Website offers an online toolkit that provides Omega Psi Phi Fraternity chapters with the materials needed to educate fellow fraternity brothers and community members on depression and stress in African American men.<

Ebony’s Mental Health Resources by State
List of Black-owned and focused mental health resources by state as compiled by Ebony magazine.

Henry Health
Provides culturally sensitive self-care support and teletherapy for African American men and their families. Currently in pilot program available only to residents of MD, VA and DC. Residents of other states can join their waiting list and will be notified when Henry Health is available in their state.

Melanin and Mental Health
Connects individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities. Promotes the growth and healing of diverse communities through its website, online directory and events.

Ourselves Black
Provides information on promoting mental health and developing positive coping mechanisms through a podcast, online magazine and online discussion groups.

POC Online Classroom
Contains readings on the importance of self care, mental health care, and healing for people of color and within activist movements.

Sista Afya
Organization that provides mental wellness education, resource connection and community support for Black women.

Therapy for Black Girls
Online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. Offers listing of mental health professionals across the country who provide high quality, culturally competent services to Black women and girls, an informational podcast and an online support community.

Unapologetically Us
Online community for African American women to seek support.

Treatment Directories

• Association of Black Psychologists Directory
• Inclusive Therapists
• LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color Directory
• National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
• Psychology Today Directory of African American Therapists
• Therapy for Black Men

Educational Resources

• Video on understanding the social determinants of health and toxic stress
• Video on the social determinants of toxic stress, specifically race and ethnic toxic stress
• Article on coping with anticipatory grief
• Article on coping with traumatic stress
• APA Best Practices on working with African American/Black patients
• APA Mental Health Facts for African Americans (2017)
• APA Stress & Trauma Toolkit for treating African Americans in a changing political and social environment
• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Page on Achieving Health Equity – Information about why health equity matters and what you can do to help give everyone a fair shot at being as healthy as they can be.

DBSA – Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance
Depression and bipolar disorder can be isolating illnesses, but DBSA support groups can help you connect with others who have been there as well. Visit a DBSA support group and get the support that is essential to recovery.

MHA – Mental Health America
MHA, the leading advocacy organization addressing the full spectrum of mental and substance use conditions and their effects nationwide, works to inform, advocate and enable access to quality behavioral health services for all Americans. MHA’s 240 affiliates in 41 states represent a potent voice for healthy communities throughout the nation.
They offer lots of very readable information about mental illness for those suffering, and those around them.

PEERLINK
PEERLINK is a National Technical Assistance Center, and a program of Mental Health America of Oregon. Peerlink focuses training and technical assistance in three areas: Employment; Financial Self-Sufficiency; and Health and Wellness.

Crisis Lines

Call 911 immediately, or…

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

National Hopeline Network
1-800-442-HOPE (1-800-442-4673)
A program of the Kristin Brooks Hope Center which will connect you with a local counselor or crisis center anytime.

Helpline
1-800-923-4357
For individuals and family members seeking crisis intervention treatment referral and general chemical dependency information.

IM Alive – An Online Crisis Network
https://www.imalive.org/
IMAlive provides online support to people in crisis who are unwilling or unable to make phone calls to our Hopeline Network. The same people who are trained to provide telephone support, as well as people from all over the US and Canada who have no training whatsoever, will now be able to provide the online support that millions of people need.

Special Audiences

Boys Town
1-800-448-3000
For more than 20 years, the Boys Town National Hotline has helped millions of teens, parents and families on the brink of disaster.

Child-Help USA – National Child Abuse Hotline
1.800.4.A.CHILD (1.800.422.4453)
Dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the United States, its territories, and Canada, the Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who, through interpreters, can provide assistance in 170 languages. The Hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are anonymous and confidential.

La Línea Nacional de Esperanza, AYUDA
1-800-SUICIDA (1-800-784-2432)
Es para que todos los de habla hispana, alcancen los siguientes servicios telefónicos en español y de manera gratuita y confidencial: ayuda psicológica, apoyo en momentos de crisis, prevención de suicidio, información y ayuda para obtener servicios otros. Nuestro personal y voluntarios son profesionales, comprensivos y entrenados para que contesten sus llamadas las 24 horas del día, 7 días de la semana y 365 días del año. Tenemos más de 30 agencias y al llamar se le conectara a su agencia más cercana.

Post Partum Moms Project
1-800-PPD-MOMS
Each of the peer support moms on call have been trained by leaders in this field and are networked by the Postpartum Support International group. By calling 800-PPDMOMS new moms who think they may be suffering from PPD can obtain a risk assessment. If they need more help it can and will be sent to them. Also if they are looking to speak to a mom who has been trained as a peer counselor and has suffered PPD/PPP in their life the nearest mom on call will be referred to the caller.

The Trevor Lifeline
1-866-488-7386
The Trevor Projects’ trained counselors are here to support you 24/7. If you are a young person who is in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call The Trevor Lifeline now at 866-488-7386. They also offer support via instant messaging and chat.
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

Young America Hotline
1-877-YOUTHLINE (1-877-968-8454)
If you or someone you know needs help right away, you can call 1.877.YOUTHLINE (968-8454) toll free to talk to a trained youth peer to peer counselor.

Specifically for Veterans

Military Helpline
1-888-457-4838
Free and anonymous 24/7/365. For members of the military, veterans and their families with concerns about benefits, substance abuse, anger, post- traumatic stress, and thoughts of suicide. Texting option also available, text MIL1 to 839863.

Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available.

Veterans Peer Hotline
1-877-VET-2-VET (1-877-838-2838).
If you are a veteran or you know someone who came back from active duty and has trouble with memories and experiences of the war – please call our hotline at 1-877-VET-2-VET (1-877-838-2838).