Free Mental Health Resources
Whether you are coping with anxiety or depression or just need someone to talk to, there are many resources to help you through. An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older (about 1 in 4 adults) suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. In addition, in the United States, almost half of adults (46.4%) will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. 5% of adults (18 or older) experience a mental illness in any one year. You are not alone.
There is never shame in getting or asking for help. Friday Health Plans has gathered a list of free resources for you, and we support you in your journey. We know it can be hard.
Resources Available through Friday Health Plans:
Regardless of what you’re going through, know that we’ve got your mental health covered at Friday Health Plans.
Many Friday plans offer unlimited mental health counseling visits at $0 (all Silver, Gold, and Some Bronze plans). Find a therapist near you. All Friday members can also use Teledoc for $0 counseling sessions 24/7 by phone or video if they are over 18 years old.
Please note that $0 visits are for counseling only and do not extend to other mental health services like in-patient stays and visits where medications are prescribed. This means these costs will go towards your deductible. However, we cover many generic brands of prescriptions! Search here to see what is covered in your Friday health plan.
Be sure to double-check your coverage on your member portal to check your coverage.
Crisis Lines:
Mental Health of America Crisis Line
- Do you need to talk to someone immediately? Do you want to call for someone else or yourself? Trained crisis workers will listen and direct you to resources. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.
Veteran Crisis Line:
- Supporting our veterans is highly important. Are you a veteran, or do you know a veteran in crisis? You can contact the Veteran Crisis line via chat or phone here. Responders are caring and qualified members of the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Treatment Referral Routing Service
- Provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Crisis Text Line
- Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free 24/7 support via text. Send “NAMI” to 741-741 to get started.
Trans Lifeline
- A line run explicitly by and for transgender individuals seeking advice and support. Call 877-565-8860
LGBT National Hotline
- LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) people can find support, affirmation, respect, acceptance, and aid when contacting this hotline. Call 888-843-4564 or visit their website.
Youth Talkline
- This line is designed to support LGBTQIA+ youth. It is confidential and supports those 25 and younger. Call 800-246-7743
Demographic Specific Resources:
LGBTQIA+ Resources:
Did you know that LGBTQIA+ members (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) are TWICE as likely to experience a mental health condition? If you are a member of this community, finding help is very attainable. The following are resources available to you:
- Trevor Project: offers resources to queer and trans youth, including crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Text “START” to 678678 to reach the 24-hour line.
- The Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists: join a virtual meet-up and get peer support
- The LGBT National Help Center: get help through text, phone, and chat
- The National Center for Transgender Equality: offers transgender individuals resources and information through blogs and self-help guides
Resources for Men:
Did you know that men with mental illnesses are less likely to have received mental health treatment than women? You deserve care, and you can break the stereotypes.
Here are some resources:
- Man Therapy: take the head inspection quiz to learn how to improve your mental health or access the crisis line
- Heads up Guys: a resource to help men struggling with depression with self-help resources and a peer blog to see similar stories
Resources for Women:
Many mental health conditions, such as depression and bipolar disorder, affect more women than men or affect women differently. You may not be able to prevent a mental health condition, but you can take steps to protect and support your mental health throughout your life. Here are some helpful resources:
- The U.S. Department of Health of Humans Services Office of Mental Health Women’s Mental Health Resources: gives a list of resources for specific disorders and general recommendations for coping and care
- MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health: provides resources for women experiencing post-partum conditions, menopause, and other struggles
Resources for Black/African Americans:
According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress, such as sadness, hopelessness, and feeling like everything is an effort. Only one in three Black adults who need mental health care will seek or receive it. Reference the following resources for more information and aid:
- Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM): find local resources and toolkits for support and outreach, link with a peer today
- Black Men Heal: offers select free services for Black men, such as therapy and education
- Black Mental Wellness: find facts sheets, podcasts, and more
- Melanin and Mental Health: lists podcasts, videos, books, and more to help you navigate your mental health
- Ourselves Black: provides information on promoting mental health and developing positive coping mechanisms
- Sista Afya: contains information and support for Black women like fact sheets, social support, and healing options
- Therapy for Black Girls: follow their podcast for the shared experiences you’ve been seeking weekly and get support from the amazing community they have built
- The Steve Fund: gives mental health support to young people of color such as seminars/workshops and a blog featuring young people’s journeys
Resources for Hispanic/Latinx People:
- Approximately 34% of Hispanic/Latinx adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 45%. This is due to many unique barriers to care, such as language barriers, poverty/lack of health care coverage, legal status, and more. Here are resources to help break the barrier to care. Mental Health America’s Resources for Latinx/Hispanic Communities: mental health Spanish-speaking resources, including a list of Spanish-language materials and Spanish-language screening tools
- Melanin and Mental Health: promotes the growth and healing of diverse communities through its website, online directory, and events
Resources for Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders (AAPI):
AAPIs have the lowest help-seeking rate of any racial/ethnic group. Only 23.3% of AAPI adults with a mental illness receiving treatment. AAPI communities experience the “model minority” stereotype that puts pressure to adjust and thrive easily. Here are some great resources:
- NAMI Family & Friends: video and webinar material on mental health offered in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese
- NAMI Support Groups: peer-led and offers participants an opportunity to share their experiences and gain support from other attendees
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) — Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders: view videos, read blogs, and access screening tools
- Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI): offers help in four languages (Traditional Chinese, Hindi, Korean, and Vietnamese)
- Asian Mental Health Collective: Get the support you need through projects like Facebook groups, crisis hotlines, resource libraries, and meet-up groups
- Asian Pride Project: support for the LGBTQIA+ AAPI community and allies including videos, blogs, and supportive materials for those in the community
Resources for People with Disabilities:
Sixty-one million people in the U.S. live with a disability, many of whom struggle with mental health. Use this resource to help you:
- The CDC’s Mental Health for People with Disabilities Page: provides rights, supports, and education. Search through the resources at the end of the page for coping mechanisms for things like anxiety.
Resources for Veterans/Active Duty:
Nearly one out of four activity duty members showed signs of a mental health condition. The following resources can help military personnel and those who have transitioned to civilian life:
- Military One Source: fall 1-800-342-9647 to speak with a confidential counselor that are available for service members and their families
- Real Warriors: a site that offers support and shared experiences to active duty, veterans, family members, and more
- Veteran Transition Support: helps with adjusting and returning to civilian society, including free programs and the opportunity to connect with other veterans
Resources for Neurodiverse People:
Neurodiverse people experience things differently, meaning that they think or behave in a “non-typical way” and are often autistic or have similar diagnoses. Get help with this resource:
- Project LETS: offers peer support for neurodiverse people who are struggling with mental health
Resources for Young Adults and Teens:
Mental health conditions are common among teens and young adults. 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses develop by age 14, and 75% develop by age 24. Do you feel afraid to ask specific questions? Try these resources below:
- Visit Ask Alice!: a question and answer site with an extensive database of questions geared towards emotion and other health conditions for young adults.
- Young Women’s Health: ask questions through email or phone, and get access to various health guides
- Young Men’s Health: submit questions and find parents guides
- Jed Foundation: text or phone support for college students line and blog
- Reach Out: connect with others through the discussion boards and find apps to help guide you
- Teens Health: gives information, suggestions on coping, and more on mental health
Resources for Family Members and Caregivers:
When you support someone struggling with a mental illness, it is important to remember that you are not and you deserve care too. Learn more about giving the best aid to someone and how you can be supported here.
Complimentary Resources for Everyone:
Screenings and worksheets from Mental Health America
Getting screened is one of the fastest ways to figure out if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Here are a few screening tools from Mental Health America, along with worksheets to help you along the way.
- Mental Health Test: get help to determine whether you are experiencing a mental health condition and find resources for treatment
- Stress Screening: find out the degree of stress you have been experiencing and resources to help manage stress
- Worksheets: use these worksheets to help you track changes, keep you grounded, and more.
See that you are not alone by viewing other’s stories:
Healthtalk.org shares thousands of experiences of mental health through video. View the videos here.
Friday is Here for You.
Mental health is ESSENTIAL to your overall health and wellbeing. We want you to be the happiest and healthiest self you can be. We hope you take advantage of the resources we have shared!
Have any questions or concerns? Contact our Care Crew for help!