30+ Free and Low-Cost Mental Health Resources To Know In Your Area

Looking for mental health resources in your area? Check out this list of 30+ organizations and hotlines to support your mental health journey.

Note: I am not a mental health professional. The information presented in this article should not be used for self-diagnosis or to replace a medical diagnosis from a mental health professional or your primary care physician. The following information is for educational purposes only.

Today marks the final day in my Mental Health Awareness Week blog series, and I’m ending it with this list of free mental health resources. Furthering your knowledge of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and dementia will help you better support anyone suffering from mental health conditions. Knowing which free resources are available in your neighborhood, state, and country for people struggling with mental health is essential. 

According to data from the nonprofit organization Project Hope, about 25% of people globally have one or more mental health illnesses. Let’s put this into perspective. About 8 billion people are populating the world. If we do that math, that means that 2 billion people are suffering from mental health illnesses who may or may not have access to mental health resources. 

People with mental health illnesses and disorders deserve instant access to resources from therapy to self-care and coping mechanisms. So, I’m sharing a list of mental health resources in the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Asia, and India that you have free access to. 

Free & Low-Cost Resources For Mental Health

In The United States

General CrisIS lINES

• 988 Suicide Crisis Line: If you or a loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please utilize this hotline to speak to a mental health crisis counselor. These counselors are available 24 hours and seven days a week. You can now call or text 988 to reach them.
• Crisis Text Line: Whether you’re experiencing a panic attack or have been experiencing a depressive slump, the crisis text line is available to anyone who wishes to seek help via text message. Text home to 741741 for free to speak to someone. 
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: This helpline is run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. They provide free and confidential services to anyone who reaches out to them. This organization specializes in treatment referral and information services for anyone who has struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and mental health illnesses. 
• NAMI Helpline: The NAMI helpline is a 24-hour crisis line available to anyone in the United States. 
• The National Grad Crisis Line: American grad students struggling with thoughts of despair and hopelessness can call 1-877-472-3457
• Veterans Crisis Line: This mental health resource is available to all veterans. You can call, text, or chat online with a mental health professional who specializes in working with veteran personnel. 
• Postpartum Support International: Helps parents struggling with Postpartum Depression. Call 1-800-944-4773 or text “Help” to 800-944-4773 (EN) and 971-203-7773 for Spanish.
• After Silence: After Silence offers a free message board to survivors of rape, sexual assault, abuse, and incest. To access the message board, you must create a free account using an email and password. The board is entirely anonymous, and the administrators keep your information safe. 
• Daily Strength: This free mental health resource is for people struggling with thoughts of self-harm. Like the organization After Silence, the site uses a message board to allow people to express themselves and their ideas and seek help. 
• NYC Well: NYC Well is a free mental health resource available to anyone in New York City struggling to manage their mental health. It was created during the pandemic and helps city residents access free crisis lines, therapists, and other resources. 

LGBTQIA+ Specific Lines and Resources

• The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults access mental health resources and serve as a suicide prevention line. They educate, train, and advocate for the mental health rights of this community. You can call 1.866.488.7386, text START to 678-678, or chat free online at TrevorChat.
• Trans Lifeline: This nonprofit organization helps trans people experiencing crisis access emotional and financial support. All staff working on the hotline are trans or nonbinary and can answer any questions or help with any mental health crisis relating to being trans.
• SAGE: Helps LGBTQIA+ elderly folks struggling with thoughts of suicide and gain access to mental health resources. You can call 77-360-LGBT(5428) to connect to their hotline.
• TrevorSpace: An online international peer-to-peer community for LGBTQ young people and their friends.
• Rainbow Better: A nonprofit helping LGBTGIA+ people access friendly resources and social services.
• The Steve Fund Crisis: Helps young people of color who identify as LGBTQIA+ gain access to trained mental health professionals when feeling down or mentally disturbed. Text STEVE to 741741 for support.

Gender-Specific Resources

• Therapy For Black Men: A nonprofit dedicated to helping black men break the stereotypes and stigmas around men and mental health by providing free access to millions of therapists and services that work especially for black men.
• Women In Distress: A resource for women struggling with mental health or domestic violence. Call the 24-hour crisis hotline at 954-761-1133.
• Women Helping Women: An online mental health resource for women struggling with gender-based violence. Call the 24-hour Hotline at 513.381.5610 or toll-free at 1.877.889.5610 for immediate assistance.
• Man Therapy: A nonprofit dedicated to helping men get the needed therapy services.
• Therapy For Black Girls: A nonprofit helping black women break stereotypes and stigmas around black mental health by providing free access to millions of therapists and services that work especially for black women and girls. This resource also shares excellent ways for black women to take better care of themselves through self-care.
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Helps pregnant women and new moms deal with overwhelming emotions associated with childbirth. Call or text 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS).

In The United Kingdom

• Mind: Mind is a nonprofit organization in the UK dedicated to helping anyone and everyone with their mental health. They offer several services, including an infoline, legal help, and information services. They also provide professional training and frequently advocate for the rights of those suffering from mental health illnesses. 
• Samaritans: Samaritans is a free crisis line in the UK and a significant mental health resource to write down. You can contact this organization in several ways, such as via email, mail, phone, or their self-help app. 
• NHS: The NHS is one of England’s most extensive health services. They offer help in finding immediate assistance to those who urgently need help. Their website also has a ton of information on various mental health illnesses and ways you can learn how to self-manage them. 
• Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line: Rethink is a free mental health service that provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, including health professionals, employers, and staff.
• Sideline: Sideline is another crisis helpline located in England and the UK. They provide information and services and educate people struggling with mental health and their support systems. 
• The Mix: The Mix is a free mental health service available to teens and young adults between 13 to 25 who live in England and the UK. They offer support and education on various mental health illnesses such as Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorders, and Bipolar Disorder. In addition, counseling and peer services are available via web chat, text, or phone. 
• YoungMinds: YoungMinds is a nonprofit mental health charity in the UK that works with young people and parents. They offer a range of mental health and educational services, such as counseling, training, and courses. 
• Give Us A Shout: A free and confidential crisis text line for people in the United Kingdom.
• Mental Health At Work: This organization focuses on the mental health status of UK employees in the workplace. They offer education and accessible mental health resources and toolkits on their website. 
• Children’s Society: A nonprofit organization focused on improving children’s mental health in the UK. They offer information and services for various mental health illnesses and other causes such as sex trafficking, abuse, etc. 

In South Africa

• South African Federation For Mental Health: A human rights organization focused on the mental health of South African people. Their main goal is to help people in that region access necessary mental health services and information. They work with people of all ages. 
• South African Depression and Anxiety Group: The SADAG is one of the largest mental health advocacy groups in South Africa. Their website is packed with lists, resources, and tools. 
• Lifeline South Africa: A 24-hour counseling line
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0800 567 567 if you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts
• 24HR Substance Abuse Hotline: Call 0800 12 13 14 if you or a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse 
• Perinatal Mental Health Project: This mental health organization focuses on the needs of pregnant and postnatal people who don’t have access to free or low-cost mental health resources. 
• Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative: Although not in South Africa, MANI is one of Nigeria’s largest mental health organizations. They work with young adults, teens, and children to fight the stigma against mental health in their area. 

You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.

Dan Millman

In Asia & India

• SOS (Samaritans of Singapore): 24HR suicide prevention hotline in Singapore. Call 1800 221 4444 if you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts or tendencies and live in Singapore. 
• Befrienders: A free mental health service in Malaysia offering emotional support to anyone struggling to manage their mental health. They offer phone, email, and in-person support. 
• #ThereisHelp at National Centre for Mental Health Crisis Hotline: Call 1553 (+63) 917-899-8727 or (02) 7-989-8727 if you or someone you know in the Philippines is struggling with their mental health. 
• Tell Lifeline: A Japanese and English-speaking mental health hotline for people struggling with mental health in Japan. This service is free, confidential, and available to people of all ages, including children. 
• ROSHNI: Free crisis hotline in India. Call (+914) 066202000 If you or someone you know in India is struggling with mental health, drug abuse, or suicide.
• The Vandrevala Foundation: An Indian nonprofit organization helping anyone living in India to access mental health resources. They raise awareness advocate for more mental health services, and offer a free helpline. 
• NIMHANS: A mental health institute in India offering a free hotline for people recovering from emergency disasters. 
• SNEHA Foundation Trust: A nonprofit organization offering suicide prevention services in India. They have a free hotline for anyone suffering from a mental health crisis or wanting to commit suicide. 
• Fortis Stress Hotline: A free mental health hotline for students and parents to utilize during exams. Call 08376804102 if you or your child is struggling with mental health during those stressful times. 

Apps and Online Services

• BetterHelp: An affordable way to get connected with an online therapist.
• Nuna: A mental health companion app that helps you learn and develop coping skills.
• Everyellow: A mental health fitness app that uses audio-liked podcasts to help destress you.
• Journey Coach: A virtual guided journaling app with prompts for every mental health or wellness-themed topic.
• Regain: Similar to BetterHelp, but they also offer couple’s therapy.

Why Is It Important To Know These Mental Health Resources?

Depending on where you live, there may be limited free or low-cost mental health services you can utilize during a mental health crisis. Knowing and learning about which resources are available near you keeps you informed and helps you identify where you need to go if you or a loved one suffers from mental health illnesses such as Depression or Anxiety. 

While I may have some listed free or low-cost mental health resources in the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Asia, and India, many mental health resources are near your hometown or county. Please don’t be afraid to research what’s near you in your free time. Regardless of where you live, your mental health matters, and it’s essential to take proactive steps towards ensuring that you’re prepared for when you may need them.

Are there any mental health resources I should add to the list? Let me know in the comments.