This page has links to online resources on mental health. The descriptions are excerpted from the organizations’ websites.
These links are provided solely for convenience – DBSA Westchester NY does not recommend or endorse any external organization. Please use your own judgment in consultation with medical professionals in making decisions about what resources to use.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: AFSP raises awareness, funds scientific research and provides resources and aid to those affected by suicide. Their website has pages on finding support and on taking action.
Balanced Mind Parent Network: BMPN is run by the national DBSA organization. It was created to connect parents from across the world who are raising a child living with a mood disorder. Click the link to learn more and to join the network. Membership costs $5 per month.
Crisis Text Line (online/text messaging): The national DBSA organization’s website mentions the Crisis Text Line organization, which provides assistance in crises: text HOME to 741741.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: The national DBSA website has a search feature for finding local support groups such as ours. Their Screening Center in the Education section has online tools for screening for depression, mania, and anxiety. Also of note:
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Online support groups (click the “Change Calendar Time Zone” button above the calendar to set the time zone used for displaying meeting times). Note that the national DBSA online meetings use a third-party site, https://www.supportgroupscentral.com, and you will need to register to join the meetings.
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DBSA’s Balanced Mind Parent Network, which was created to connect parents from across the world who are raising a child living with a mood disorder.
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The Addiction Group prepared a guide to help people with depression and substance use disorder get the help they need.
The guide includes:
- Symptoms of Substance Use Disorder
- Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders
- Treatment for Depression & Co-Occurring Addiction
The guide can be accessed at this link.
Disability Helper: Sensory issues and needs vary widely among individuals. That’s why tools, resources, ideas, and shared experiences can be so valuable. What works for one may not work for another. The following resources may be helpful to persons and parents struggling to deal with sensory issues or to meet sensory needs:
How to Create the Perfect Sensory Room for Your Child
Sensory Processing Hub
Ways to deal with common sensory issues
Families for Depression Awareness: This national non-profit organization based in Massachusetts helps families recognize and cope with depression and bipolar disorder to get people well and prevent suicides. They offer education, training, and support (including free webinars) to unite families and help them heal while living with mood disorders.
Focused Mental Health Resources for the Black Community: The national DBSA organization has partnered with the Mental Health Coalition (MHC), which published this guide to mental health groups working on behalf of the black community. DBSA has also published a statement on “Racism: a threat to our nation’s mental health“. DBSA also has online support groups focused on the black and Latino communities (see their calendar). Their original announcement about this support group included links to several relevant articles:
“Stress and Trauma Toolkit for Treating African Americans in a Changing Political and Social Environment”: American Psychiatric Association
“Mental and Behavioral Health: African Americans”: Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health
“Double Jeopardy: COVID-19 and Behavioral Health Disparities for Black and Latino Communities in the U.S.”: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
“Family & Friends” support group that meets on a third-party site, Hey Peers!; you will need to register to join the meetings.
Health Resources and Services Administration: This U.S. government website lets you search for federally funded health centers that may be able to provide services at reduced cost.
Intelligent.com, an organization that helps students in recovery from substance abuse continue their education, shares that according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 60% of college students use drugs and alcohol. Substance use among college students can diminish academic performance, reduce the likelihood of employment after graduation, and pose serious health risks. We produced a guide that helps students learn about which substances pose the greatest risks to them, the consequences of continuous usage, and steps to overcome addiction. You can view the guide at https://www.intelligent.com/substance-abuse-recovery-support-guide-for-college-students/.
LGBTQ Mental Health Resources: This posting on DBSA’s June 2020 monthly newsletter lists several resources for the LGBTQ community, including The Trevor Project, The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA; insecure web site), The Human Rights Campaign, and PFLAG (originally Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
Mental Health First Aid Training: This organization offers in-person and virtual (online) training in Mental Health First Aid, a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. You can also sign up for their newsletter.
MoneyGeek produced a guide to mental health care, which includes steps to finding a mental health care provider and information on navigating the complexities of health insurance coverage for mental health services. You can view the guide at this link.
National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI’s website has advice related to various aspects of mental illness, as well as a search feature for finding local NAMI support groups. The website for their Westchester, NY branch is https://www.namiwestchester.org.
The Nomad Group (DBSA Greater Hartford) serves “Those Who Wander or are Preparing to Wander with Anxiety, Depression, etc.” Their services include phone meetings with optional video, daily check-in calls, and private, 24×7 Discord channel, an online social/community center. See the Nomad Calendar for dates and times. Please email dbsahartford@gmail.com for more information. Note that the Nomad Calendar lists times in the Mountain time zone.
NST Outreach shares that many are not aware of the connection between PTSD and car accidents, so it is something we wanted to shed some more light on. Not surprisingly, a car accident can be traumatizing for any person involved. It can make getting back behind the wheel seem impossible. That’s why we wanted to make a comprehensive guide about PTSD after car accidents. Check it out: nstlaw.com/guides/ptsd-and-car-accidents.
OnlineMastersDegrees.org shares their guide about suicide awareness and prevention specifically geared towards Master’s degree students. Unfortunately, students in graduate school are disproportionately likely to experience anxiety and depression, which can ultimately lead to more serious mental health concerns. Our hope is that every Master’s student who is, or knows somebody, struggling with their mental health will find our guide and use the extensive, expert-driven information it provides to come out on top. As you’ll see, the guide breaks down the common stressors plaguing graduate students, key risk factors, warning signs, and recommendations for how to help those who are struggling. With as serious an issue as suicide is, there can never be enough support and resources available to those who are struggling. You can view the guide at https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/student-resources/suicide-awareness-and-prevention/.
Speaking of Suicide: This website has links for survivors of suicide and suicide loss, friends and family, medical professionals, and other helpful advice.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: This U.S. government website lets you search for facilities that treat substance abuse and mental health issues, along with other useful information.
The Reviews Team at This Old House created an overview of bedroom design considerations for kids with autism or sensory processing issues. For a child with special needs, their bedroom should always be an environment where they feel safe, comforted, and self-regulated. Design, lighting, colors, textures, and furniture, are all elements that can have a huge impact on children with sensory avoidant or sensory seeking specifications. You can view this helpful resource at this link.