I’m super proud of you for identifying a need you have. Here’s a list of small things you can do to start:

Feeling overwhelmed? Find a trusted person to talk to about what you’re going through. You’re not alone and getting it off your chest makes the weight a little bit lighter.

If you’re in school, see if free or discounted counseling is available for students.

Have health insurance? Take a deep breath, call your insurance and ask what mental health services are covered in your plan. It may seem like a lot of effort now, but finding someone in your plan helps with financial stress.

Don’t have insurance? Search up online mental health services specifically for those who aren’t covered or have accessible payment plans for your state.

Find mental health online spaces that feel validating. Try out different mental health podcasts, guided meditations, and positive affirmations. I found it helpful to seek out creators who were open about their journey.

If you’re seeking out professional mental health care, keep these definitions in mind:

Psychiatrist: a medical doctor who can prescribe psychiatric medications. Some also provide talk support therapy.

Clinical Psychologist/Therapist: a trained mental health professional who provides specific therapies for different psychiatric conditions. They cannot prescribe medication on their own.

Make a few appointments at a time. Mental health care is in high demand and it can be difficult to make appointments short notice.

For your first appointment: It’s okay to feel nervous, scared, or uncomfortable. I found it helpful to keep telling myself “I’m doing this so I can feel better.” Give yourself a few sessions to get used to how therapy feels. If your provider doesn’t feel supportive or doesn’t click after a few sessions, you’re allowed to request a new one.

I have compiled a list apps, online accounts, books, shows, movies, etc that have helped me process difficult experiences or gave me a new perspective. Access it here.

Determine if you or this person you know is at risk of harm to themselves or others. If you think they might be, seek out support via a crisis line. Calling or texting 988 in the United States will connect you to an trained emergency mental crisis specialist who can help you form an individual plan. Afterwards, make sure you have space to debrief from the experience, as it can be emotionally difficult to process.

Please check out the following resources for direct links to resources for those living in the US:

Center for Disease Control & Prevention

Substance Abuse Treatment Center Directory

Mental Health First Aid Directory by Concern

Please check out this directory of resources for those living in Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

Please check out this collection of minority mental health resources:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention List

National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color List

I am actively working on securing some special pricing for community members to access mental health tools. Coming soon! :)