Online Mental Health Resources
At WYFS, our mission is to do the best we can to provide for the youth of Wayland. This includes in-person mental health and safety resources for children and families, and giving a voice to youth in the community as well as promoting togetherness and community for all.
In addition to that, however, there are many free online resources for both students and parents who are struggling or wish to learn more about mental health, depression, anxiety, substance use, and other related topics. Some of these are educational, meant to provide you with new tool and knowledge for mental health and wellness. Some are resources to get help if you feel like you or someone you know could benefit from it.
If you are struggling with mental health or substance use, or know someone who is, you are not alone. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions or need help. We are here for YOU! ♡
24/7 CRISIS HOTLINES:
National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
This crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day. Phone calls are transferred to trained counselors to provide help 24/7.
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386.
Free and confidential mental health crisis hotline for LGBTQ+ or questioning youth.
Other Helpful Phone Numbers:
American Psychiatric Association Answer Center: 1-888-35-PSYCH (1-888-357-7924)
Live operators, from 8:30am-6pm ET, can refer you to local board-certified psychiatrists.
American Psychological Association Public Education Line: 1-800-964-2000
Follow the automated instructions and press 1 for an operator to refer you to a local board-certified psychologist.
General Mental Health Facts:
These resources can help you learn the facts about mental health and mental disorders, and provide tools and resources to break stigmas or get help.
National Council for Behavioral Health
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health provides statistics pertaining to mental illnesses, including data by age, gender, race, and other factors.
The WHO website contains information on the global burden of disease in various parts of the world, including burden due to mental disorders. It provides projections into future years, when the global burden of mental illness is expected to greatly increase.
Resources for Depression:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
National Alliance on Mental Illness
This website has been evaluated in a scientific trial, and was found to be effective in relieving depression symptoms if worked through systematically. This site teaches you to use ways of thinking that can help prevent or fight depression.
Resources for Bipolar, Schizophrenia, and Psychosis:
Pendulum is a nonprofit organization providing information on bipolar disorder. The website includes book recommendations and reviews, discussion forums, articles, and links to other resources.
This website provides information, support, and education to family members, caregivers, and individuals whose lives have been affected by schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America - sardar.org/schizophrenics-anonymous
This support group is comprised of self-help groups established to support the recovery of people who experience schizophrenia and other related disorders. This website lists locations of self-help groups.
Resources for Eating Disorders:
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
This site includes information about eating disorders, how to seek treatment, and support groups for people suffering from eating disorders, and families of people suffering with eating disorders.
National Eating Disorders Association
This site has stories of recovery from eating disorders, information about seeking treatment, and additional resources for school professionals and caregivers.
The SAMHSA website has resources and links to information about eating disorders.
Support Groups:
Following a 12-step approach, Eating Disorders Anonymous can help people struggling with any eating disorder. The website lists meetings nationwide.
Also following a 12-step approach, Overeaters Anonymous can help people struggling with compulsive eating and binge eating. The website lists meetings nationwide.
Self-Injury Resources:
This website covers a wide range of mental health problems including or related to self-injury, and options for psychiatric or therapeutic resources.
S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self-Abuse Finally Ends)
S.A.F.E Alternatives is a residential treatment option for people who engage in self-injury. The website provides informative resources about self-injury and about starting treatments. Informational Hotline: 1-800-366-8288.
Resources for Anxiety + OCD:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Anxiety Panic Attack Resource Site
This site provides information pertaining to a variety of treatments and resources for anxiety. This site also provides questionnaires, links to treatment resources, a message board, and lists helpful publications.
This website provides information about emotional problems, including depression and anxiety disorders. It provides evidence-based online intervention methods, designed to equip the user with strategies to improve mood and emotional state, along with a workbook to track progress and record emotions.
The Freedom from Fear website provides information, screening tools, and other resources on many types of anxiety disorders.
Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
This website includes information about obsessive-compulsive disorder, including information about effective treatments, how to find a health professional who has experience treating the disorder, and links to other helpful websites.
Mental Health America’s website has information on mental health, getting help, and taking action.
Resources for Substance Use:
This website, created by the CDC, provides ideas about how to stop using tobacco. Includes downloadable resources, and contacts for online or phone counseling.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
This website features information on local resources for getting help for a substance use concern, fact sheets, and further information for friends, family members, parents, and youth on having a national conversation about substance use.
National Institute on Alcoholic Abuse and Alcoholism
The National Institute on Alcoholic Abuse and Alcoholism is the lead agency for US research on alcohol use disorders & health effects.
National Institute on Drug Abuse - nada.nih.gov
Provides links to information for all about drug use of all types.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The SAMHSA website has information about substance use disorders of all kinds. It has information for the public, including families, schools, health professionals, and individuals. It also includes a treatment finder to locate a substance use treatment provider in your area.
These website was developed by the BU School of Public Health. They provide online tests about your own, or someone else’s, level of drug use, including advice about cutting down or getting professional treatment.
Support Groups:
Both websites provide information and support for the family members of people with alcohol problems; includes lists of meetings in the US and Canada
Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous
These websites can help give you information on Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous and will give you the website and contact info for groups in your area.
American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse
This searchable database of more than 1,100 self-help and caregiver support groups includes many for addictions and other substance use disorders. Also listed are research studies, information on starting face-to-face and online support groups, and a registry for anyone interested in starting national or international self-help groups.