Whether someone has recently been diagnosed or has been living with a mental health challenge for most of their life, the experience can be very isolating for individuals, family members, and other loved ones. No one should suffer in silence. No one ought to feel alone. There are incredible resources available for information, current research, ways to access help, and strategies for reducing the stigma and discrimination that has for much too long served as a barrier to individuals getting the care they deserve and being welcomed as valued members of their community. There are many wonderful resources available at the local, state, and national level. The following can help get you started on a positive path:

Mistakes are proof you are trying

Hotlines, Warmlines, and Other Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. This crisis hotline can help with many issues, not just suicide. Anyone who feels sad, hopeless, or suicidal; family and friends who are concerned about a loved one; or anyone interested in mental health treatment referrals can call the Lifeline. Callers are connected with a professional nearby who will talk with them about what they are feeling or concerns for other family and friends. Call the toll-free Lifeline, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

Crisis Text Line
Available 24/7, 365 days a year, this organization helps people with mental health challenges by connecting callers with trained crisis volunteers who will provide confidential advice, support, and referrals if needed.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education, and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide.

Illinois Warm Line
Wellness Support Specialists are professionals who have experienced mental health and/or substance use recovery in their own lives. They are trained in recovery support, mentoring, and advocacy and are ready to listen and support you,

Call4Calm Mental Health Support Line
Call4Calm offers emotional support via text and can connect you to resources in your community.

  • Text the word ‘TALK’ to 552020 for English (or ‘HABLAR’ for Spanish-language support).

Illinois Crisis and Referral Entry Services (CARES) Crisis Line
Crisis mental health services for children and adolescents; also determines eligibility for Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SASS), intensive mental health services for individuals who may need hospitalization; and refers to community mental health or other services.

  • Website: illinois.gov
  • Phone: 800.345.9049 (TTY: 866.794.0374)

BEACON – Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation
Centralized resource for Illinois youth and families seeking services for behavioral health needs.

  • Website: https://beacon.illinois.gov/

IL Living Rooms
The Living Room Program (LRP) is for individuals in need of a crisis respite program with services and supports designed to proactively divert crises and break the cycle of psychiatric hospitalization. The LRP provides a safe, inviting, home-like atmosphere where individuals can calmly process the crisis event, as well as learn and apply wellness strategies which may prevent future crisis events.

  • Website: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=126349

IL Dept. of Human Services Resources

  • Phone: 800-843-6154
  • Website:https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29735

Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network Crisis Line (RAINN)
24/7 free support for those in crisis and survivors by phone or online through the National Sexual Assault Hotline

The Trevor Project
Counselors available 24/7 to support youth who are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe place to talk. Specializing in supporting the LGBTQI+ community.

Veteran’s Crisis Line
To reach caring, qualified responders within the Department of Veterans Affairs connect with the Veterans Crisis Line. Many responders are Veterans themselves. This free support is confidential, available 24/7, and serves all veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve, and their families and friends.

Veteran’s Guide Resource for VA Disability and Depression

Friendship Line (Adults 60+ or Disabled 18+ and Caregivers)

  • Phone: 800-971-0016 (24/7/365)

AARP Friendly Voice

  • Phone: 888-281-0145

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

  • Phone: 1-800-985-5990
  • Text: “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

Marijuana Anonymous
800-766-6779

Trans Lifeline
877-565-8860

National Grad Crisis Line
877-474-3457

National Domestic Violence Hotline
800.799.7233
Text “start” to 88788

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262)

National Eating Disorders Hotline
800-931-2237

Finding a Behavioral Health Provider

Call 211 or 311 to identify services available in your community.

The National Council for Behavioral Health
Search for organizations that are committed to providing mental health services to anyone in the community who needs it regardless of their ability to pay.

  • Website: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/providers/?region=

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
SAMHSA provides information on mental health services and treatment centers through an online service locator. You can search by your location, whether or not they provide services for youth, payment options (private insurance, cash, or something else), languages spoken, etc.

Resources for Substance Use

The Kennedy Forum Illinois
Works to reduce stigma and to achieve lasting change in the way mental health and addictions are considered and treated. The Kennedy Forum Illinois aims to revolutionize the way mental health care is addressed in America, ending stigma against mental health and substance use disorders in both attitudes and practice.

Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
A Federal agency dedicated to reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

Illinois Helpline for Opioids & Other Substances
If you or someone you know is suffering from an opioid use disorder or other substance use disorders, call the Illinois Helpline for Opioids & Other Substances and speak to a trained professional for support and advice or to be directed to customized resources.

Further Resources

Bring Change 2 Mind Foundation
Founded by Glenn Close and her family for the purpose of ending the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.

Mental Health America (MHA)
Founded in 1909, MHA is dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Information Helpline
Information and referral services Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm

  • Website: nami.org
  • Phone: 800.950.6264 or 312.563.0445 in Chicago

National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH)
A part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), funds and conducts research to help answer important scientific questions about mental illnesses. Through research, NIMH works to determine what is promising, what helps and why, what doesn’t work, and what is safe. NIMH also communicates with scientists, patients, providers, and the general public about the science of mental illnesses based on the latest research.

  • Website: nimh.hih.gov
  • Phone: 866.615.6464 (toll-free) Available in English and Spanish Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET

Jed Foundation
Protecting emotional health and preventing suicide for teens and young adults

  • https://jedfoundation.org/

Active Minds
Mental health advocacy and suicide prevention

  • https://www.activeminds.org/

The Steve Fund (supporting mental health of young people of color)

  • https://www.stevefund.org/