Resources

Why This Exists

To empower individuals and families to navigate the complex landscape of mental health care, reduce stigma, and promote holistic well-being. We believe that by centralizing these resources, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those seeking support.

Join the Conversation: This guide is a living document, constantly evolving to reflect the latest advancements and resources. We encourage you to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, suggesting new additions, and contributing to the collective knowledge that empowers us all.

Together, we can build a more informed and supportive community.

Holistic Health and Wellness Resources – Updated October 2024

Crisis & Immediate Support

Hotlines & Text Lines:

Informational Websites

Core Information & Support

Specialized Information

  • Child Mind Institute: https://childmind.org/ Focuses on children’s mental health, with resources for parents, educators, and professionals.
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): https://afsp.org/ Dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education, and advocacy.
  • National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ Provides support and resources for individuals and families affected by eating disorders.
  • Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA): https://adaa.org/ Offers information, resources, and support for anxiety and depression.
  • The Center for Workplace Mental Health: https://www.workplacementalhealth.org/ Provides resources for employers and employees on creating a mentally healthy work environment.
  • The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN): https://www.nctsn.org/ Provides resources and support for children and families who have experienced trauma.

Specific Populations

  • National Council on Aging (NCOA): https://www.ncoa.org/ Offers a wealth of information, resources, and programs specifically designed to support the well-being of older adults.
  • Administration for Community Living (ACL): https://acl.gov/ A federal agency dedicated to supporting older adults and people with disabilities, with resources on aging, independent living, and caregiving.
  • AARP: https://www.aarp.org/ Provides information, advocacy, and services for people aged 50 and over, including resources on health, caregiving, and community involvement.
  • Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC): https://www.mhanational.org/bipoc-mental-health Culturally relevant information and support for BIPOC communities.
  • LGBTQ+ Communities: https://www.glaad.org/resourcelist Resources specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Young People of Color: https://www.stevefund.org/ Dedicated to supporting the mental health of young people of color.
  • Workplace Mental Health: https://www.mhanational.org/workplace-mental-health Resources for promoting mental well-being in the workplace.
  • The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): https://www.ndrn.org/ Provides legal advocacy and resources for people with disabilities, including information on mental health rights and access to services.
  • The Arc: https://thearc.org/ Advocates for the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with resources on healthcare, advocacy, and community living.
  • Disability.gov: [invalid URL removed] A comprehensive resource for people with disabilities, with information on healthcare, employment, education, and independent living.
  • World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response12 Provides information on global mental health initiatives.
  • United for Global Mental Health: https://unitedgmh.org/ Advocacy organization working to increase investment in mental health care.

Government Resources

Online Screening Tools

Online Support Groups and Peer Forums:

  • Shatterproof: Ending the devastation of addiction. https://www.shatterproof.org/
  • The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Research and information on drug abuse. https://www.drugabuse.gov/
  • Faces & Voices of Recovery: Advocacy and support for recovery. https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/
  • NEXT Distro: Harm reduction supplies and information. https://nextdistro.org/
  • In The Rooms: intherooms.com – This platform is dedicated to online recovery meetings, with a wide variety of groups, including 12-step, non-12-step, and those specific to different substances or demographics. It’s a great option for finding a community that fits your needs.
  • SMART Recovery: smartrecovery.org – While they offer in-person meetings, SMART Recovery has a strong online presence with online meetings, message boards, and chat rooms. Their focus is on evidence-based approaches and self-empowerment.
  • Refuge Recovery: refugerecovery.org – Refuge Recovery, with its roots in Buddhist principles, offers online support and meetings.
  • Living Secular Recovery: lifering.org – This organization hosts online meetings and forums for those seeking a secular approach.
  • Women for Sobriety: womenforsobriety.org – This organization focuses on supporting women in recovery.
  • Celebrate Recovery: celebraterecovery.com – A Christian faith-based approach to recovery.
  • Recovery Dharma: recoverydharma.org – This organization provides online meetings and resources based on Buddhist teachings
  • NAMI Support Groups: https://nami.org/Support-Education/Support-Groups Peer-led support groups for voices and visions navigation.
  • The Mighty: https://themighty.com/ Online community for people with mental illness and chronic conditions.
  • 7 Cups: https://www.7cups.com/ Connects users with trained listeners for emotional support.
  • The Support Network: https://thesupportnetwork.org/ Offers peer support groups for various challenges.
  • DBSA: https://www.dbsalliance.org/support/chapters-and-support-groups/online-support-groups/5 Offers online support groups for people with mood disorders.
  • SARDAA: https://sczaction.org/sardaa/ Provides online resources and support for people with schizophrenia and psychosis.

Mental & Emotional Well-being

  • American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org/ Leading organization for psychology with information and resources.
  • Crisis Text Line: https://www.crisistextline.org/ Provides mental health crisis support via text message.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/ Advocates for people with mental illness and their families.
  • Psych Central: https://psychcentral.com Provides articles and information on mental health topics.
  • Headspace: https://www.headspace.com Provides guided meditations and mindfulness exercises.
  • Substance Use & Addiction
  • American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM): https://www.asam.org Professional society for addiction medicine, promoting treatment & prevention.
  • Drug Policy Alliance: https://drugpolicy.org/ Advocacy organization working to reform drug policy in the U.S.
  • National Harm Reduction Coalition: https://harmreduction.org/resource-center/ Advocates for reducing the harm associated with drug use.
  • SAMHSA National Helpline: [invalid URL removed]) Connects people with substance abuse and mental health treatment resources.

TicTok Frequents

Dr. Julie Smith (@drjuliesmith): A clinical psychologist making mental health topics easy to understand with simple explanations and visuals.

Shani Tran (@shanitran): A licensed therapist who offers a culturally inclusive approach to mental health and challenges traditional views.

Lindsay Fleming (@lindsay.fleminglpc): A licensed therapist who normalizes therapy and reduces stigma through relatable content.

Elyse Myers (@elysemyers): Uses humor and honesty to share her mental health journey and encourage open conversations.

Micheline Maalouf (@michelinemaalouf): A therapist who blends mental health with a wider approach to wellness, including self-care and boundaries.

X it is

@ElyseFox: Elyse is the founder of Sad Girls Club, a non-profit supporting mental wellness for young women of color. Her tweets are relatable, honest, and often focus on self-care and community.

@CharliHoward: A model and activist, Charli challenges unrealistic beauty standards and promotes body positivity. She’s open about her own struggles with eating disorders and mental health, making her relatable to many young people.

@DrJenaLester: Dr. Lester is a licensed psychologist who uses Twitter to share mental health tips, resources, and insights in an accessible way.

@TheMindGeek: This account, run by a young mental health advocate, offers a mix of informative threads, personal reflections, and helpful resources on various mental health topics.

@KevinLove: While a professional basketball player might not be the first thing that comes to mind, Kevin Love has been incredibly open about his struggles with anxiety and depression. He uses his platform to destigmatize mental health and encourage others to seek help.

Important Note: It’s always good to be mindful of who you follow online. Even with good intentions, social media can sometimes negatively impact mental health. Remember to curate your feed with accounts that make you feel positive and supported.

Books

Join our book club and let’s dive deep into stories together. Head to our contact page, reach out and let’s get reading.  The following are just some of our recent favs!

Our Recent Fav’s…

  • The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk – Explores the impact of trauma on the body and mind.
  • You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay – Focuses on the mind-body connection and self-healing.
  • The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – Spiritual guide to living in the present moment.
  • Daring Greatly by Brené Brown – Explores vulnerability, shame, and courage.
  • The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz – Offers a code of conduct for personal freedom.
  • Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl – A reflection on life in Nazi concentration camps and finding meaning in suffering.
  • Conscious Medicine by Gill Edwards – Help yourself & others heal.
  • The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama, and Desmond Tutu –   Authors discuss the challenges of living a joyful life.
  • Quantum Healing by Deepak Chopra – On  how to live a happier, more fulfilled life
  • The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton – argues that you have more control over your health and genetic expression than you think
  • The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown – A guide to embracing imperfections and living wholeheartedly
  • Breath by James Nestor – Understanding the Science of breathing and its emotional and physical benefits
  • The Herbal Apothecary by Rosemary Gladstar – Comprehensive guide to herbal medicine.
  • Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford – Explores the healing properties of food.
  • The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants by Matthew Wood – In-depth look at traditional herbs.
  • The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Vasant Lad – Offers natural remedies based on Ayurvedic principles.
  • Modern Mushroom Medicine Made Easy by Erin Dolittle, MA MFT-  Local Connecticut Advocate and pioneer talks about mushrooms and all of their healing properties.
  • The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – A spiritual allegory about following one’s dreams.
  • The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler – Practical guide to finding happiness.
  • Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés – Explores the wild feminine archetype.
  • The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff – Philosophical exploration of Winnie-the-Pooh.
  • The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg – Understanding how habits are formed and changed.
  • Atomic Habits by James Clear – Practical guide to building good habits.
  • The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod – Morning routine for personal transformation.
  • The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman – Understanding different ways of expressing love.
  • Motherless Daughters by Hope Edelman: A poignant exploration of the enduring impact of maternal loss on women’s lives.
  • Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Mark Williams and Danny Penman – Introduction to mindfulness meditation.

Documentaries/Movies

Mind/Game: The Unquiet Journey of Chamique Holdsclaw: A raw look at the mental health struggles of athletes.

The Masks We Wear: Unveiling the Faces Behind Mental Health Conditions.

Connected: Discovering the healing power of human connection.

How to Change Your Mind: Exploring the potential of psychedelics for mental health wellness.

Fantastic Fungi: Uncovering the magic of fungi and their link to human well-being.

Inside Out: A Pixar animated film that beautifully illustrates the complexities of human emotions.

Silver Linings Playbook: A heartwarming comedy-drama exploring bipolar disorder and relationships.

It’s a Beautiful Day: A documentary about the life of artist and mental health advocate, Daniel Johnston.

Crazy/Beautiful: A coming-of-age drama that touches on bipolar disorder.

The Social Dilemma: While not directly about mental health, this documentary explores the impact of social media on our well-being and relationship

Music

Music and mental health: a match made in heaven (or at least, a really good playlist).

Do you believe that every soul has a soundtrack? We’re on the hunt for a team of music maestros to join our mission.  If you think you can rock this role, have a few hours a month to volunteer your time.. Please reach out today.

You asked… we researched…. Here ya go….

Looking for reliable sources to help you navigate the world of products and medicine!? 

General Product & Company Information:

Medicine & Health:

  • MedlinePlus: (https://medlineplus.gov/) This website from the National Institutes of Health provides reliable information on a wide range of health topics.
  • Mayo Clinic: (https://www.mayoclinic.org/) This website offers comprehensive health information, including disease descriptions, symptoms, treatments, and research updates.
  • WebMD: (https://www.webmd.com/) This website provides information on various health conditions, drugs, and treatments, along with interactive tools and resources.
  • RxList: (https://www.rxlist.com/) This website offers detailed information about prescription drugs, including side effects, interactions, and dosage information.
  • Drugs.com: (https://www.drugs.com/) This website provides information on prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as drug interactions and pill identification tools.

Environmental Impact:

  • Environmental Working Group (EWG): (https://www.ewg.org/) This organization researches and provides information on the safety of various products, including cosmetics, cleaning products, and food.
  • Skin Deep Cosmetics Database: (https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/) This database from EWG provides safety ratings for thousands of personal care products.

Additional Tips for Evaluating Information:

Consult with experts: If you have specific questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to consult with a qualified professional.  Remember, being an informed consumer requires critical thinking and a discerning eye. By utilizing these resources and evaluating information carefully, you can make informed decisions about the products you use and the information you trust !! Please let us know if you have any more you would like us to add. And thank you SO much for all of your contributions!!!!!! 

Consider the source: Look for information from reputable organizations, government agencies, or academic institutions.

Check for bias: Be aware that some sources may have a particular agenda or bias.

Look for evidence-based information: Seek out information that is supported by scientific research and data.

Read multiple sources: Don’t rely on a single source for information. Compare information from different sources to get a well-rounded perspective. YOU GOT THIS!!