Share on Pinterest Sure, pretty much everyone could benefit from therapy. But not everyone can afford it. Thankfully, there’s a whole world of free or affordable mental health care out there designed to help you with just about every issue. Whether your issue is kicking an addiction, managing your emotions, finding a group of like-minded peers, or recovering from trauma, affordable help is available. Even better? Some of these resources are available whenever you need them. We’ve rounded up 80 of the very best affordable (or free) mental health resources. Keep this list handy for whenever you need support.

Hotlines and call centers 36. Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center Get support now: 1-888-694-2273 If you’ve been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), or you have a hunch you or a loved one may be displaying symptoms of BPD, this hotline may be able to help. It provides education about BPD and connects you to established resources for treatment and support. The Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center hotline is monitored by certified social workers. They can provide immediate over-the-phone crisis counseling and can refer you to local resources in your area. 37. Disaster Distress Hotline Get support now: 1-800-985-5990 If you’re a survivor of a disaster (whether caused by nature or man), this is your go-to contact for all things related to counseling and relief. The trained counselors staffing the Disaster Distress Hotline provide help to those experiencing distress in the wake of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, droughts, and earthquakes, as well as incidences of mass violence or health epidemics. The call center is also open to friends and family members of survivors of disaster. An alternative way to connect: Text “TalkWithUs” to 66746. 38. Friendship Line Get support now: 1-800-971-0016 Friendship Line is the Institute on Aging’s 24-hour toll-free crisis line for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. This nationwide hotline reaches out to lonely, depressed, isolated, frail older adults who are depressed, and who may be considering suicide. Trained volunteers offer a caring ear and a friendly conversation with depressed older adults. They provide emotional support as well as active suicide intervention. They also provide information and referrals, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, and grief support. In addition to receiving incoming calls on the hotline, Friendship Line also reaches out to eligible callers by connecting with them on a regular basis and helping monitor their physical and mental health. 39. LGBT National Help Line Get support now: 1-888-843-4564 Need to talk to someone who gets it when it comes to coming out, being bullied for your sexual orientation, or navigating same-sex relationships? You can find a sympathetic ear on the GLBT National Help Line, run by peers and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. This hotline is ready to hear your concerns and can connect you to the GLBT National Help Center’s massive list of resources for LGBTQ-friendly services and organizations near you. 40. LGBT National Talkline for Youth Get support now: 1-800-246-7743 If you’re under 21 and looking to speak with a peer counselor who really understands issues related to gender or sexual identity, this is the number to call. This help line is similar to the national help line, but this version is for young LGBTQ-identified individuals. You can dial in to talk about hardships you face in your day-to-day lives, as well as access resources to help bolster you into your 20s and beyond. 41. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Get support now: 1-800-273-8255 This suicide prevention hotline is available 24/7 to offer a compassionate ear — no matter what you’re dealing with. Their primary aim is to keep you going, even in the darkest of times. Pour your heart out to a skilled staffer without fear of being judged. If you’d like referrals to local mental health care services after your call, hotline representatives can set you up. 42. Veterans Crisis Line Get support now: 1-800-273-8255 This is a crisis support line specifically for veterans and active service members, especially for those contemplating suicide. It is conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It also offers help with other mental health issues, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and substance abuse. Although there are other mental health hotlines, some of them may not know how to support the veteran or service member in their life who is going through a difficult time. The line is also available to family and friends of veterans and service members. 43. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders Get support now: 1-630-577-1330 Need more info on eating disorders? Looking for treatment for yourself, a friend, or a loved one? The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) national helpline is here for you. It is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CST) Monday through Friday. Whether you’re looking for immediate counseling or recommendations for treatment and support, this is the number to call. People who prefer to connect with a volunteer or counselor but would prefer not to do it by phone can take advantage of ANAD’s services via email. 44. VictimConnect Get support now: 1-855-484-2846 If you’ve been the victim of any type of crime, this toll-free, confidential helpline can connect you with the resources that best address your current situation. It is offered by the National Center for Victims of Crime. This is a centralized hotline that can refer you to whatever help you may need, from directing you to specific counseling centers and resources to connecting you with legal advice. Whatever the crime, this hotline is a trustworthy first step in getting you the assistance you need. 45. National Domestic Violence Hotline Get support now: 1-800-799-7233 Trained domestic violence advocates are available 24/7 to help those involved in abusive or dangerous home situations. To receive immediate counseling free of charge and gain access to local resources to implement a safety plan and find refuge, make the call. Help is available free of charge to anyone regardless of sexual orientation or home situation. If it is not convenient or safe to talk, you can use the chatline 24/7. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. 46. National Eating Disorder Association Helpline Get support now: 1-800-931-2237 Need some help figuring out who to turn to when dealing with an eating disorder, perhaps your own or someone else’s? Call a trained NEDA representative at this hotline and they’ll provide you with information about eating disorders, treatment options, and referrals. The helpline is available Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EST), and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), with holiday closures. 47. National Organization for Victim Assistance Get support now: 1-800-879-6682 Whether you’re a victim or a witness to a crime (or even if you’re a criminal justice or mental health professional seeking services for a client), NOVA’s Victim Assistance Helpline can assist you. The helpline is available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday. Though the association doesn’t offer counseling, NOVA representatives can connect you within minutes to a counseling hotline that best fits your needs. They also provide information about crime and crisis recovery, as well as referrals to victim advocacy. 48. National Sexual Assault Hotline Get support now: 1-800-656-4673 You don’t have to suffer in silence if you’ve been sexually assaulted. This hotline can offer counsel and link you to resources that can help you navigate this traumatic situation. The group’s website also hosts a free and confidential online chat, if that’s easier than picking up the phone. The website also offers information about sexual assault, and tips for prevention and recovery. 49. Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous Nationwide Conference Call Get support now: 1-712-432-0075 Maybe you want to connect with others who can relate to the obsessions or compulsions that are weighing on you, but you can’t attend in-person meetings. That’s where this call center can step in. The conference call can help lift you out of isolation and link you up with peers who know exactly what you’re going through. Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, OCA’s conference calls follow the basic format of a 12-step meeting. Participation in the conference calls is free, except for the cost of the telephone call. They ask that you become familiar with the 12-step process before participating. Visit the group’s website for times of the conference calls, plus additional resources related to OCD. Some conferences focus on specific topics, such as Trichotillomania (hair-pulling, including skin-picking and nail-biting) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). 50. Samaritan’s Crisis Hotline Get support now: 1-212-673-3000 Staffed by trained volunteers, this 24/7 suicide prevention hotline is free of charge and available to extend a compassionate, nonjudgmental ear when you’re in crisis. This is the ideal resource for anyone who can’t afford therapy but desperately needs to talk and be heard. Call the Samaritans morning, noon, or night if you’re feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or isolated and can’t turn to family and friends. They will help you deal with every kind of problem, illness, trauma, or loss you have experienced. The hotline provides those in crisis (as well as the people who care for them) with a 24-hour safety net. It is intended to be used to fill in gaps in service, bridge the time between therapy appointments, and act as a source of ongoing emotional maintenance. 51. Trevor Lifeline Get support now: 1-866-488-7386 For LGBTQ+ youth who need help grappling with urges to self-harm or thoughts of suicide, this number can literally be a lifeline. Available free of charge and at all hours, this number is manned by a trained staffer ready to field your call. During your call, you can open up about whatever issues you’re facing. Not into phone calls? Access TrevorChat on the website to text with a skilled support line responder. 52. Crisis Call Center Get support now: 1-800-273-8255 Another 24-hour helpline, this crisis call center gives Nevada residents support for emotional distress — whatever the reason — and connects them with resources throughout the state that they can access. Pick up the phone when you need to talk, or text “CARE” to 839863 to connect. This helpline covers almost any aspect of mental health, including: depression and suicide

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Addiction support groups 53. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), one of the earliest support groups, has been helping alcoholics since 1935. The program describes its approach as “spiritual” and focuses on owning your errors, assessing your character, and making amends. Today it has more than 2 million members worldwide and welcomes people of any age and all political, sexual, and gender orientations. No dues or fees are required. 54. Al-Anon Sometimes the issue is not your drinking, but that of a friend or family member whose issues with alcohol have disrupted your life. Al-Anon supports individuals affected by others’ alcoholism and even offers a specialized program for teens (Alateen). 55. Cocaine Anonymous Started in Los Angeles in 1982, Cocaine Anonymous (CA) counts around 30,000 members across the globe. As its name implies, CA is modeled after the 12 steps and peer-support design of AA. People wrestling with addictions to other substances in addition to cocaine are also welcome to address that here. Meetings are free and open to all. The only requirement: You want to stop using. 56. Crystal Meth Anonymous Crystal Meth Anonymous was also born out of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). After witnessing an upsurge of crystal meth addicts joining AA to get sober, one former addict began this offshoot in 1994. He figured meth addicts could benefit from a 12-step model, but they needed their own tailored version of support. Turns out that hunch was right, as today you can find more than 600 CMA meetings worldwide. 57. Dual Recovery Anonymous Dual Recovery Anonymous offers a specialized 12-step program for folks grappling with chemical dependencies on top of emotional and psychological disorders. Similar to other 12-step peer support programs, the only requirement for entry is a desire to get sober and, in this case, a desire to manage your mood. 58. Gamblers Anonymous The 12-step system doesn’t just apply to substances. People who find themselves frequently in debt or otherwise stressed by excessive gambling habits have made good use of this support group. Gamblers Anonymous is no newcomer to support groups. It’s been available since 1957. Gambling disorder is now a mental health disorder recognized by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). 59. LifeRing LifeRing provides forums and face-to-face meetings to help people who wish to be sober design their own recoveries in a way that makes sense for them. LifeRing doesn’t involve any official “steps.” And there’s no need for sponsorship here, either. Just click the “Find a Meeting” link on the website, and then show up at the meeting. If you don’t live close to a meeting or if you’re more comfortable online, you can participate in the online meetings, email groups, or online forums and chat rooms. 60. Marijuana Anonymous Sure, pot is now legal in many states, but like other legal substances (ahem, alcohol) that doesn’t mean it won’t trigger addiction issues. This group is for people who have found marijuana is a larger part of their lives than they would like. If your tokes are getting in the way of your life, these meetings can help bring back some balance. You can find a list of meetings across the U.S. on the website. The only requirement for attendance is the desire to stop using marijuana. No fees or dues are required. 61. Narcotics Anonymous Designed for drug addicts grappling with all types of chemical dependencies, Narcotics Anonymous (NA) models itself after, you guessed it, the traditions and steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Narcotics Anonymous has been in the business of keeping people around the world drug-free since 1953, holding 67,000 meetings weekly in 139 countries. You can find a meeting to attend by using the website’s “Meeting Search” selection. 62. Nar-Anon Nar-Anon offers support to the family members and friends of people struggling with addiction, similar to Al-Anon and Alateen. Meetings give a safe space for people to sort out their feelings and make sense of their loved one’s addictive behavior and its impact on their lives. Nar-Anon is an international organization that offers meetings around the world. You can find a local meeting using the “Find a Meeting” link on the website. If there isn’t one, you can set up your own group. The group uses the 12-step approach and offers outreach materials to orient you. 63. Overeaters Anonymous Yes, you can get hooked on the highs associated with food. Though food addiction is a controversial topic, a recent review of medical literature supported the existence of such a diagnosis, particularly related to foods high in added sweeteners and refined ingredients. Gordon EL, et al. (2018). What is the evidence for “food addiction?” A systematic review. DOI: 10.3390/nu10040477 Thankfully, there are over 6,500 Overeaters Anonymous (OA) meetings across the globe designed in the 12-step spirit of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). You, or someone close to you, can get help managing compulsive eating habits and cultivating a healthier relationship with food. 64. Sex Addicts Anonymous We’re all for a healthy and happy sex life. But sometime people use sex to self-medicate, self-destruct, and, in the process, wreak havoc on their own and others’ well-being. Sex addiction is a controversial topic, but what doctors call “compulsive sexual behavior disorder” is more common that you might think. In a survey reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 8.6 percent of patients reported difficulty controlling sexual feelings, urges, and behavior. Dickenson JA, et al. (2018). Prevalence of distress associated with difficulty controlling sexual urges, feelings, and behaviors in the United States.DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.4468 Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) hosts meetings across the globe to help men and women learn to manage their behavior, gain insight into their impulses, and start their recovery through peer support using the 12-step process. 65. Secular Organizations for Sobriety SOS is a network of independent nonprofessional local groups worldwide that help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety in the areas of alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, and more. SOS backs individual empowerment, while also declaring a strong respect for science and a healthy skepticism around traditional addiction treatments. You can find a meeting of a group near you on the SOS website. 66. SMART Recovery Twelve-step programs not your thing? No problem. SMART recovery offers another alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and related organizations. Modeled after research-based cognitive behavioral therapy strategies, SMART meetings do not require you to identify as an addict or alcoholic. The meetings are also less steeped in spirituality and their process puts greater emphasis on empowering members. The group isn’t exclusively for alcoholics. SMART doors are open to individuals struggling with all types of addictions. 67. Women For Sobriety Women For Sobriety (WFS) is based on the belief that there’s a gender divide when it comes to getting clean. WFS aims to bolster women’s self-worth, personal responsibility, and problem-solving skills. Instead of 12 steps, WFS offers a variety of strategies to practice acceptance and avoid getting stuck in the past. Groups are available in the U.S. and Canada. Women only, please.

Libraries and podcasts Many traditional resources are now available online in digital formats. For example, self-help books are often available for free as audiobooks from your public library. Also, you can find a wide variety of podcasts and interviews on mental health topics at online radio and television stations, as well as on YouTube. For example, the BBC broadcasts of Dr. Claire Weekes, the Australian doctor known for her personal and down-to-earth approach to treating anxiety, are available in audiobooks from your library, as well as on YouTube.