Mental Health and Crisis Services

Anyone thinking about suicide or worried about someone in distress, in the U.S.

To provide free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States.

• Help is available via phone or via live chat through the website.

Patients and health professionals

AASECT is a not-for-profit, interdisciplinary professional organization of individuals who share an interest in promoting understanding of human sexuality and healthy sexual behavior. In addition to sexuality educators, sexuality counselors and sex therapists, AASECT members include physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, allied health professionals, clergy members, lawyers, sociologists, marriage and family counselors and therapists, family planning specialists and researchers, as well as students in relevant professional disciplines.

• Website offers a search feature to locate a therapist, counselor or educator by country or state.

Blood cancer survivors and their loved ones seeking a therapist

BMT InfoNet’s Mental Health Directory provides a searchable directory of psychologists, social workers and other counselors who have experience working with transplant recipients, CAR T-cell therapy recipients and/or people with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). These providers often have general blood cancer experience relevant to all survivors/caregivers. 

Cancer and transplant patients and families, caregivers, survivors

Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation’s Clinical Care Counseling program provides a free, confidential counseling service offered by licensed therapists. Time-limited telephonic counseling sessions are available to cancer survivors, transplant patients, and family members.

Individuals, families, caregivers and the bereaved in the U.S. affected by a cancer diagnosis

To provide free, professional support services to individuals, families, caregivers and the bereaved to help them cope with and manage the emotional and practical challenges of cancer. (English and Spanish)

• Professional resource navigators and oncology social workers are available to provide telephone resource navigation to people living with cancer, post treatment survivors, and caregivers affected by cancer.
• Offers short term counseling to residents of NY and NJ. 
• Offers online support groups, educational programs, and local community support programs.
• Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp - a free retreat for families with children coping with the loss of a loved one to cancer
• Financial assistance for transportation, home care, childcare, pet care (through PAW program), or medication/durable medical equipment may be available for patients in active treatment. Eligibility guidelines vary depending on diagnosis, gender, and geographic location. 
• Financial assistance for insured cancer patients in treatment in the US to help with co-payments for chemotherapy and targeted treatment medications who meet certain financial, medical and insurance eligibility criteria. Check the website for funding availability (http://cancercarecopay.org/) or call 866-552-6729 for details.

People affected by cancer in the U.S. and Canada

To provide support, education and hope to people affected by cancer; to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.

• Offers support through a network of more than 52 local affiliates and 175 locations
• Cancer Support Helpline® - offers resources and emotional support via phone or live chat, and is staffed by licensed mental health professionals
• MyLifeLine - create a private, personal webpage to help keep family and friends stay involved and informed
• Frankly Speaking About Cancer® – education series that provides trusted information on a variety of topics important to people affected by cancer; information is available in a variety of formats
• Virtual Home - resources to connect you to education, support, and action opportunities to enhance your health and well-being from the comfort of your computer
• Open to Options – provides general information about clinical trials, helps patients identify important questions about treatment options and decisions based upon personal needs
• CancerSupportSource® - a tool that assesses distress in key areas (such as sleep, nutrition, worry about the future) and provides referral and follow-up care for all patients
• Cancer Experience Registry - a unique online community that brings people impacted by cancer together to make their voices heard, connect with each other, share experiences, learn from and help others
• Cancer Transitions – an evidence-based programs for cancer survivors who have completed their treatment (in partnership with LIVESTRONG)
   

Anyone in crisis in the U.S.

To provide access to free, 24/7 support and information via text.

• Trained crisis counselors volunteer to support people in crisis.

Young adult cancer patients and survivors in the US

To provide impactful programming benefiting adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer; to improve quality of life; to create positive health outcomes from treatment to survivorship.

• Breathe Now program is a yoga retreat for survivors ages 21 to 39 years (1 to 3 years from active treatment) and their partners (who were with them during treatment).  Includes healthy eating and sessions with a social worker to help couples get back to a balanced relationship and away from being patient and caregiver.
• LifeList program is for 18-39 year old patients, currently undergoing treatment for a difficult cancer diagnosis, to make a wish list of positive activities, items and/or adventures.  Includes the opportunity to connect with others who have experienced similar journeys. 
• The Mental Wellness Box provides mental health resources to young adults ages 18-39 who are in active treatment.
   

Rare disease caregivers, military/veterans and their families, and other communities in need

To create resilient communities by improving mental health and emotional wellbeing, one hour at a time.

• Free individual mental health counseling services for military service members, veterans, and their loved ones. Services are donated by community mental health professionals.
• 1:1 Peer Support and Group Peer Support for the military community, as well as rare disease caregivers and individuals affected by interpersonal and community violence.

People living with a mental health condition, family members, caregivers, mental health providers, and the public

Dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. The telephone helpline is available Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm Eastern Time.  Also offers a chat service.  Note: The Helpline does not provide mental health counseling and it is not a crisis service.

Individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders in the US

To provide a free and confidential information service for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.  Note: The Helpline does not provide counseling.