How to Get Help for Suicidal Thoughts and Other Mental Health Issues

With suicide rates for men on the rise at staggering rates, men need mental help now more than ever. We’re losing too many good guys to suicide, like Anthony Bourdain, and the most challenging part of dealing with mental health issues is not figuring out that you need help, but figuring out exactly how to get help. Suicide is preventable. We can change this.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re taking the opportunity to help guys not only open up about their overall mental wellness, but also to help them get the support they need, when they need it.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of resources for guys. Whether you’re struggling with thoughts of suicide, depression, anxiety, PTSD, or if you just need someone to talk to, there is help available right now — and that’s the first step on the road to overall wellness.

Are you struggling with thoughts of suicide? Call this number now:

The Suicide Prevention Hotline

If you or a loved one are in distress, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. The hotline provides “free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

If you want to figure out what might be going on:

The Mental Health America Screening Tool

Mental Health America offers a free mental health screening tool, which allows you to take tests for different mental health disorders. Note: it’s not a diagnostic tool, but it does provide recommendations for what steps to take next.

NAMI

National Alliance on Mental Illness has a toll-free HelpLine (800-950-NAMI) and text line (Text NAMI to 741741) that provides free referral, information, and support for those affected by mental illness. NAMI offers education programs across the country to hundreds of thousands of people, and they fight stigma and encourage understanding with public awareness events and activities.

If you want to find a health care provider:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Treatment Locator

No matter where you live, SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locatorcan help you find services in your area. The site is completely anonymous and confidential, and also includes a help line you can call to help find treatment.

If you’ve been diagnosed with anxiety or depression:

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America

The ADAA has numerous resources for getting help with anxiety and depression, two of the most common mental illnesses in the United States, including links to finding providers, support groups and a list of self-help publications. It also has tips and resources for those looking for ways to help loved ones battling a mental disorder.

If you’re already in treatment:

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Personal Tools

Along with listings of area providers, the DBSA’s Personal Tools page offers strategies for self-care, including a wellness assessment tool and workbooks for tracking symptoms and progress.

If you have practical questions about cost and your health care plan:

The Department of Health and Human Services Insurance Help

The HHS has put together a guide to help answer questions about how health insurance can help cover treatments for addiction and mental health services, including helping visitors figure out if their own personal health insurance includes mental health coverage.

(Source: Menshealth.com, Charlotte Spence – mattressnerd.com)