Medically reviewed
Seek emergency care if:
If you ever experience thoughts, intent, and/or plans to hurt yourself, take the following immediate steps to get through these challenging periods as safely as possible:
- Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you believe that you are in immediate danger of killing yourself.
- You can also get free 24/7 support from a suicide and crisis expert by calling or texting 988. If you’d prefer to chat online, you can chat with a suicide and crisis expert by visiting the Lifeline Chat.
Visit Suicide Prevention Lifeline here
What is severe depression?
Clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a mental health disorder that affects one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and has a detrimental impact on daily function. This is a severe form of depression with symptoms lasting at least two weeks, but symptoms can frequently last for longer periods of time. It commonly includes low mood for the majority of one’s day.
What is suicidal ideation?
Suicidal ideation is the act of thinking about, considering, or planning suicide. For some, suicidal ideation can be fleeting thoughts. For others, it can manifest into extensive thoughts and detailed planning.
Get emergency care for suicidal ideation here
Read more about suicidal ideation
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder encompasses a spectrum of mood disorders characterized by unpredictable mood swings, shifts in energy, and the ability to think clearly. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience alternating periods of elevated (mania or hypomania) and depressed mood (depression) — more extreme than the typical ups-and-downs of life — that result in a significant impact on daily function.
Read more about bipolar disorder
Find in-person care for bipolar disorder here
What is alcohol misuse disorder?
Alcohol misuse disorder is a type of substance misuse disorder that refers to a pattern of excessive drinking that interferes with an individual’s day-to-day life (and can be further classified as mild, moderate, or severe). Any alcohol misuse that puts your or others’ health and safety at risk is concerning and reason to seek treatment. The first step in getting help involves recognizing the problem.
Find an AA meeting or call the national help line here
What is substance misuse disorder?
Substance misuse disorder is a disease that affects an individual’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the misuse of a legal or illegal drug or medication. All substance misuse disorders involve the persistent misuse of substances despite their significant harm and adverse consequences.
Find a NA meeting and other forms of treatment here
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Individuals with schizophrenia may, at times, have trouble interpreting reality and thinking clearly. Common symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that don’t exist) delusions (fixed, false beliefs), and disorganized thought and behavior. While there is no known cure for schizophrenia, there are a variety of treatments available to help get symptoms under control and improve one’s quality of life.
What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that causes repeated, unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions) or the urge to do something over and over again (compulsions). Some people with OCD experience either obsessions or compulsions, and some experience both; in either case, obsessions and/or compulsions cause significant internal distress and interfere with daily quality of life. There are a variety of treatments available for OCD.
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are mental health conditions categorized by irregular eating habits and severe anxiety around body image, weight, and shape. There are a number of different types of eating disorders but the underlying commonality is the belief that controlling what you eat is a form of controlling your life. Common eating disorders include bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
Read more about different eating disorders
Find support or call the helpline for eating disorders
What is ADD and ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that causes difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. ADD is a type of ADHD that doesn’t include hyperactivity, fidgeting, and/or constant movement. ADHD and ADD can be treated with medication and counseling.
Find resources of ADD and ADHD here
Conditions best treated in-person
Although there are certain mental health conditions that can be easily treated online, there are some where being treated in-person is the safest option. If you’re exhibiting symptoms of any of the following conditions, it’s best to seek in-person care:
- Severe depression
- Suicidal ideation
- Bipolar disorder/Mania
- Substance misuse
- Schizophrenia
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders
- ADD/ADHD
Where to find treatment for severe depression
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America (240-485-1001): The ADAA website provides you both general information on how to treat anxiety and depression as well as resources to find therapists, psychiatrists, and support groups.
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance DBSA provides hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people who have mood disorders.
Additional resources to get help
- National Institute of Mental Health
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Free Clinics: Find clinics offering services for free or nominal costs.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Find alcohol, drug, or mental health treatment programs around the country
- CDC Resources: Free, confidential sources to help get paired with a trained counselor
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Tips on how to find the mental health professional that’s right for you.
- Psychology Today offers a national directory of therapists, psychiatrists, therapy groups, and treatment facility options.
- SAMHSA Treatment Locator provides referrals to low-cost/sliding-scale mental health care and substance misuse treatment. Phone: (800) 662-4357
- HelpWhenYouNeedIt includes over 350,000 listings for social services, mental health, substance misuse, legal, and financial assistance.
