Resources and Help

Although you may be struggling with depression, sadness, or previous trauma, don’t give up hope. You can find help. This page provides an overview of the paths to pursue. The two websites listed below provide a much more comprehensive description of mental health support.

How do I get immediate help?

For immediate help with suicidal thoughts or other mental health concerns, call the national hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit the website: SAMHSA’s National Helpline

US veterans or service members who are in crisis can contact the Veterans Crisis Line: call 988 and then press “1,” or text 838255.

Who can help me?

The main difference among mental health providers is their education and what they can do for patients.

  • Psychiatrist

    A medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in mental health and can prescribe medication. Psychiatrists assess chemical imbalances and other medical conditions that contribute to mental health issues, provide psychotherapy, and prescribe medications when needed.

  • Psychologist

    A professional with a master’s or doctoral degree who treats mental health challenges through psychotherapy. Psychologists can diagnose mental health conditions and use psychological assessments to help them do so. They focus on certain areas such as addiction or PTSD. They can’t prescribe medication.

  • Counselors

    Counselors are trained professionals who help people build trust and a healing relationship using a variety of techniques, including talk-based therapy. They can also provide educational resources and recommendations to help people address their issues as well as connect patients with other mental health resources if needed.

  • Mental health counselors

    Help people with a range of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, grief, and stress. They may also specialize in a particular area, like substance abuse, marriage and relationships, or family counseling. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of nurse practitioners specializing in the field, who can prescribe medications in all but five states.

  • School counselors

    Help students with social or behavioral challenges, and with academic, career, and social goals. They may also instruct students and staff about topics like bullying and drug use.

  • Community counselors

    Provide trauma education to organizations in the community, such as day care centers and may go on-site when natural disasters hit a community, such as the floods in North Carolina in 2024 and the wildfires in California in 2025. Their goal is to help individuals and the community through the crisis.

How do I find someone to help me?

Turn to your primary care provide for a referral if you have one. Most providers have dozens of patients with mental health needs and usually have working relationships with several therapists who can help. If you don’t have a primary care provider, talk to trusted friends or family members for the names of at least three different individuals to consider.

Some mental health providers may focus their practices using telehealth sessions rather than face to face in their office. Also, check with your insurance plan to get a list of which providers are in your plan and to understand your benefit coverage. If you don’t have insurance coverage, hospital-based clinics provide mental health services if you meet certain income requirements.

How is PTSD treated?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two. The best treatment plan depends on the individual's needs and symptoms.

Psychotherapy

  • Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): Helps people reframe negative thoughts about the trauma. 

  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Helps people process the trauma by paying attention to movement or sound. 

  • Prolonged exposure (PE): Helps people face their negative feelings and do things they've avoided since the trauma. 

  • Narrative exposure therapy (NET): Helps people recognize and create an account of what happened. 

  • Stress inoculation therapy (SIT): Helps people change how they deal with the stress from the event. 

Medications

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Such as sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil). 

  • Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): Such as fluoxetine (Prozac). 

  • Other medications: May help with anxiety, physical agitation, nightmares, and sleep problems. 

Further Resources

For more details on mental health providers and different types of therapy, visit the websites and organizations below.