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The last years were life-changing for the majority of people around the world. The Covid-19 pandemic abruptly took over our lives and subsequently reminded us of the importance of mental health. Due to the worldwide lockdown, numerous people are suffering the negative consequences of isolation and even unemployment. It has significantly affected the physical and psychological health of the global population.
Long before the pandemic, many students noted an increase in anxiety and depression as a result of balancing their academic and social life. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved. Instead, it has gotten worse. More and more students are now in need of psychological help.
Our experts have created a list of the best affordable or free mental health websites and apps. We’ve grouped them by country and also provided the websites that are accessible globally.
🌐 Worldwide Mental Health Resources
As we will mention more than once in this article, the best place to seek psychological help is your community. Talking to a professional with a cultural background similar to yours will be more rewarding than communicating with someone who is a complete stranger. If you’re willing to study the topic in your spare time, consider checking out essay samples on mental health from A+ students.
In the following sections, you will find sources that are available in one or more countries. But let’s start with the international websites. Here, you can either search for your specific country or look for help regardless of your place of residence.
These resources are available worldwide:
Active Minds is an international organization that strives to provide psychological assistance to young adults. The primary goal is to empower youth to speak about mental health issues openly. This approach helps to reduce the stigma surrounding psychological problems and to prevent suicides. The service is free and available 24/7. If you feel like you need psychological support, give it a try.
AI-Anon Family Groups is an organization that specializes in providing psychological assistance to young alcoholics. The group operates worldwide. Just visit the website, search for a meeting or an Al-Anon office near you, and join the team. The support is provided for free.
7 Cups is one of the world’s largest emotional support systems. It offers a free 24/7 online chat. Here users can receive valuable advice on how to deal with any mental problem. Would you like a personalized consultation? You can get one for an additional payment. For fans of smartphones, 7 Cups offers free IOS and Android apps.
Samaritans is an online hotline that provides free psychological support all around the world. Feeling exhausted, frustrated, lost, or lonely? Just call or text Samaritans. They are available at any time of the day or night. Also, trace your emotional states with the Samaritans mobile app. It’s free!
Support Groups Central is an international organization that provides psychological support via group calls. To participate, visit the website and choose the topic that concerns you. After registration, you can join in a meeting. Trained psychologists facilitate the calls. Besides, Support Groups Central is always available!
Are you a young adult suffering from childhood psychological traumas that don’t let you live life to the fullest? If so, then HAVOCA is a great online resource for you. It offers information on how to deal with childhood abuse and traumas. Moreover, the website allows childhood abuse victims to connect through survivor forums. HAVOCA provides direction and friendship to survivors worldwide. The resource is free and available 24/7.
This resource is full of educational videos and articles about bipolar disorder. It also provides an instant test to evaluate your mental well-being. In case you need psychological support, suicide crisis hotlines are available on the website. The resource is free and accessible in any region at any time of the day.
It is an international fellowship of people suffering from alcoholism. The organization is non-professional and self-supporting. Alcohol addicts from all around the globe can meet through this platform and share their stories. Need peer support? Visit the Alcoholic Anonymous website. It’s free and available 24/7.
Narcotics Anonymous is a global non-profit fellowship with a multilingual and multicultural membership. The mission of this organization is to gather drug addicts in one place and provide psychological support. Here, you can find articles and videos about recovery from narcotics abuse. Moreover, there is an option to join virtual meetings and participate in discussions online. The service is free and always available.
Social Anxiety Support Center is an online forum where you can find many resources regarding any kind of psychological disorder. Visit the website and read the articles that apply to you. Discuss them with fellow forum members for insights. Share your story and find support from people with similar life situations.
This resource was developed for people suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related diseases. Its goal is to increase their access to effective treatment and end the stigma surrounding their conditions. The website includes the IOCDF Resource Directory, which is a massive database for OCD treatment. It also provides contact information for licensed therapists and support groups. Here you can find information about residential programs and intensive treatment programs. The website is free and available around the clock.
MoodGym is an interactive book that aims to prevent and/or manage the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and related psychological disorders. It can be accessed at any time from any place. What’s more, your private information is totally secure and confidential. However, it is not free. The subscription for individual access for one year costs $27.00.
Daily Strength is an online resource that focuses on people suffering from depression. This website contains a wealth of information about mental diseases and possible ways of overcoming them. Moreover, there are support groups divided into categories. Need instant help? Choose your category, join the group, and receive support from fellow website users. The resource is free and available worldwide.
Emotions Anonymous is an international non-profit organization that focuses on helping people to overcome emotional swings and mental diseases. It is a non-professional organization that does not provide any medical or psychiatric assistance. The primary goal is to create a warm and friendly setting. Here, each member can share their story without the fear of being criticized. The meetings are either held in local centers or online via Zoom, Skype, etc. The service is free.
Eating disorders are one of the most critical psychological problems nowadays. That’s why the international community Overeaters Anonymous provides help to those who suffer from compulsive eating and food behaviors. The service is free and available 24/7. Anyone who needs help in dealing with eating disorders can join a virtual meeting. Here, the fellow members share their experiences and support each other.
Recovery International is a global organization that strives to help people all over the world gain skills to lead more peaceful and productive lives. It uses the unique self-help training system developed by Abraham Low to eliminate the stigma of mental illness. The service is available anytime, anywhere, for anyone. Just visit the website, register for a free Zoom meeting, and receive your psychological support.
Survivors of Incest Anonymous is an international non-profit organization striving to empower those who have survived childhood sexual abuse. The group organizes online meetings. People can share their stories, discuss them with fellow meeting participants, and get psychological help. Besides, Survivors of Incest Anonymous educates the victims of childhood abuse. It raises awareness about the significance of this issue. The service is free and available online 24/7.
If you are suffering from alcohol addiction, then Club Soda is the organization you should join. It is a global online community that helps people rethink their views on alcohol and start being more mindful about drinking. Join the group and receive emotional support from those who have already overcome their alcohol addiction. Visit actual events or join virtual meetings online. The website provides free services and is available 24/7. The time, location, and price of the events vary – check them out before visiting.
Pro Tip:
You can use the YourLifeCounts search engine. Indicate the country and region you are interested in. Then, select the resource that fits your preferences. Or you will find a list of country-specific mental health resources below in this article.
🦅 US Mental Health Resources
According to recent studies, the number of young adults that suffer from mental health problems increases every year. Moreover, reports show that 39% of all students in the US struggle with at least one mental illness, and this percentage keeps growing.
When a student experiences mental health problems, all the areas of his life get affected: economic, social, financial. They can solve some of them by making some money or talking to close ones. Yet, they still can feel overwhelmed and as if they are left all alone with these problems. However, there are free resources where students can get help.
The following hotlines are dedicated to helping students facing mental problems:
Text “Brave” to 741-741 – Crisis Text Line is a free 24/7 support line for anyone and anywhere in the United States. This service functions on a volunteer basis.
1-866-488-7386 – Trevor Project is a suicide prevention line for LGBTQ+ youth. It is free and available 24/7.
Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 – Disaster Distress Helpline provides free year-round support and immediate crisis counseling for people in emotional distress after a disaster.
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States suicide prevention network. It is available 24/7 via a toll-free hotline.
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) – National Sexual Assault Hotline is a free and confidential hotline with more than 1,100 trained volunteers on duty to help victims of sexual abuse.
1-800-931-2237 – National Eating Disorders Association Helpline provides eating disorder support for free. Chat, call, and text are available 24/7.
Students in distress can also pay attention to the following online resources:
- Mental Health Is Health provides a lot of resources for mental well-being. They claim that this page provides resources to reduce stress. It gives some practical tips to self-help in moments of distress. For instance, it teaches how to slow down and ground yourself, process and name negative emotions. The page also has books for children about COVID.
- ULifeline is an online resource for college mental health. Right now, it focuses on how young adults can care for themselves during the COVID-19 outbreak. It also has information on how to help a friend who is struggling emotionally.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest mental health organization. Their slogan is “You are not alone” because 1 in 5 humans are affected by mental illness. There are four missions that NAMI aims to achieve. They educate, they advocate, they listen, and they lead. NAMI has a free helpline that responds to thousands of people across the country. It provides support and information to people with mental illnesses.
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America is a society that has more than 50,000 subscribers around the world. It provides support in English to anyone struggling with anxiety and depression.
- OK2Talk is a free space to talk about mental health problems. It is a community for young adults that share their experience struggling and sometimes overcoming their problem. Mental issues can make you feel that you are alone and hopeless. The stigma that is associated with these types of diseases makes it hard to speak. That is why OK2Talk can be an excellent solution for youngsters that just want to be heard.
- 18percent is another peer support community for young people struggling with mental issues. This community is hosted in Slack, and you can have a chat with people in a similar situation. There are more than 1000 followers from all over the world.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental health issues. It is a constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest that prevents you from doing simple things.
There are various types of depressions, ranging from minor or severe. There are several reasons for this disorder:
- genetic,
- biological,
- environmental,
- and psychological.
In this section, you will find links to helpful resources for those struggling with depression.
Anxiety
Anxiety is your body’s response to stress. It is a feeling of solid fear before something important. Students can have anxiety before taking an exam, having an interview, or a presentation. This section will share some organizations and resources that can help you in moments of stress.
Eating Disorders
An eating disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by abnormal and disrupted eating habits. There are many causes of this illness, such as biology and genetics.
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the US. However, there are others such as anorexia, bulimia, restrictive food intake disorder, etc. This section will give you links to the resources and websites that can help with these issues.
Addictions
Addictions are usually associated with drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. However, it is anything without what we cannot live. It can include cell phones, chocolate, or social media. In this section, find resources that can help you fight substance abuse.
Bipolar Disorder
Living with bipolar disorder is like living on the swings. Your mood can change from an extreme high to an extreme low. Manic symptoms include energy, excitement, and agitation, while depressive symptoms include a lack of energy and worthless.
In this section, you will find helpful resources that people can use in treating bipolar disorder.
PTSD & Trauma
PTSD is a mental health condition that is caused by an event. Symptoms can be flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety. When most people go through traumatic events, they can have difficulty functioning and coping. With some time, it gets better. However, if it doesn’t and the anxiety continues for months, you might have PTSD.
Here, you will find resources, which can help you managed PTSD symptoms. These organizations offer medical and peer-to-peer support.
LGBTIQ+ & Gender Issues
Many LGBTIQ+ people experience hate and discrimination. It regularly affects their lives and their mental health. In this section, you will find links to websites and helplines dedicated to helping LGBTIQ+ people in need.
🍁 Canada Mental Health Resources
About 4000 people die each year in Canada as a result of suicide. It is a common cause of death among young Canadians aged 15-24. This number is so staggering that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience at least one mental health issue in a given year.
The Canadian Government and private organizations have put together their best effort to support people in battling mental health problems. If you are in Canada and need help, these special hotlines with immediate assistance can do it for you:
902-429-8167 – Mental Health Mobile Crisis Telephone Line provides crisis support for children, young adults, and adults. The service is available 24/7 and entirely for free.
1-833-456-4566 toll-free – Crisis Services Canada is available 24/7/365 for free. It offers support to anyone going through difficult times and concerned about suicide.
1 (888) 353-2273 – Canadian Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours per day and toll-free. The operators will connect you to the closest branch for crisis support.
You can call 911 for other emergency services.
For more telephone counseling, look for numbers on OpenCounseling. You will see that most of the services are broken down province by province. The entire list of mental health services available for Canadian residents in different areas is available in the CTVNews article.
However, there are also countrywide hotlines, organizations, and helplines that assist people for free or with discounts:
- Canadian Mental Health Association is a directory of Psychiatrists, Counsellors, Psychologists, and mental health professionals. It is the nationwide leader for mental health resources. On their website, you can get help and info about national programs designed to promote inclusion.
- Bell Let’s Talk is an organization that offers a wide range of services for young adults, children, adults, seniors. It also has culturally specific resources and resources for families. The website is available in English and French.
- Hope for Wellness Helpline is an online chat counseling service. It is toll-free and available 24/7. The helpline counselors are ready to assist Canadians and Canadian residents who want to talk.
- Mental Health Toolkit (I am a Student) is another mental health website. The “I am a student” tab addresses issues faced by young adults. It gives numbers and ensures students that someone can hear their stories. It also lists reasons for mental health issues among students, which can be caused by homesickness, financial stress, drug and alcohol use.
- LifeLine Canada is a website that posts guides, tools, and resources on mental health and suicide prevention. It is not a crisis hotline. It is a foundation that runs three programs: the website, the app, and paws therapy dogs.
- Togetherall Canada is online peer-to-peer support for mental health. It is anonymous community accessible 24 hours per day. Plus, there are plenty of tools for self-assessment. As a student, you can have free access to all of them.
- Kids Help Phone is a live chat counseling service for kids which is open daily from 7 PM to midnight ET. It is available in French and English, entirely free and confidential. There is also an option to text a crisis responder if you need immediate help. To get help via text, send a message with the word “HELP” to 686868.
- Youth Space is an online support chat for youngsters living in Canada. It is open every day of the year from 6 PM till midnight PST. It is accessible to all youth, no matter their background, religion, sexual orientation, and race.
- EMentalHealth allows you to find mental health in your area. It is a directory with crisis and emergency numbers, counseling and therapy, and mental health facilities. You can use screening tools today to see if you have any mental health issues.
- Bounce Back is a skill-building program for youth 15+. It helps manage low mood and moderate depression, anxiety, stress, or worry. To use the program, you can visit a walk-in clinic or your primary care provider.
Depression
The number of Canadian students suffering from depression is genuinely staggering, and it keeps getting worse due to the COVID pandemic. However, it is good to know that there are many options available for Canadian youth to get mental health assistance.
The following websites and resources are focused on providing support to those battling depression:
Anxiety
A recent survey of Ontario University shows that between 2013 and 2016, the student population in Canada experienced a 50% increase in anxiety. Mental health professionals say that a mental health crisis is looming.
These websites aim to help people struggling with anxiety disorder:
Eating Disorders
A considerable number of Canadians have a diagnosis connected with an Eating Disorder. Approximately 1 million residents have either anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder. That’s why many non-profit organizations in Canada focus on eating disorder awareness, prevention, and treatment that is affordable even for students.
Addictions
Addiction is widespread among Canadian students and youth in general. Around 21% of the population suffer from some kind of addiction at least once in their lives. Thus, a lot of institutions and organizations try to haps with the crisis.
PTSD & Trauma
In this section of the article, you will find valuable resources for Canadian residents suffering from PTSD and Trauma. All of the organizations provide help to trauma sufferers for free, and students can use it.
LGBTIQ+ & Gender Issues
Discrimination, harm, and abuse lead many LGBTIQ+ people to struggle with various mental health issues. In this section, students can discover what services are available to them:
💂 UK Mental Health Resources
In the UK, mental health problems are widespread among teens and young adults. According to the survey of 2018, 1 out of 3 students experienced a severe psychological challenge, which required professional help. Consequently, by 2023, a considerable number of resources that provide psychological assistance appeared in the UK.
Let’s start with a few helpful emergency numbers:
0300 123 3393 – Mind Infoline works for you Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. The operators provide advice for a variety of mental health issues.
116 123 – Samaritans are available 24/7 for those who have suicidal thoughts.
0800 068 4141 – HopeLine UK is another resource to assist those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Contact it on any day from 9 AM till midnight.
85258 – SHOUT is a free and fully confidential text service for those who need psychological support. The resource is available for you 24/7.
You can reach other emergency services via – 999.
Now, let’s take a look at online resources that provide psychological help:
- Mind Infoline is an online resource that specializes in providing psychological assistance with any kind of problem. Mind Infoline works for you 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays). The service is free of charge. However, keep in mind that Phone calls from UK landlines are charged at local rates, depending on your phone provider.
- Mental Health Foundation UK focuses on preventing mental illnesses by spreading information and educating people all around the UK. The resource is free of charge and available 24/7.
- Together UK helps people in the UK deal with a wide range of psychological problems, providing professional support. It operates 24/7, and its services are free.
- Rethink Mental Illness is an organization that cares about people affected by mental illnesses and strives for a better life for them. Their online assistance and support via phone are free and available 24/7.
- Breaking The Silence SF includes a wide range of information and self-help guidelines to help people deal with anxiety and depression. Download the materials for free at any convenient time!
- CALL Community Advice and Listening Line (Wales) offers free text messaging or hotline support 24/7. The resource helps deal with any kinds of psychological disorders like depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, etc.
- Calmzone is an organization that leads a movement against suicide. You can access the webchat and hotline every day from 5 PM till 12 AM. The service is free.
- Lifeline (N.Ireland) is a Northern Ireland organization that helps people to deal with distress and despair. The hotline works 24/7. Assistance is free.
- The Mix (formerly Get Connected) provides essential support for young people who are experiencing any kind of phycological problems. Hotline and online chat are free and available for you at any time of the day.
- National Youth Advocacy Service (England and Wales) is an organization that strives to empower the youth’s voices. The assistance is delivered on face-to-face meetings that should be arranged ahead of time. Moreover, the hotline and chat are available 24/7.
- YoungMinds UK is a website with a list of essential contacts for any situation connected to the human mental state. The information is free to use and available to you 24/7.
- Turning Point is a resource that helps deal with a wide range of psychological problems by providing professional help. The assistance is delivered at one-on-one meetings.
- BipolarUK is an online platform that cares about people with bipolar disorder and helps them live a fulfilled life. The website works every day.
Depression
Depression is one of the most widespread mental health illnesses among students in the UK. Are you one of those who are suffering from depression? We have a list of valuable resources for you!
Anxiety
Experiencing Anxiety? Don’t ignore this problem. 42.8% of students in the UK feel stressed and worried most of the time due to their studies and other problems.
Here, we’ve gathered the most valuable resources that help to deal with anxiety in the UK:
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are a persistent problem among young people in the UK. If you are one of those individuals, take a look at our list of resources.
In the UK, there are health lines for those who suffer from eating disorders:
Helpline (adult) – 0808 801 0677
Studentline – 0808 801 0811
Youthline – 0808 801 0711
Helplines work Monday till Friday 9 AM-8 PM. On weekends and bank holidays, they are open from 4 PM till 8 PM. Plus, there are websites available:
Addictions
Do you like drinking alcoholic beverages? Do you take drugs lust to relieve stress? This might be a severe addiction. Take It seriously and seek psychological help via the following resources:
Alcohol
- Alcohol Change UK is a charity organization in the UK that works in 5 directions:
- to improve knowledge about alcohol harm;
- to adjust policies and regulations;
- to shift cultural norms;
- to improve drinking behavior;
- to provide good treatment for alcohol addicts.
- Alcohol Focus Scotland (only Scotland) is a group that works on the reduction of the impact of alcohol on people’s daily lives.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an organization that strives to overcome alcohol addiction following the unique 12 steps of AA.
- Drinkline is an educational resource that informs how alcohol consumption may harm you or the surrounding people.
Drugs
- Talk to Frank is a mental support service. Call 0300 1236600 at any time of the day and get honest and reliable information about drugs.
- HumanKind is an online resource that aims to assist you in stopping your unwanted habits like drug abuse.
- UK Narcotics Anonymous is a website where you can receive support or advice on drug abuse. Call 0300 999 1212 on any day from 10 AM to midnight to get all the information and recommendations from a specialist.
- Release is an independent and registered charity organization that provides psychological help for drug addicts. Calls on helpline 020 7324 2989 are free.
PTSD & Trauma
PTSD and trauma are severe psychological disorders that require an immediate solution. Are you or someone you know experiencing one of the following mental health illnesses? Then check the following resources:
LGBTIQ+ & Gender Issues
The LGBT community has become one of the most discussed topics in the recent decade. Gender and sexuality issues are still considered very controversial by some people. Young individuals experience psychological pressure while discovering themselves. Therefore, there are a lot of resources available in the UK.
Let’s explore them!
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
OCD is quite a common psychological disorder among students. Even though it might not seem like a severe illness to some people, the problem should not be ignored. Do you have any symptoms of OCD? Consider checking the following resources:
🦘 Australia Mental Health Resources
A large number of international students come to Australia every year. Due to these growing numbers, a need for qualified psychological help for youngsters also grows. That’s how many accessible or affordable services for both international and domestic students came to place. In this section of the article, we will focus on them.
Let us start with the emergency numbers:
13 11 14 – Lifeline Australia is a 24/7 toll-free crisis support line. The service is confidential, and all the support specialists are trained to help those in crisis.
1800 55 1800 – Kids Helpline provides help to kids and young adults from 5 years old till 25. The helpline is open 24/7 and 365 days per year at no cost at
1300 22 4636 – Beyond Blue is a support service that provides advice via telephone 24/7, webchat (3 PM to 12 AM), and email (response provided within 24 hours).
13 52 47 – Samaritans is a service that allows people to contact the helpline with all sorts of worries. It is free of charge, completely confidential. Its operating hours are 8 AM – 8 PM (AWST).
1300 659 467 – Suicide callback service is a nationwide phone and online counseling. SCBS is available 24/7 and is offered absolutely for free.
1800 61 44 34 – The MindSpot Clinic is a digital mental health clinic for all Australians and permanent residents. It is a free, confidential assessment and treatment for adults. The Australian Government fully funded the service, which makes it accessible for anyone living in Australia. It is an excellent option for students.
You can reach other emergency services via 000.
For more information regarding online resources providing psychological assistance, we’ve combined the following list:
- Your Health in Mind is the first stop for Australian residents who are in search of psychological help. Through the website, you can use the directory to find a psychiatrist who practices in your area. It also has information about many mental illnesses such as addiction, PTSD, autism, bipolar disorder, and many more.
- Kids Helpline is a fantastic resource for kids, teens, young adults, parents, and school teachers. There are a lot of tools that help young visitors to understand their feelings and emotions. Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private, confidential 24/7 phone and online counseling service for young adults. Webchat and email ways of contacting are available through the website too.
- Lifeline Australia has an available chat between 7 PM to midnight AEST. It offers other support services, including face-to-face counseling, group support, and assistance with food and utility bills.
- SANE Australia is a national mental health charity that has a lot of helpful information on its website. It conveys useful tools starting from SANE support services and ending with factsheets and guides about different mental health problems. They also provide help to the family and friends who act as caregivers.
- Black Dog Institute is a non-profit facility for diagnosing and treating mental illnesses and mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD. The website provides many resources, mental health programs, and fact sheets.
- headspace has resources that cover a wide range of issues and topics. If you create a free account, you can access numerous online tools. Group chats, online communities, and 1:1 direct support with the headspace professionals become available.
- ReachOut Australia helps young people under 25s who go through hard times. The website provides tools and apps that will help you in the time of crisis. ReachOut is an entirely free service and is available all the time.
- Head to Health – Australian Government posts mental health resources about feelings, topics, conditions, and service providers. There is a lot of information on COVOD-19 Support as well. For example, there is Grief and Trauma support for those impacted by pandemics.
- Womens Health & Family Services Perth is a non-profit organization that provides help for women’s health issues. The website has services for women at every stage of their lives. It covers such issues as alcohol, drugs, dieting, eating disorders, etc.
- Suicide Call Back Service provides free counseling for suicide and mental health prevention for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts. SCBS has resources for supporting someone who is thinking about suicide. There is a chat for people who need someone to talk to at the moment of crisis.
Depression
Depression is a mental condition that affects millions of Australians. It influences the way you feel, think, and behave. More than 26% of Australian students experience clinical depression. That is why many accessible and affordable services help people suffering from this mental health condition.
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in Australia. Around 83% of Australian students suffer from stress to the extent that it affects their health. The following resources can be used by young adults influences by this mental health condition:
Eating Disorders
About a third of Australian youngsters engage in eating disorder behaviors. Thus, there are plenty of services available across the country to fight this problem. The following services are available to everyone residing in Australia:
Addictions
Many residents of Australia are affected by addiction. Around 1 in 20 Australians die due to alcohol or drug abuse. The following services will help those who want to change the life and sober up:
PTSD & Trauma
Many Australians are exposed to traumatic events, which can lead to the development of PTSD. People with PTSD experience long-term fears, anxiety, and stress that prevent them from functioning.
The following services can help students and young adults for free or at a very affordable cost to better their lives:
LGBTIQ+ & Gender Issues
There are plenty of LGBTQI+ support services available throughout Australia. People in the community more often than not meet additional mental stress and stigma. That is why it is essential to find a support system.
These services are relevant to LGBTQI+ people, their families, and friends:
🥝 New Zealand Mental Health Resources
Being overwhelmed with studying and exams? Uncertain about the future? Feeling depressed and anxious? All these issues, along with the lockdown, resulted in many young people seeking psychological help in New Zealand.
There are, of course, hotlines for mental health issues:
09 5222 999 (Auckland) – Lifeline provides psychological assistance for the residents of Auckland. For the rest of New Zealand, you can use another number.
0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) - Lifeline also offers mental health support and advice for all the people who live in New Zealand via that number. Call it 24/7 when you need help.Or text 4357 (HELP) for free.
0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) - Suicide Crisis Helpline deals with suicidal intentions of individuals. You can call them when you or someone you know are in crisis.
You can reach other emergency services by calling 111 or find more helplines on Talking Minds.
For online support or information about mental health, check the following resources:
- The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand is a charity organization. It works to create a society free of discrimination, where people take care of their mental health. The organization helps individuals, organizations, and communities. When in crisis, anyone can check the website and get support from a trained counselor.
- Depression & Anxiety Help (Maori Community) helps individuals understand and recognize depression and anxiety. If you need to talk to a trained counselor, you may call their hotline, text, or email the organization.
- Depression & Anxiety Help (Pasifika Community) is another site for a particular group. Pasifika communities come from many cultures and speak different languages. It might create difficulties when talking about mental health. The website offers free of charge depression helpline with trained counselors. However, if you wish to communicate face-to-face with a psychologist, you will have to pay.
- The Lowdown helps young New Zealanders understand depression and anxiety. On the website, individuals can find information on these disorders and places to go get help. Besides, there are numbers you can text for free if you need to talk.
- What’s Up is a free nationally available counseling helpline for children and teens. Phone assistance is available Monday-Friday at 12 PM-11 PM, on weekends, 3 PM-11 PM. Chats are open Monday-Friday 1 PM-10 PM, on weekends, 3 PM-10 PM.
- Just a Thought is an online learning tool for everybody. It is free and works 24/7. It’s been tested and proven to help people with mild symptoms of anxiety and depression. Note that the service is intended for individuals older than 16, with no severe distress or suicidal thoughts.
- Asian Family Services was established to provide counseling for Asians in New Zealand. The helpline is available Monday to Friday between 9 AM – 8 PM. To be clear, it is not a crisis helpline. If the person presents suicidal intentions, the counselors will assist them anyway.
- GROW is a volunteer association of individuals who know they need to correct their mental and social conditions. The meetings are held in groups of 5 to 9 people. They are free of charge, but a donation would be appreciated. If you can’t be physically present at the meeting, there is an option to connect via Zoom.
- Mental Wealth is a program aimed to equip young people and families with knowledge, tools, and skills to improve well-being. It helps notice warning signs about mental disorders. If a person needs to talk, the website offers a free call or text at any time.
Depression
This is one of the most common reasons people seek mental support anywhere, and New Zealand is not an exception. This section will touch on the websites where one can get help when feeling depressed.
Anxiety
Another common reason for people to refer to specialists is anxiety. About 15% of New Zealand’s population is affected at any given moment. In case, for some reason, you cannot see a professional, several websites offer help.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are harmful, biologically influences illnesses. If left untreated, it leaves a terrible impact on the person and their families. In this section, we’ll show some websites that offer help for people with these illnesses.
Addictions
Addictions can seriously impair one’s life, ruin relationships and financial status. They can even push people toward criminal activity. Thus, it is necessary to seek support. Here, we have collected several websites that provide help to people with addictions and their families.
PTSD & Trauma
Being traumatized or constantly abused can lead to severe consequences. To eliminate the possibility of facing them, a victim should seek help. In this section, we’ve listed several websites that can assist an individual with counseling or information in New Zealand.
LGBTIQ+ & Gender Issues
Exploring gender and sexuality can be pretty challenging. Combined with societal pressure, it can take a toll on one’s mental health. Young adults, in particular, should get the necessary support and information about the topic.
Here are some websites that offer help to the LGBTIQ+ community members:
🧾 Where Can a Student Get Free Therapy?
We have provided quite a few online resources with psychological help, but this still may not be enough. Some people need therapy, even though it is not always available. Many students don’t have extra money or insurance, or their insurance does not cover such assistance. Fortunately, there are therapy options available that you don’t have to pay for.
Affordable or free counseling options are as follows:
- College counseling services.
If you’re a student, you can get therapy from the school’s counseling center. Some of them offer help with a range of diagnoses, while others treat particular issues. In some centers, you can get a limited number of sessions provided for free. Specialists can refer students to other professions with a discount.
- Community social services.
Such services are often funded by non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and taxes. Therefore, they can offer discounted mental health services to people who need them. Yes, students included. The services might vary in different areas, yet communities usually have those.
- Non-profit organizations.
These institutions match people with middle- and lower-income levels with affordable mental health services. The costs might vary from organization to organization. However, they usually come with different discounts, for students in particular.
- Crisis hotlines.
Helplines don’t offer therapy. Yet, they are free and can help you locate chargeless or affordable treatment nearby. You can find the hotline numbers according to your country – we’ve listed a few above. Also, some churches, communities, and local organizations have their helplines.
- Sliding-scale therapy.
Sliding-scale fees mean that the amount you pay for therapy is based on how much you can afford. To get them, you need to provide documentation of your income. Keep in mind that therapists offer a limited number of sliding-scale therapy slots. Thus, it’s critical to ask beforehand about them.
- Therapist interns.
Before becoming a licensed practitioner, therapists need a certain number of hours to become accredited. That’s why they often offer free or discounted therapy sessions. They usually work under the close supervision of a licensed counselor. It ensures that people get quality help.
- Peer support groups.
Support groups aren’t therapy, but they surely help. Such groups can help people feel less alone and supplement professional treatment. We’ve provided a lot of them in the sections above.
Thanks for your attention! We hope now you know where to turn if you or your close ones need psychological help. Share the page with those who may need these resources.
