Care does not start or end with this directory. Below are the official and nonprofit resources we would send a friend to — free, national, and run by the organizations whose whole job they are. If a resource ever helps you more than we did, that is a good outcome.

In crisis

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, 24/7, free and confidential. Veterans: press 1 after dialing, or text 838255. Spanish-language support available.
• Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741 to connect with a live counselor.
• Emergency — if someone may act on a plan tonight, or there is a medical emergency (overdose, injury, severe withdrawal), call 911.

Find treatment — official locators

• FindTreatment.gov (SAMHSA) — the federal locator for substance use and mental health facilities: findtreatment.gov
• SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-4357 (1-800-662-HELP), free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referrals in English and Spanish.
• MentalHealth.gov — the federal government’s plain-language starting point for mental health basics and getting help.
• NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) — research-based information on conditions and treatments: nimh.nih.gov

Know your rights — insurance and directories

Our whole reason for existing: insurer directories are often wrong, and the law is starting to care. If a plan’s directory lists a provider who is not actually available, you have options:

• Your health plan must keep its directory accurate and update it regularly under the No Surprises Act. If you relied on wrong directory information, tell the plan — in writing — and keep a copy.
• Mental health parity — federal law (the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act) generally requires plans to cover mental health and substance use care on terms no more restrictive than medical care. The U.S. Department of Labor’s parity page explains what to do if you think your plan is breaking the rules: dol.gov (search “mental health parity”).
• Your state insurance commissioner takes complaints about inaccurate directories and parity problems. Find yours through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
• Healthcare.gov — coverage, enrollment, and how marketplace plans handle mental health benefits.

Conditions and education

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) — education, support groups, and a helpline (1-800-950-6264, weekday hours): nami.org
• Mental Health America — free, anonymous online screening tools and condition information: mhanational.org
• DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) — peer support and education for mood disorders: dbsalliance.org
• NIMH Health Topics — symptoms, causes, and treatments for specific conditions, written by researchers: nimh.nih.gov/health/topics

Substance use

• Your state’s recovery helpline — Every state runs a free, confidential helpline for substance use and mental health referrals. Find yours through the state agency directory at FindTreatment.gov.
• NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator — a step-by-step guide to finding quality alcohol treatment: alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov
• Shatterproof — addiction education and treatment-quality information: shatterproof.org

For families and caregivers

• NAMI Family Support Groups and Family-to-Family classes — free, run by people who have been where you are: nami.org
• Al-Anon Family Groups — for people affected by someone else’s drinking: al-anon.org
• SAMHSA’s family resources — guides for talking with a loved one and finding family support: samhsa.gov

Veterans

• Veterans Crisis Line — call 988 and press 1, or text 838255, 24/7.
• VA Mental Health Services — care and benefits information for veterans: mentalhealth.va.gov

Depression Care Finder is an independent directory published by ThriveIQ LLC. We are not affiliated with the agencies and organizations listed here, and listing a resource is not an endorsement by them of this site — it is simply us pointing you to help we trust.