Find Self-Help Mental Health Resources

Take care of yourself.

Self-care is an important part of maintaining good mental health. Use these resources as part of your mental health toolkit.

Remember, if you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

Crisis Hotlines

Emergency: 911
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1- 800-799-7233
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433)
Crisis Text Line: Text "DESERVE" TO 741-741
Lifeline Crisis Chat (Online live messaging): https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
Planned Parenthood Hotline: 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) 
American Association of Poison Control Centers: 1-800-222-1222
National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line: 1-800-622-2255
National Crisis Line - Anorexia and Bulimia: 1-800-233-4357
GLBT Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
TREVOR Crisis Hotline: 1-866-488-7386
AIDS Crisis Line: 1-800-221-7044
Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
TransLifeline: https://www.translifeline.org - 877-565-8860

Apps

Calm

Headspace

Think Up

Insight Timer

Relax Melodies

Self-Care for Mental Health

A young man writing in his notebook on The Yard.

Journal

Write out your feelings in a journal.

White pillow and sheets on a bed against a shite wall.

Sleep

Sleep is a vital part of a healthy, balanced life. Make sure you're getting enough of it.

Students Planting Trees

Volunteer

Spend time giving back to others.

Boundary Bridge in Rock Creek Park, DC.

Go outside

Spending time in nature is beneficial to your mental health.

Young woman hula hooping on the Yard.

Get active

Get your body moving regularly to reduce stress.

An iPhone and Air Pods on a table.

Unplug

Turn your phone off for a while. Savor your time away from social media, texts, phone calls, and the pressure of being constantly available to everyone else. (Make sure someone knows what you're doing, so people won't be worried.)

Two women in Howard sweatshirts sitting at a lunch table, laughing.

Eat mindfully

Be mindful about the foods you eat. Take note of the way they make you feel physically and emotionally (immediately and in the long-term), and plan to eat things that make you feel your best.

Glass of water infused with mint and cucumber, with a lid and straw.

Hydrate

That's it. That's the post.

A student creating a clay bust sculpture.

Create

Sculpt, doodle, color, write, make music--whatever gets your creativity flowing.

Clouds in a pink and purple sky.

Meditate

Our thoughts are going constantly throughout the day. Take a moment to center yourself.

A gray and white kitten lying on its side on a white bed with a pink pillow.

Look at cute animals

Looking at pictures of cute animals has been shown to have a calming effect on people. All the better if you can absorb the adorableness in person.