For many of us, the thought of finding mental health resources can be a daunting and intimidating process. There is good news: it can be a manageable process! Knowing what resources are available to you is an incredible gift to yourself and loved ones who may also need additional resources.

The first step in finding mental health resources is determining what you are looking for. Are you looking for outpatient, inpatient, talk therapy, an addiction recovery program, or a support group? Knowing the difference between these resources can help you narrow down your search.

The first objective you should consider is if your employer provides an EAP Program. EAP Programs are Employee Assistance Programs. These programs provide free and confidential programs to their employees. EAP programs, in some situations, may help with stress management, mental health issues, grief, or family problems, to name only a few. You can also contact your insurance company and ask for a list of mental health providers covered by your insurance in your area. Another great resource that can be used is your primary care provider. Reach out to your primary care provider and talk with them about the thoughts, feelings, or emotions that you are experiencing and ask them to help you locate the appropriate resources for you.

Other resources can be found online, such as BetterHelp and Talkspace, which are online therapy platforms. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has a number that you can call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). When calling that number, you can gain treatment referrals and information for individuals and their families who may be facing substance use disorders or mental health disorders. Individuals are also able to call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you have found yourself impacted by a disaster, you can reach out to the Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990. Individuals also have the opportunity to receive text support! You can use the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

Once you have decided on which resource you are comfortable implementing for your mental health, you can begin to think about what expectations and experiences you would like to have. Don’t be afraid to be your own advocate on this journey! With that being said we hope to provide you with a few questions you can ask yourself as you begin your journey.

Would you prefer to meet with someone online or in-person?
If you are planning to go in person, how far are you willing to travel for your sessions?
What type of treatment are you looking for, such as outpatient or inpatient?
What goals do you have in mind for this experience?
Are you looking to gain perspective into your current life situation, improve your self-care, or dive into a deeper topic from your past that is holding you back from living your current and future life that you want to fulfill?

You may ask the mental health professional you are working with if they are experienced with the topic you would like to discuss with them. You could also ask them what approach or method they use. Some professionals may use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Approaches, or other modalities. You may also want to ask them about how long they expect this treatment plan to extend. Another critical area to discuss would be the cost involved with each session.

While exploring your mental health resources, a key piece is to make sure that you are practicing self-care. What does self-care mean to you? Do you have positive or negative thoughts and feelings about hearing the term self-care? Self-care is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It will look different for all of us. Self-care may look like getting your hair done, taking time for a massage, or getting your nails done. We encourage you to think outside of those things and think about how you can pour into yourself within the four walls of your home. A few things that you can do within your home might be allowing yourself time to read, craft, have a healthy sleep hygiene routine, set goals, journal, eat healthy, and stay hydrated, to name a few. Another wonderful self-care habit is to allow yourself to unplug from social media and news outlets! Allow yourself to destress and focus on being in the present.

Another aspect that can be seen as self-care is exploring your purpose. Purpose can be an integral part of your mental health. Determining your personal, work, and community purpose can be highly beneficial to your mental wellbeing. Being able to weave those three areas together and elevate our purpose on a daily basis is important when looking at our mental wellbeing. Determining what your values are and what matters most to you can help when looking to move forward. A strong sense of purpose has been linked to improved stress management, resiliency, and better sleep hygiene.

Our Navigate coaching department can provide both life and health coaching. We understand that change is difficult. Working with a coach can help create a blueprint for how to get more out of life by making healthier choices. Whether it’s seeking current and credible information or motivation to start living better, our coaches will help you identify and achieve your goals. Our coaches are nationally certified, reliable sources, and supported by a team of clinicians. Life coaching can support individuals who might need support with stress management, time management, self-care, grief, exploring purpose, or other areas that are impacting someone’s everyday life. Navigate coaches are ready to help along the journey!

Finding a therapist can feel a bit like dating. You may have to work with one or two before you find the right match for your personality and the goals you would like to achieve. Please don’t give up! Remember, there are multiple resources to support you on your journey.

Please speak with your dedicated Navigate account manager to gain insight into the diversity of health and life coaching services that we provide.

Finding Mental Health Resources

Finding mental health resources