Mental Health Tools & Resources

We’re in this together

Though mental illness is a health condition much like any other, we often treat it as if it’s a choice. This common misconception creates barriers to care. It takes an average of 10 years—a full decade!—for a person experiencing a mental health condition to seek the care they need.

LEARN MORE → MentalHealth.gov | Mental Health America | NAMI

Let’s get talking

Talking about mental health is a critical first step to moving forward—for our own mental well-being and for the well-being of our communities. But when we talk about mental health conditions, it’s important that we use language that demonstrates respect and acceptance.

Check your word choice, and make sure we’re being open and inclusive.

LEARN MORE → Hogg Foundation | Make It OK

Just the facts

People with mental health conditions are just that—people. People who experience anxiety, depression, substance use disorder or other illnesses, just need appropriate care. Lean in, understand the facts, and talk about it.

LEARN MORE → MentalHealth.gov | NAMI | Child Mind Institute | Walk in Our Shoes

Get help

It’s OK to need help. You’re not alone—one in five adults experiences a mental health illness each year. There are resources and people ready to help should you need to reach out.

LEARN MORE → Mental Health America | The Lifeline and 988

For the Media

The language we use to talk about mental health really matters. As an initiative of a public media organization (American Public Media), Call to Mind knows intimately that language matters in media coverage as well. As such, the Call to Mind team developed a comprehensive Media Style Guide to address appropriate ways to refer to different conditions and commonly used terms related to mental wellbeing. This guide is intended as a source for journalists and media entities, but is helpful for anyone who wants to understand the implications of their language and how they could do better when it comes to talking about mental health.

LEARN MORE → Download the Media Style Guide

Common Mental Health Conditions

ANXIETY

Anxiety - it’s common. Nearly one in five of us are dealing with an anxiety disorder in each year, and it can be overwhelming. Anxiety can be treated and there are tools to help.

LEARN MORE >> National Institute of Mental Health | National Alliance on Mental Illness

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar Disorder - it can be managed. People with bipolar can have extreme shifts in mood and energy that make it hard to carry out daily tasks. Treatment helps.

LEARN MORE >> National Institute of Mental Health | National Alliance on Mental Illness

DEPRESSION

Depression - it can happen to anyone. More than 17 million Americans deal with the potentially disabling illness. It’s common and treatment can really help you feel better.

LEARN MORE >> National Institute of Mental Health | National Alliance on Mental Illness

EATING DISORDERS

Eating Disorders - it’s not a diet choice. Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating are serious, sometimes fatal illnesses. If you're dealing with one or notice signs, talk about it, get treatment.

LEARN MORE >>   National Institute of Mental Health | National Alliance on Mental Illness | National Eating Disorders Association

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - it's not about being neat. Being neat and particular is not like having O-C-D. It’s an illness that can makes people think and do the same thing over and over.

LEARN MORE >> National Institute of Mental Health | National Alliance on Mental Illness

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - it’s an illness, not a weakness. PTSD can develop in Vets and anyone who survives an accident, disaster, or violent event. And, it can take years to emerge.

LEARN MORE >> National Institute of Mental Health | PTSD Alliance | National Alliance on Mental Illness

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia - early diagnosis (or identification) treatment is critical. Hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms usually appear in teens and young adults. And, treatment can help people with schizophrenia live great lives.

LEARN MORE >> National Institute of Mental Health | National Alliance on Mental Illness

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER

Substance Use Disorder - it's not about willpower. Alcohol, nicotine, opioids, and other drugs change the brains of people with addictive illnesses to create a physical need. Treatment can help.

LEARN MORE >> National Institute of Mental Health | SAMHSA | National Institute on Drug Abuse

SUICIDE

Suicide - it's important to talk about. Suicide is the number two killer of children and young adults, and talking about it can help save lives.

LEARN MORE >> Suicide Awareness Voices of Education

GET HELP >> Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Editor’s note: Updated to remove references to the Crisis Text Line. Reporting from Politico shows the mental health crisis organization shared conversation data with a related for-profit company. Learn more.