May is Mental Health Month: free mental health resources

by | May 24, 2021 | Health and Wellness

Hi there,

Mental health is just as important as physical health, but finding the resources to deal with anxiety, depression, or any mental health issue isn’t an easy task. Throughout this pandemic, there’s been a focus on staying physically healthy, but we can’t forget that support for mental wellbeing is just as important.

May is Mental Health Month and we wanted to let you know about some free mental health resources that are available to you. 

Virtual support groups

Mental health professionals from the state’s health department are running free, online support groups. You can join a group of your peers from the comfort of your own home. There are groups specifically for teens, older adults, parents, educators, frontline workers and those using substances to cope with pandemic stress. Click here to learn more and register to join.

Get connected with a Mental Health Center in your community

You can find more information about community health centers near you by visiting this page.

Help is a phone call (or text) away

The state of Michigan runs several hotlines for people dealing with different kinds of mental health struggles:

  • To talk with someone about distress caused by the pandemic, call 1-888-535-6136 and press “8”
  • If you are living with serious mental illness or substance use challenges and feel it will help lower your stress if you talk with someone who understands these issues, call 888-733-7753.
  • If you or someone you know is struggling, get help from the national suicide prevention lifeline at: 1-800-273-8255
  • If you are experiencing emotional stress and anxiety but are more comfortable texting than talking, get help from the Michigan Crisis Text Line by texting the keyword RESTORE to 741741.

Looking for more resources? Check out all of the mental health resources the state has to offer — there’s everything from webinars for those experiencing burnout or unemployment to videos for folks experiencing conflict at home.

This pandemic has taken a heavy toll when it comes to mental health and it’s never been more important to reduce the stigma around this kind of care and to share resources that can help. If you or a loved one is struggling, there is help.

-Office of Rep. Slotkin