Resources

Mental Health Resource Hub: Free Support When You Need It

At The Can't Scared Project, our heart is in supporting our incredible athletes through their mental health journeys, but we don't stop there. We believe everyone deserves easy access to free mental health resources, whether you're looking for support, information, or a sense of community. Remember, you are absolutely not alone, and help is always here for you.

Immediate Crisis Support

If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out to these services right away. They are available 24/7.

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
    • Call or Text: 988
    • Chat: 988lifeline.org
      • Provides free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources.
  • Crisis Text Line:
    • Text: HOME to 741741
      • Connects you with a trained crisis counselor 24/7.
  • Veterans Crisis Line:
    • Call: 988, then press "1"
    • Text: 838255
    • Chat: Online at their website
      • A 24-hour, confidential resource for veterans, service members, National Guard members, active military personnel, their families, and caregivers.

General Mental Health Support & Information

These organizations offer a wide range of resources, from helplines and support groups to educational materials and screening tools.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) (M-F, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. ET)

Text: NAMI to 62640

Website: nami.org

The nation's largest grassroots mental health organization providing support, education, and advocacy. Offers peer-led support groups (NAMI Connection for individuals with mental health conditions and NAMI Family Support Group for loved ones).

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
    • National Helpline (Treatment Referral Routing Service): 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (24/7, confidential)
    • Website: samhsa.gov
      • Leads national efforts to advance behavioral health, offering resources for mental health, substance use, and community well-being.
  • Mental Health America (MHA):
    • Website: mhanational.org
      • Offers free screening tools for various mental health conditions, educational resources, support group connections, and directories for low-cost services.
  • Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA):
    • Website: adaa.org
      • Provides free peer-to-peer support groups for those battling anxiety, depression, and other related conditions. Also offers informative articles and self-help resources.
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
    • Website: nimh.nih.gov
      • The lead federal agency for research on mental disorders, offering expert-reviewed information, statistics, and free brochures and fact sheets on various mental health topics.

Athlete-Specific Mental Health Resources

The pressures and unique experiences of athletes can impact mental well-being. These resources are tailored to the needs of the athletic community.

  • Athletes for Hope (AFH):
    • Website: athletesforhope.org/what-we-do/afh-mental-health/
      • Their "Whole Being Athlete Resource Hub" offers a comprehensive mental health resource guide, "Therapy 101" guide, and even free QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training specifically for athletes, retired athletes, and coaches.
  • The Hidden Opponent:
    • Website: thehiddenopponent.org
      • A non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness for student-athlete mental health, reducing stigma, and providing resources and powerful athlete stories.
  • Courage First Athlete Helpline:
    • Website: athletehelpline.org
      • A no-cost call, text, and chat service for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone in sports communities with questions or concerns about abuse or mental well-being in athletics. Provides inspiring stories and crucial athlete resources.
  • Athlete Minds Matter:
    • Website: athletemindsmatter.com
      • Offers a "mental wellness toolkit" designed specifically for student-athletes, including interactive activities, mental health stories from athletes, and journaling prompts. Also features a support forum.
  • NCAA Sport Science Institute:
    • Website: ncaa.org/sports/2016/8/4/mental-health-educational-resources.aspx
      • Provides educational resources and best practices for student-athlete mental health, including fact sheets on anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and suicide prevention.
  • Olympics.com #MentallyFit:
  • Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression Foundation (AAADF):
    • Website: aaadfoundation.org/free-therapy/
      • Dedicated to providing resources for anyone battling mental health issues, with a focus on anxiety and depression. They specifically mention a "Free Therapy Resource" to help connect individuals with therapists at no cost.

Online Communities & Peer Support

Connecting with others who understand can be incredibly beneficial. These platforms offer free online communities and support groups.

  • 7 Cups:
    • Website: 7cups.com
      • Provides free online emotional support with trained volunteer listeners via anonymous chat 24/7. Also features message boards, forums, and group support chats.
  • The Tribe – Wellness Community (TherapyTribe):
    • Website: support.therapytribe.com
      • A free online support community for a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, addiction recovery, and more. Offers chat rooms, forums, and wellness activities.
  • LiveWell Foundation:
    • Website: livewell-foundation.org/supportgroups
      • Offers free, confidential online depression support groups (including for teens, seniors, and those in recovery) that are peer-led and focus on evidence-based strategies. No registration or waiting lists.
  • WEconnect Health:
    • Website: weconnecthealth.io/free-online-support-meetings
      • Provides free online meetings as a safe space for anyone with quality of life concerns seeking community, wellness, and personal growth, including for mental health, grief, and substance/alcohol use.

Helpful Free Apps

These mobile applications can provide tools and exercises for managing your mental well-being on the go. Many are excellent for athletes seeking to build mental resilience.

What's Up?: (iOS & Android)

Uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) methods to help with depression, anxiety, and stress. Includes a habit tracker and grounding techniques, useful for athletes managing performance anxiety.

  • MindShift CBT: (iOS & Android)
    • Designed for teens and young adults with anxiety, encouraging a change in how you think about anxiety with evidence-based strategies, guided meditations, and relaxation exercises. Highly relevant for young athletes.
  • Self-Help for Anxiety Management (SAM): (iOS & Android)
    • Allows users to build a 24-hour anxiety toolkit, track anxious thoughts, and learn 25 different self-help techniques. Also has a "Social Cloud" for connecting with other users.
  • MoodTools: (iOS & Android)
    • Aims to support people with clinical depression through helpful videos, thought logging using CBT principles, and a suicide safety plan.
  • PTSD Coach: (iOS & Android)
    • Created by the VA, this app offers a self-assessment for PTSD, tools for finding support, positive self-talk, and anger management. Customizable based on individual needs, potentially useful for athletes who have experienced trauma.
  • Breathe2Relax: (iOS & Android)
    • A portable stress management tool that teaches diaphragmatic breathing to decrease the body's 'fight-or-flight' stress response, incredibly useful for athletes for pre-competition calming and managing stress.
  • Happify: (iOS & Android)
    • Offers psychologist-approved mood-training programs through engaging games, activities, and gratitude prompts to train your brain to overcome negative thoughts and build resilience.

Additional Specialized Resources

  • The Trevor Project: (for LGBTQ youth)
    • Call: 1-866-488-7386
    • Text: START to 678-678
    • Chat: Online at their website
      • Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people.
  • Warmline.org:
    • Website: warmline.org
      • Connects individuals with trained counselors for less immediate mental health issues, offering an empathetic and listening ear.

Disclaimer: This webpage provides a list of free mental health resources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact the appropriate crisis services or seek professional help immediately.