Mental health plays a crucial role in living a healthy and balanced life. As it encompasses our psychological, emotional, and social well-being, mental health shows an impact on how we feel, think, and react as well. More than 450 million people suffer from mental disorders. According to WHO, by the year 2020, depression will constitute the second largest disease burden worldwide. The global burden of mental health is beyond the treatment capacities in both developed and developing countries. Here is the list of helplines that we can use whenever we need someone to listen to.
Also Read: Understanding Psychosomatic Aspects of Mental Illness & its Symptoms
INDIA
Though India is still a developing country and most of the people still believe that depression is not a thing, the nation still has so many helplines like The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF), Mitram Foundation, Arpita Suicide Prevention Helpline, Sneha, iCALL, Sahai, Lifeline, Sumaitri, COOJ Mental Health Foundation, Roshni Trust, Samaritans Mumbai, and Parivarthan.
UNITED KINGDOM
There are loads of resources here to find advice on mental health issues. The list includes NHS Choices, Royal College of Psychiatrists, The Mental Health Foundation, RETHINK, Time To Change, Mind, Breathing Space, Scottish Association for Mental Health, Support in Mind Scottland, BI Polar UK, Saneline, Moodjuice, Be Mindful, Shout, Childline, Young Minds, Kooth.com, The Mix, Papyrus, Students Against Depression, Campaign Against Living Miserably, Depression UK, OvercomeDeppression.co.uk, etc.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
From alcohol deaddiction to panic attacks, USA offers so many services for its citizens’ wellbeing which include National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, National Hopeline Network, Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Trevor Helpline, Crisis Text Line, IMAlive, National Runaway Safeline, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America and so many non-profit groups for mental illnesses and disorders including panic disorder information hotline, Depression and bipolar support alliance, etc.
CANADA
There is a bunch of resources dedicated to the prevention of suicide including National Crisis Hotlines, Kids Help Phone, Crisis Services Canada, First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line, Canada Drug Rehab Addiction Services Directory, National Eating Disorder Information Centre, National resources for information about mental illness, Bell Let’s Talk, Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Psychological Association, Mood Disorders Society of Canada, Schizophrenia Society of Canada, Mental Health Commission, Canadian Mental Health Association – British Columbia Division, HeretoHelp, Howe Sunshine & Sunshine Coast, Aboriginal Wellness Program, B.C. Psychological Association – Find a Psychologist, Suicide Information and Education Services, Psychologists Association of Alberta – Find a Psychologist, Toronto Distress Centre, Mental Health Crisis Line, etc.
MALAYSIA
Befrienders is a great resource for centers all over Malaysia with the relevant numbers for mental health-related issues which provide emotional support 24 hours, every day for people who are lonely, in distress, in despair, or having suicidal thoughts.
AUSTRALIA
Here people who are in crisis and need to talk to someone about their distress can contact beyond blue, Lifeline Australia, Mensline Australia, Kids Help Line, Black Dog Institute, Suicide Prevention Services, Suicide Callback Service, Wesley LifeForce, StandBy Response Service – United Synergies Ltd, etc.
PAKISTAN
People who are suffering from mental health issues and are seeking professional help can contact mental health services like Talk2me.pk, Baat Karo, Rozan, Counseling.pk etc.
BANGLADESH
One of the most popular resources people with mental illness can find the support of ‘Kaan Pete Roi’ which is the first helpline for Bangladesh.
SRILANKA
Some of the best and most reliable services that provide psychological support in Sri Lanka include Sumithrayo, Mel Medura, Alokaya Counselling Centre – FPA Sri Lanka, Shanthi Maargam, Samutthana, CCC Foundation, Institute of Mental Health (IMH), National Council for Mental Health (NCMH) – Sahanaya, Women in Need (WIN), Arnaha Center for Wellbeing, etc.
NEW ZEALAND
Some of the services available in New Zealand that offer support, information include Suicide Crisis Helpline, Healthline, Samaritans, Depression-specific helplines, SPARX.org.nz, Youthline, What’s Up, EDANZ, Family Services 211 Helpline, Skylight, etc.
FRANCE
SOS Help is the best and popular helpline in France which focuses on helping English speakers deal with emotional breakdowns, feelings like homesick, isolated, and even help with regular questions as well.
GERMANY
One of the few helping resources in Germany is TelefonSeelsorge. Advice or help seekers have many topics they can talk with them. Be it a problem with a partner, bullying at school or at work, loss of job, addiction, illness, loneliness, meaning crises, spiritual questions, or suicidality, germans can simply call them.
ITALY
There is a website for the Samaritans in Italy which is www.samaritansonlus.org
KENYA
Befrienders have been doing great work for people who are suffering from mental illness in Kenya.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
A new hotline is now set up recently in the UAE which acknowledges mental health issues and supports the affected people.
