Mental Health First Aid Resources

If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others call 911 or one of the national crisis resources below. 

National Crisis Resources 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 
1–800–273–TALK (1-800-273-8255) 
This is a crisis hotline that can help with many issues, not just suicide. For example, anyone who feels sad, hopeless, or suicidal; family and friends who are concerned about a loved one; or anyone interested in mental health treatment referrals can call the Lifeline. Callers are connected with a professional nearby who will talk with them about what they are feeling or concerns for other family and friends. Call the toll-free Lifeline, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. 

Crisis Text Line 
Text “MHFA” to 741741 
Available 24/7, 365 days a year, this organization helps people with mental health challenges by connecting callers with trained crisis volunteers who will provide confidential advice, support, and referrals if needed. 

Lifeline Crisis Chat 
www.crisischat.org
Visit www.crisischat.org to chat online with crisis centers around the United States.

The Trevor Project 
Call 866-488-7386 or Text “START” to 678678 
https://www.thetrevorproject.org
Trained counselors available 24/7 to support youth who are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment free place to talk. Specializing in supporting the LGBTQI+ community. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline
Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

Finding a Behavioral Health Provider 

The National Council for Behavioral Health 
https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/providers/?region=
Search for organizations that are committed to providing mental health services to anyone in the community who needs it regardless of their ability to pay. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help
SAMHSA provides information on mental health services and treatment centers through an online service locator. You can search by your location, whether or not they provide services for youth, payment options (private insurance, cash, or something else), languages spoken, etc. 

Additional Resources 

Mental Health First Aid USA 
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/mental-health-resources/
The Mental Health First Aid website has additional resources related to the most common mental disorders.

Self-Care and Reflections

• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) provides tips for self-care in addition to Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting.

• Take a moment of pause with this poem on Ritualwell, written by a parent on reading the news of this tragedy and find other personal essays.

Starting Difficult Conversations

• Child Mind Institute offers advice for Going Back to School After a Tragedy.

• Talking to children about terrorist attacks and school and community shootings in the news – Q&A with common questions from youth in this moment, from Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles’ National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement. 

• Guiding Adults in Talking to Children About Death and Attending Services, created by the NCTSN, covers grief responses, how to talk about death, and guidance for families attending memorials or community vigils.

Resources For Educators

• The Jewish Education project has a curated collection of resources, Responding to Gun Violence, to support students and educators after community trauma.

Preventing Gun Violence

• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism shares information on gun violence prevention.