Resource Library
Below are some resources that LifeAct has collected to help you learn more about mental health. Check back for frequent updates!
Depression
Depression, Illustrated
What does depression look and feel like for people who experience it? This is a really creative video that helps show how people with depression visualize their lives, and how depression can feel different for different people.
HelpGuide.org
Website with information and resources about depression, including signs and symptoms and coping with depression and suicidal thoughts.
How Your Brain Works When You're Depressed
This video explains the science behind depression, and how it affects your brain. It goes to show that depression is more than just a feeling or state of being, it is a brain disease--and there's a reason you might be feeling this way.
Mental Health America
Website with comprehensive information on a wide variety of mental health topics.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
This website and organization has resources for young people experiencing mental illness, support groups, as well as resources for families to work through mental illness together.
The Hilarious World of Depression
This is a podcast in which people are interviewed and share their stories about the ups and downs of clinical depression, while also giving some tips and tools to coping with all the forms depression can take. This show can be helpful if you're struggling with your own symptoms or know someone with depression.
What Suicide Survivors Want You to Know
This video shows people who have survived a suicide attempt, and they tell you their story as well as how they started feeling better.
Anxiety
Stress or Anxiety?
Learn the difference between stress and anxiety, how they co-exist, and what signs to to keep eye out for.
What does treatment for mental illness look like?
What I Learned from Therapy
People share the lessons they learned from going to therapy, and why they think it is an important tool.
What I learned in therapy pt. 2
People share the lessons they learned from going to therapy, and why they think it is an important tool.
How do I talk about it?
Breaking the Stigma, Signs of Suicide, Getting Help, and Tools for Grieving
This resources is packed with information about how to help break the stigma, recognize the signs of suicide, help someone in crisis, and tools for grieving a loss.
How to Start (and Continue) a Conversation About Mental Health
You don’t need special training to have an open, authentic conversation about mental health
If Someone Tells You They're Thinking About Suicide
A great resource to help you respond to someone when they express that they're thinking about suicide and how to connect them to help.
Reaching Out for Help- AFSP
It can be hard to talk about your mental health, particularly if you’re struggling. But reaching out for help by having a #RealConvo with someone in your life is a necessary step to take in feeling better. It’s also a strong thing to do. Here is some straightforward guidance for having a conversation that can make all the difference.
Seize the Awkward
This website gives tips for talking with your friends about mental health. It also gives information about why it's important to check in with your friends, how to start an awkward conversation, and shares stories from famous people who have struggled with mental health or supported their friends.
You Matter
This is a great resource--it is a blog where posts are written by a rotating Blogger Council of individuals between the ages of 13-24 who are passionate about suicide prevention and mental health. It is a safe space for youth to discuss and share stories about mental health and wellness that was created by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Intersectional mental health
BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health)
LGBTQ+ Cleveland
The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland is a safe place for people in the LGBTQ+ community--they have lots of programs and resources for LGBTQ+ youth in Cleveland. Check out their website for information on their local programs, support groups, and events!
The Trevor Project
The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people under 25.
Therapy for Black Girls
This is an amazing site and resource which recognizes that the stigma surrounding mental health issues and therapy prevents Black women from taking the step of seeing a therapist. This space was developed to present mental health topics in a way that feels more accessible and relevant. The website has a tool for finding therapists in your area, as well as a podcast that centers on the mental health experiences of black women--it is run by clinical psychologist Joy Harden Bradford and helps demystify therapy itself and the stigma surrounding it.
WeRNative
A comprehensive resource for Native youth BY Native youth, promoting holistic health and positive growth in local communities and the nation at large.
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorder Hope
Eating Disorder Hope provides information and resources to those who are affected by eating or body image disorders.
F.E.A.S.T.
F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders) is an international nonprofit for parents and other family members who love someone who is affected by an eating disorder
National Center for Eating Disorders
The National Center for Eating Disorders has a mission to support individuals and families who are affected by eating disorders. This link will also get you to their help/crisis support where you can call, text, or use a chat line: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline
Project Heal
Project Heal helps individuals affected by an eating disorder access treatment through referral support; insurance navigation; and financial assistance.
Recovery Warriors
Recovery Warriors’ website lists podcasts, books, music, and apps designed to support individuals affected by an eating disorder.
Self-care
HeadSpace
Headpsace is an app that provides tons of guided meditations with many different focuses. They have topics such as: finding focus, handling sadness, Happiness, Kindness, managing anxiety, self-esteem, sleep, and many more.headsp
InsightTimer
Insight Timer is an app that offers many free resources, such as guided meditations in different languages, meditative music, sleep meditation and music.
Types of Self-Care for Mental Health
This article explains the different types of self care, and what you can do to take care of yourself in different areas of your life.
What is mindfulness and why is it important?
This article explains what mindfulness is and why it is important.