Resources, resources, resources
As someone that’s got a couple of years in the trenches under their belt, I’ve to admit that I’ve done my fair share of Googling symptoms and ruminating over-familiar signs of various disorders. From taking self-tests to spending all night on Reddit, I can conclude one thing: there’s a lot of information out there.
The truth is, you just have to find it.
Over the years, I’ve come across many loved ones falling in and out with their mental health.
While most of them manage to pull themselves out of the trenches (the darker days, as we’ll think of it), some stay longer with me in the battle against intrusive thoughts and feelings of emptiness. And more often than not, my advice and help come in the form of links and articles and whatever I can find to help them get through the day.
Of course, I’ll be here to hold your hand – an intangible being on the internet you count on as somewhat of a friend – but I’ll never be able to walk a mile in your shoes. I can’t tell you how to act or react; I haven’t spent a minute in your situation, with your experiences, prejudices, thoughts, and feelings.
What I can do is direct you to qualified, credible sources that can help you.
And behold, I present a variety of resources that may or may not play a part in your attempts at self-discovery or further enlightenment. Broken down into several categories, I’ve compiled a list of articles I’ve read over the years and would recommend to a loved one of mine if and when they were in need or interested in learning more about specific mental illnesses.
The point is this: speak up, talk about it. We think we might not even find them half the time we need these resources because – would anyone else in the world feel the way I’m feeling right now?
The answer is most often: Yes. You’re not alone in your feelings and it’s not to diminish your feelings (they’re valid and so are you), but just know that there is help out there and it’s available to you now.
While limited, I hope these resources are helpful and I hope you use these when you or a loved one needs help.
Take care and stay safe out there.
x
Alex
Last updated: 16 June 2021
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
articles, stories, tips & tricks
General knowledge
What is mental health? [1] [2]
Mental Health A-Z – Very Well Mind
Take a mental health test – Mental Health America
Why do we need to talk about mental health? [1]
The importance of accepting help – National Alliance on Mental Illness [2]
Talking to your parents about mental health [1] [2] [3]
Talking to your child about mental health [1] [2] [3]
Talking to your loved ones about your mental health
A therapist’s guide to talking to friends and family about mental health – Talkspace
Disclosing to others – National Alliance on Mental Illness
How to talk to your friends about your mental health – Bustle
How can I open up to friends and family? – Mind UK
Talking to your loved ones about their mental health
What to say to someone with a mental health condition – Rogers Behavioural Health
Supporting someone with a mental health issue – Health Direct
Five helpful things to say to friends with a mental illness – Thrive Works
Supporting a friend or family member with a mental illness – Here to Help CA
How to support someone with a mental health problem – Mental Health UK
How to support a friend with mental health challenges – Child Mind Institute
What can I do about my mental health?
Ten things you can do for your mental health – University of Michigan
Ten essentials for your mental well-being – Health Hub SG
Building better mental health – Help Guide
Tips for good mental health – Here to Help CA
10 ways to reach out when you’re struggling with your mental health – Let’s Queer Things Up
Learning to accept help when living with a mental illness – Healthy Place
Mental health at the workplace
Workplace wellness: 5 ways to mind mental health at work – Top Resume
10 ways to improve mental health in the workplace – Lifespeak
Tips for employees – Heads Up AU
How to stay mentally healthy at work – Total Wellness
Work anxiety in the 'new normal' – Fingerprint for Success
MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
101s on various illnesses
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety overview – Very Well Mind
Generalised anxiety disorder overview – Very Well Mind
Obsessive-compulsive disorder overview – Very Well Mind
Panic disorder overview – Very Well Mind
Social anxiety disorder overview – Very Well Mind
Anxiety triggers – Healthline
Causes of anxiety – WebMD
What causes anxiety? – Beyond Blue AU
Types of anxiety – Beyond Blue AU
Handling anxiety
Tips to manage stress and anxiety – Anxiety & Depression Association of America
11 ways to cope with anxiety – Healthline
Simple steps to cope with anxiety – Very Well Mind
How can I help myself? – Mind UK
How to reduce anxiety – Headspace
Mood Disorders
Overview – Johns Hopkins Medicine
Bipolar disorder overview – Very Well Mind
Depression overview – Very Well Mind
Advice
8 tips for living with depression – Very Well Mind
Tips to manage depression – Anxiety & Depression Association of America
How to fight depression: 20 things to try – Healthline
How to get out of bed when depression is keeping you down – Healthline
What to do if you feel you cannot get out of bed – Medical News Today
Support / Depression
7 ways to show support – Healthline
What to say when someone is depressed – Very Well Mind
6 things never to say to a person with depression – Psycom
What to say to someone with depression – Medical News Today
Support / Bipolar disorder
What to say, what not to say – Everyday Health
What to say to someone with bipolar and what not to say – BipolarUK
Helping someone through a manic episode – University of Michigan
12 ways to show up for your friend with bipolar disorder – Self
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders overview – Very Well Mind
Anorexia overview – Very Well Mind
Binge eating overview – Very Well Mind
Bulimia overview – Very Well Mind
Support
Helping someone with an eating disorder – Help Guide
How to help a loved one – National Eating Disorders
10 helpful things to someone with an eating disorder – Beat Eating Disorders UK
Eating disorder resources – AWARE SG
Self-harm
Advice
7 alternatives to self-harm – Healthline
Distraction techniques and alternative coping strategies – Cornell Research Program
10 alternatives to self-harm – Self
Support
5 helpful things to say to a friend who self-harms – Self
How can I support someone who has self-harmed? – Samaritans
How to help someone who self-harms – Mental Health FIRST AID
What can friends and family do to help? – Mind UK
How to help a friend who is self-harming – Banner Health
Informational
Understanding why people cut themselves, hide it, and how to help – Helpline
A new look at self-injury – American Psychological Association
Suicide
Overview – Very Well Mind
Helping someone in crisis – Samaritans of Singapore
What to do when a friend is suicidal – Very Well Mind
How to help when someone is suicidal – SANE Australia
Having a conversation with someone you’re worried about – Beyond Blue
How to help a suicidal friend – Healthline