Alaska continuously rates among states with the highest suicide rate, as well as among states with the highest substance abuse per capita. Furthermore, the depression rate in Alaska is higher than the national average. In 2018, nearly 55% of Alaskan residents did not receive health care for their mental illness. No other state even crossed the halfway mark, statistically making Alaska the state with the least amount of treatment for mental health.
Fortunately, there’s help. No shortage of providers (or shortage of funds) should ever prevent you from getting the help you deserve. The following resources are free of charge, confidential, and available to all Alaska residents. Help yourself or someone you love today.
The National Mental Health Hotline
If you need to connect with a mental health specialist, call 1-866-903-3787 right now. A trained professional will take your call and assist you however she or he can. A world of resources is waiting for you. The hotline is available to all US residents and operates on a 24/7 basis.
Alaska Suicide & Crisis Hotlines
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline partners with nearly all US states to provide locally-based suicide and crisis hotlines. Broken down by county, the comprehensive list of resources can be found on their site. You can also call the national line at 1-800-273-8255.
NAMI Helpline & More
The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a wealth of resources, including the NAMI Helpline, which can be reached by calling 1-800-950-6264 or by emailing info@nami.org. Although the helpline is only available Monday through Friday from 10AM until 8PM EST, there is a 24/7 text-line available. Simply text ‘NAMI’ to 741-741 for assistance.