Approximately 650,000 Louisianan adults and approximately 245,000 Louisianan children suffer from a diagnosable mental disease. Around 3.6% of adults in the state suffer from a serious mental illness. In a state with nearly five million people, this is a big deal. Making matters worse, the state consistently ranks among the bottom ten states for access to mental healthcare, most recently placing 45th.
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 Louisiana 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.
Louisiana DOH
The state’s Department of Health offers a multitude of resources on its website. There is a list of links by county, as well as a few phone numbers for specific issues. Louisiana takes part in the 2-1-1 program, so dial that number for mental health help.
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.