More than 39% of Maryland adult residents reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression in February this year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Over three-quarters of a million Marylanders, adults have a diagnosed mental health issue. Yet over a full million residents live in an area without enough mental healthcare providers.
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 Maryland 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.
OPTUM Maryland
There is a 24/7 statewide crisis hotline sponsored by Optum. Simply dial 1-800-422-0009 for immediate assistance. The site also provides a list of mobile crisis teams broken down by county.
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 10 AM until 8 PM EST, there is a 24/7 text line available. Simply text ‘NAMI’ to 741-741 for assistance.