Nearly one and a half million Virginian adults live with some form of mental illness. More than 300,000 of them suffer from an SMI, or serious mental illness. Matters don’t get better for the youth of Virginia. Among 10-to-24-year-olds, suicide is the third leading cause of death. VA continuously ranks near the middle of the list of states when it comes to overall mental health, but the fact is that more than half of Virginians with mental conditions do not receive treatment.
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 Virginia 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.
VDH Resources
The Virginia Department of Health, through its website, offers a multitude of free resources for all state residents. Among these resources is the Mental Health America of Virginia Warm Line, which can be reached at 866-400-6428. It’s staffed M to F from 9 AM to 9 PM, and on weekends from 5 PM to 9 PM.
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.