Mental Health Support (General):

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Free, 24/7 immediate crisis counseling via phone or text for anyone in the U.S. experiencing mental health distress. Call or text 988 to be connected to a trained counselor (confidential support available 24/7/365). This nationwide lifeline (formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is free and available to people of all ages.

Crisis Text Line – Free, 24/7 mental health support by text message. Simply text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor at any time. This service is confidential and helps texters move from a “hot” moment of crisis to a calmer state. (You can also reach Crisis Text Line via Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, and texting is available in English and Spanish.)

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – The nation’s largest grassroots mental health nonprofit, providing free ongoing support and education. NAMI offers free support groups (for individuals with mental illness and for families), evidence-based education programs, and a free nationwide HelpLine (📞 800-950-6264, text “NAMI” to 62640, or email) for information and support.

Mental Health America (MHA) – A leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental wellness for all Americans. MHA provides free resources like confidential mental health screenings, educational materials, and tools for finding help. They focus on prevention, early intervention, and recovery, and their online screening site can help you assess conditions like depression or anxiety and guide you to next steps. (All MHA screenings are free and anonymous, and their website also offers self-help ideas and peer support options.)

Chronic Illness & Invisible Disability Resources:

Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) – A nonprofit that connects and supports people with invisible illnesses and disabilities (conditions that aren’t immediately visible). IDA hosts an online support community where individuals with chronic illness, pain, and invisible disabilities can find understanding and encouragement. It’s free to join (hosted on Inspire, a large health community platform) and offers peer support from thousands of members. IDA’s mission is to educate, encourage, and connect those living with invisible challenges so they know they’re not alone.

The EPIC Foundation – Empowering People with Invisible Chronic Illness (EPIC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing emotional support, advocacy, and tools for those affected by chronic illnesses. Staffed by trained psychologists and volunteers, EPIC offers resources for patients and caregivers to help them “find hope, find help, find an advocate.” They operate a toll-free support line (☎️ 1-888-862-5554) for peer counseling and assistance. (This is not therapy or a 24/7 crisis line, but you can leave a message and get a call back within 1-2 business days) Membership is free, and the foundation focuses on healing the mind, body, and spirit – addressing trauma and loss that often accompany chronic illness.

Center for Chronic Illness (CCI) – A nonprofit organization offering free, professionally-facilitated support groups for anyone living with a chronic illness or rare disease. All groups meet virtually (online) and are led by licensed mental health professionals. These are not therapy sessions but safe support forums to share experiences and coping strategies. CCI runs general chronic illness groups as well as specialized groups (for example: young adults, teens, COVID long-haulers, body image and chronic illness, etc.), including specific groups for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals with chronic illness. Programs are offered at no cost nationwide, helping to reduce isolation and build community for those with ongoing health challenges.

LGBTQ+ Community Support:

The Trevor Project – A leading national organization providing free, 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth (generally aimed at ages 13–24). Trained counselors are available 24/7 via phone (📞 1-866-488-7386), text (text START to 678-678), or online chat, to support any young LGBTQ person in crisis. The service is 100% confidential and free. Trevor’s counselors understand the unique challenges LGBTQ youth face and will listen without judgment. (Trevor also offers TrevorSpace, an online community for LGBTQ youth, and many resources on coming out, mental health, etc.)

Trans Lifeline – A peer support hotline run by and for transgender people. This is a confidential phone line where trans and questioning callers can talk to a trans/nonbinary counselor for support, even if it’s not an acute crisis. The hotline is free and staffed exclusively by trans community members, offering empathy and understanding. 📞 U.S. callers can dial (877) 565-8860 (Spanish-speaking option available by pressing 2). Note: As of 2025, Trans Lifeline’s hours are roughly 10am–10pm US Eastern Time on weekdays (not 24/7), but it strives to answer whenever volunteers are available. Importantly, Trans Lifeline has a policy of no non-consensual active rescue – they will not call emergency services or police without your consent, making it a safer space to talk through problems.

LGBT National Help Center – Provides several nationwide peer-support services for the LGBTQIA+ community, all free and confidential. These include: the LGBT National Hotline (general help and referral hotline at 📞 888-843-4564, also known as 888-OUT-LGBT), the LGBT National Youth Talkline (📞 800-246-7743, for youth up to age 25), and the LGBT Senior Hotline (📞 888-234-7243, for ages 50+). Trained volunteers offer one-on-one support, information, and local resource referrals. Hours: Monday–Friday 4pm–midnight Eastern, and Saturday noon–5pm Eastern for the hotlines. They also offer online peer-chat support and an email Q&A service via their website LGBThotline.org.

SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline – A special 24/7 support line dedicated to LGBTQ older adults (run by SAGE, an organization for LGBTQ seniors). 📞 1-877-360-LGBT (5428) is available 24/7, in English and Spanish, with translation in 180 languages. Friendly responders provide emotional support, crisis intervention, or just a listening ear for LGBT elders and their caregivers. This service is free and affirms that you’re never too old to find acceptance and support in the community.

BIPOC & Minority Mental Health Support:

Call BlackLine – A 24/7 national hotline geared toward Black, Indigenous, and People of Color – including Black LGBTQ+, Brown, Native American, and Muslim communities (though no one will be turned away). This free, confidential line (📞 1-800-604-5841) provides a space for peer support and crisis counseling by trained volunteers of color. BlackLine was created not only to support BIPOC individuals in emotional crisis, but also to allow reporting of negative or traumatic experiences (such as racially motivated mistreatment or police encounters) in an anonymous, safe way. Whether you’re in distress or just need someone who understands cultural context to talk to, BlackLine is available 24/7 to listen and help.

The Steve Fund (Crisis Text Line partnership) – The Steve Fund focuses on mental health for young people of color. They’ve partnered with Crisis Text Line to offer a culturally responsive text support service: If you are a young person of color feeling stressed, depressed, or anxious, you can text “STEVE” to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24/7. This service is free and confidential, and counselors are trained to support the unique emotional needs and experiences of people of color. (The Steve Fund also provides programs and resources for families and colleges to support the mental wellness of students of color.)

BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) – An organization dedicated to the emotional well-being of Black communities. BEAM is not a hotline, but a collective of advocates, therapists, educators, and activists working to remove the barriers that Black people face in accessing mental health care. They offer trainings, workshops, and community-based healing initiatives, and envision a world where there are no barriers to Black healing. (On their site you can find toolkits and a directory of Black virtual support circles. Their work is aimed at long-term empowerment and systemic change to support Black mental health.)

Inclusive Therapists – This is a useful resource to find ongoing support: Inclusive Therapists is a mental health directory and community that centers BIPOC and other marginalized identities. It helps you find therapists who are culturally affirming and LGBTQIA+ friendly, and who honor all intersectional identities and abilities. The platform is free to use and emphasizes justice and equity in mental health care, aiming to dismantle systemic oppression in therapy spaces. (If you prefer therapy or support groups with someone who shares or respects your cultural background, this directory can be a great tool. Many therapists offer sliding-scale or low-cost options as well.)

Note: All the above resources are U.S.-based and open to all (no specific age restrictions unless noted). Most crisis services listed (like 988, Trevor, BlackLine, etc.) are free and available 24/7 for immediate support. The ongoing support organizations (NAMI, IDA, CCI, support hotlines with set hours, etc.) are also free to access; some may have specific meeting times or response hours as noted. Always reach out – help is available and you are not alone in whatever invisible battle you’re facing. These resources can provide immediate crisis help, as well as continuous community support and understanding over the long term.