Frequently Asked Questions

What is mental healthcare?

Mental healthcare is a service or program to diagnose, manage, or treat a mental disorder or illness, like depression or anxiety. Just like we all need regular healthcare to make sure our physical bodies work properly and to repair any damage, we need mental healthcare to help our minds work well and to manage or treat conditions that affect our abilities to relate to others and function on a daily basis. Mental healthcare is provided by mental health professionals, such as a therapist or counselor, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or a clinical social worker. Care may be provided in outpatient (clinic, doctor's office, or therapist's office) or inpatient (hospital) settings and may consist of therapy, medication, or both, depending on your diagnosis.

Who is the intended audience of this Website?

This Website (www.mental.healthcare) is meant for mental health consumers who are looking for help for either themselves or someone they care about, like a family member or friend. One of the main reasons people don’t get mental healthcare is because they don’t know where to get help. You can use this website to learn about some of the resources that can help you or someone you care about get necessary emotional support and care for mental illness (and substance use disorder, if necessary). Many of the resources on this website offer free and confidential support and some provide referrals to licensed mental health professionals who can provide you or your loved one with more information and appropriate treatment.

How should I use the resources on this Website?

Depending on who you are (or who your loved one is), some resources may be more relevant of appropriate than others. For example, if you have both a mental illness and a substance use disorder, you may want to prioritize resources that specialize in treating both disorders. If you are in the military or are a veteran, you may want to consider resources for members of the military community. You'll always want to speak with a licensed mental health professional for proper diagnosis and treatment and to answer your personal mental health questions. The resources on this website can help you get in contact with a mental health professional.

I don’t have insurance and need mental healthcare. How can I get care?

Visit our Paying for Mental Healthcare page to learn about some options for getting care without insurance.

I have a strong support network of family and friends. Why should I consider mental healthcare with a licensed professional mental health provider?

Having a strong support network of family and friends is great! One of the benefits of having such a strong support network is emotional support. Your relationships with family and friends are one factor that can reduce the risk of suicide and help you cope with a mental illness. Even so, while your family and friends love and care about you, they may not always know what to say or how to help or support you when you experience emotional distress or a mental health crisis. Also, at times you may deal with something that you're not yet ready to share with them. Perhaps you'd feel more comfortable sharing certain things you're going through with someone else. Even with a strong support network of family and friends, if you find yourself struggling emotionally or wanting help to process some of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors you may still benefit from speaking with a therapist or other licensed mental health professional.

I am concerned about the mental health of someone in my family (or a friend). How should I address it with them?

Talking about our mental health may not be easy or comfortable. You may be worried about saying the wrong thing or how your loved one will respond. In general, your tone, the location, and the timing are key. Speak with the right tone (genuine concern) in the right place (in private, not in public or on social media) and at the right time (when things are calm and peaceful) to help you and your loved one have an important conversation about their mental health and getting help. Know, too, that your loved one may not be open to a lengthy discussion at first, so it may help you to prepare some brief remarks or talking points, including where they can get help. Showing you care about their mental health can be an important first step to them getting help later. Visit MentalHealth.gov's Talk About Mental Health website for tips on discussing mental health with friends and loved ones. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers more tips on helping someone else.

I am concerned about someone in my family (or a friend) and suggested that they should seek therapy, but they refused. What should I do?

It can hurt when you're worried about the mental health of someone you care about and they refuse to get help after you've suggested it, but you may not be able to do much of anything unless that person is an immediate threat or danger to themself or someone else. You can suggest therapy, but you can't force anyone to see a therapist. What you can do is continue to offer emotional support for that person to the best of your ability while also taking care of yourself. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers more tips on helping someone else.

How often is this Website updated?

This Website is updated on a regular basis with new resources and information. The topic of mental health is huge and the amount of information available online is constantly expanding as more new content is created. See our Linking Policy for more information about how we choose what content to link to and include.