MDSG Mental Health Resource Guide

A practical starting point for people living with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, trauma, and related challenges, and for the people who care about them.

This guide is for people living with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, trauma, and related mental health challenges, as well as families, friends, and loved ones. It is designed as a starting point, not a substitute for professional medical, psychiatric, legal, or crisis care.

Start here if you need…

Need	Go to
Urgent emotional support	Immediate Help / Crisis Support
Local NYC/Tri-State contacts	New York City & Tri-State Area Resources
Peer groups	Peer Support and Community
A therapist, psychiatrist, or treatment program	Finding Professional Care
Trusted national organizations	Trusted National Resources
Diagnosis-specific information	Diagnosis-Specific Resources
Rights, disability benefits, workplace or housing legal help	Legal Rights and Legal Assistance
Information for families, friends, and loved ones	Information for Families, Friends, and Loved Ones
A tool for tracking symptoms	Mental Health Apps and Digital Tools
Guidance on AI tools	Using AI for Mental Health Support
Books and personal stories	Books and Personal Stories

Immediate Help / Crisis Support

Start here if someone needs urgent emotional support, crisis support, or help finding treatment.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988, or use online chat, for 24/7 crisis support in the United States. Use for suicidal thoughts, emotional crisis, or when worried about someone else.
• 988 Online Chat – Online chat option for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• NYC 988 – New York City mental health and substance use support by phone, text, or chat, 24/7.
• SAMHSA National Helpline – Treatment referral and information service for mental health and substance use concerns.
• FindTreatment.gov – Federal treatment locator for mental health and substance use services.
• Crisis Text Line – Text-based crisis support. Useful for people who communicate more easily by text than phone.

New York City & Tri-State Area Resources

Many MDSG members live in New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island, Westchester, or nearby communities. This section highlights resources that are especially relevant to the New York City metro and Tri-State area.

• MDSG-NY Support Groups – Peer-led support groups for people living with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and related conditions, and for families and loved ones.
• MDSG-NY Support Group Schedule – Current support group schedule for MDSG-NY.
• NAMI-NYC – New York City education, advocacy, helpline, peer support groups, family support groups, and classes.
• NAMI New Jersey – Statewide New Jersey mental health education, advocacy, support groups, helpline information, and local affiliate links.
• NAMI Connecticut – Connecticut mental health support, education, advocacy, classes, and affiliate resources.
• New York State Office of Mental Health – New York State mental health services, program information, crisis resources, and state system information.
• New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services – New Jersey state mental health and addiction services information.
• Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services – Connecticut state mental health and addiction services information.
• NYC Health + Hospitals Behavioral Health – Behavioral health services through New York City public hospitals and clinics.
• Fountain House – New York City clubhouse community and recovery support for people living with serious mental illness.
• Vibrant Emotional Health – New York-based nonprofit involved in crisis support, emotional health services, and national mental health programs.
• Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens Behavioral Health Services – Behavioral health services in Brooklyn and Queens.
• Mental Health and Wellness Association – Long Island mental health education, advocacy, peer support, recovery, and community services.

Peer Support and Community

Peer support can reduce isolation and help people learn from others with lived experience. These resources include MDSG, DBSA, NAMI, and other peer-oriented organizations.

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) – National peer support, education, wellness tools, and local/online support groups for people living with depression and bipolar disorder.
• DBSA Chapters and Support Groups – Search for DBSA local and online peer support groups.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Education, advocacy, peer and family support, and local affiliates across the United States.
• NAMI Support Groups – NAMI Connection groups for adults with mental health conditions and family support groups for loved ones.
• Mental Health America – Screening tools, educational resources, local affiliate finder, and advocacy.
• Mental Health Empowerment Project – Peer-run support, recovery training, advocacy, and technical assistance rooted in lived experience.

Finding Professional Care

Use these resources to look for a therapist, psychiatrist, treatment program, or lower-cost care option. MDSG does not endorse individual providers.

• NIMH: Help for Mental Illnesses – Federal guidance on finding help, including treatment, clinical trials, and when to seek support.
• Psychology Today Therapist Directory – Search for therapists by location, insurance, specialty, and availability.
• American Psychiatric Association: Find a Psychiatrist – Search tool for psychiatrists.
• Open Path Collective – Lower-cost therapy directory for people who are uninsured or underinsured.
• SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov – Search for mental health and substance use treatment providers.

Trusted National Resources

These national organizations provide reliable education, screening tools, peer support information, and condition-specific resources.

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – Federal mental health information on symptoms, treatments, research, and clinical trials.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) – Leading national organization focused on depression and bipolar disorders, including peer-led support groups, resources, and wellness tools.
• Mental Health America – National nonprofit focused on mental health screening, prevention, early intervention, education, and advocacy.
• DBSA Wellness Toolbox – Tools to communicate with providers, track symptoms and moods, and support wellness.
• PsychCentral – Mental health articles and explainers. Best used as general education, not medical advice.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – National education, advocacy, peer and family support, and local affiliate network.

Diagnosis-Specific Resources

These resources may be helpful when looking for information about a specific diagnosis or related condition.

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America – Education and resources on anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring conditions.
• CHADD – Education and support for children and adults with ADHD.
• International OCD Foundation – Education, treatment resources, and provider directory for OCD and related disorders.
• National Center for PTSD – VA resource with information, self-help tools, and treatment education for trauma and PTSD.
• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – Resources for children, adolescents, and families.
• NIMH: Bipolar Disorder – Plain-language federal information about bipolar disorder.
• NIMH: Depression – Plain-language federal information about depression.
• Mayo Clinic: Depression – Medical overview of depression symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder – Medical overview of bipolar disorder symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

Planning, Recovery, and Self-Management Tools

These tools may help people track symptoms, prepare for appointments, plan for difficult periods, and communicate more clearly with providers and loved ones.

• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) – A self-designed prevention and wellness process for getting well, staying well, and planning for hard times.
• WRAP Sample Plans and Tools – Examples and tools for creating a personal WRAP.
• DBSA Wellness Tools – Tools for tracking wellness, preparing for appointments, and managing symptoms.
• NAMI Mental Health Education – Practical guides for individuals, families, young adults, caregivers, and people navigating new diagnoses.

Legal Rights and Legal Assistance

MDSG does not provide legal advice. These organizations may provide legal information, advocacy, referrals, or representation depending on location, income, eligibility, and the issue involved.

• Job Accommodation Network: Depression – Guidance on workplace accommodations for depression.
• Job Accommodation Network: Bipolar Disorder – Guidance on workplace accommodations for bipolar disorder.
• ADA National Network: Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace – Plain-language information on mental health conditions, the ADA, and workplace accommodations.
• EEOC: Mental Health Conditions – Federal information on rights and reasonable accommodations for job seekers, employees, and employers.
• Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law – National legal advocacy organization focused on civil rights, inclusion, and equality for people with mental disabilities.
• Disability Rights New York – Protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in New York State.
• Disability Rights New Jersey – New Jersey protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities.
• Connecticut Legal Rights Project – Legal advocacy for low-income adults with mental health conditions in Connecticut.
• Legal Aid Society of New York City – Civil legal services including housing, benefits, employment, and other areas affecting low-income New Yorkers.
• New York Legal Assistance Group – Civil legal services for people experiencing poverty or crisis.
• NYLAG Disability Advocacy Project – Free legal advice and representation related to Social Security Disability and SSI benefits when eligible claims are denied or terminated.
• LegalHealth – NYLAG program providing free legal assistance in health care settings to New Yorkers with serious or chronic health problems and financial hardship.
• Legal Services of New Jersey: Mental Health – New Jersey legal information related to disability and mental health rights.
• National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives – Information and tools for documenting treatment preferences before a crisis occurs.
• Social Security Disability Benefits – Federal information on Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.

Information for Families, Friends, and Loved Ones

Family members, partners, friends, and caregivers often need support and education too. These resources can help loved ones learn how to communicate, set boundaries, and connect with support.

• NAMI Family Support Groups – Peer-led support groups for families and loved ones of people living with mental health conditions.
• NAMI Family-to-Family – Free education program for family members, partners, friends, and significant others.
• Families for Depression Awareness – Education and family-focused resources related to depression and bipolar disorder.
• LEAP Institute – Resources related to communication, engagement, and helping someone who does not believe they need treatment.
• DBSA Friends and Family Resources – Guidance for family members and friends supporting someone with depression or bipolar disorder.
• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Families and Youth – Resources for children, adolescents, and families.

Mental Health Apps and Digital Tools

Apps are tools, not treatment. Use them to track patterns, support routines, or practice skills between appointments. Check privacy settings before entering sensitive information. Delete any app that increases rumination, anxiety, compulsive checking, shame, or emotional dependence.

• eMoods – Mood tracking app designed for bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Useful for tracking sleep, symptoms, medications, and patterns to discuss with a clinician.
• MindDoc – Mood tracking, journaling, and mental health self-monitoring. Useful for reflection and symptom tracking.
• Daylio – Simple mood and activity tracker. Useful for noticing patterns between mood, routines, sleep, and activities.
• Bearable – Mood, symptom, medication, sleep, and health tracking. Useful for people managing multiple health variables.
• MindShift CBT – CBT-based anxiety management app, originally developed by Anxiety Canada.
• PTSD Coach – VA app with PTSD education, self-assessment, coping tools, and support resources. Not a replacement for professional care.
• Virtual Hope Box – Defense Health Agency coping tool for emotional regulation, distraction, relaxation, and crisis planning.
• CBT-i Coach – VA app to support cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia when used with a provider or structured sleep plan.

Using AI for Mental Health Support

AI can sometimes be useful as a writing, reflection, planning, or resource-finding tool. It should not be treated as a clinician, crisis service, or substitute for human support.

• Use AI for low-risk support: brainstorming coping ideas, preparing questions for a therapist or psychiatrist, organizing thoughts before an appointment, creating a routine, or finding words for what you are feeling.
• Do not use AI as your therapist, doctor, crisis counselor, or medication advisor.
• Do not rely on AI if you are suicidal, in crisis, feeling unsafe, experiencing mania, psychosis, paranoia, command voices, delusions, or urges to harm yourself or someone else. Contact a real person or crisis service instead.
• Do not share information you would not want stored or reviewed. Read privacy policies and avoid entering identifying details, addresses, full names, medical record numbers, or highly sensitive family information.
• Ask AI to help you connect with real-world supports: a friend, peer group, therapist, psychiatrist, crisis line, warmline, or emergency service.

Sample safer prompts

• “Help me make a list of questions to ask my psychiatrist.”
• “Help me write a short text asking a trusted friend for support tonight.”
• “Help me organize my mood notes into a summary for therapy.”
• “Give me grounding ideas I can try while I wait for my therapist to call back.”

Further reading on AI and mental health

• American Psychological Association: Health Advisory on Chatbots and Wellness Apps – Consumer safety recommendations for chatbots and wellness apps.
• National Academy of Medicine: AI Chatbots for Mental Health – Overview of potential uses, risks, and limits of AI chatbots for mental health support.
• George Mason University: AI for Mental Health Support – Practical guidance on using AI for general wellness support while protecting privacy and safety.
• OpenAI: Sensitive Conversations – OpenAI explanation of work to improve responses in conversations involving distress, self-harm, mania, psychosis, and emotional reliance.

Books and Personal Stories

Books can provide education, practical tools, and the comfort of hearing from people who have lived through similar experiences. They should not replace clinical care.

Personal Stories and Memoirs

• An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison – A widely read memoir by a psychologist living with bipolar disorder.
• The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon – A major work on depression that combines personal narrative, reporting, and research.
• Strong at the Broken Places: Voices of Illness, a Chorus of Hope by Richard M. Cohen – Personal stories of people living with serious illness and disability.
• The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness by Elyn R. Saks – A memoir by a law professor living with schizophrenia.

Trauma and Healing

• Every Memory Deserves Respect: EMDR, the Proven Trauma Therapy with the Power to Heal by Michael Baldwin and Deborah L. Korn – Accessible introduction to EMDR and trauma healing.

Books Written by Mental Health Professionals

• The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know by David J. Miklowitz – Practical guide to understanding and managing bipolar disorder.
• Heal Your Brain: How the New Neuropsychiatry Can Help You Go from Better to Well by David J. Hellerstein – Book on neuropsychiatry and recovery-oriented approaches to mental health treatment.
• Undoing Depression: What Therapy Doesn’t Teach You and Medication Can’t Give You by Richard O’Connor – Self-help book focused on habits, patterns, and recovery from depression.
• Rewire: Change Your Brain to Break Bad Habits, Overcome Addictions, Conquer Self-Destructive Behavior by Richard O’Connor – Self-help book focused on changing patterns of behavior and thinking.
• Self-Coaching: The Powerful Program to Beat Anxiety and Depression by Joseph J. Luciani – Self-help book focused on anxiety, depression, and self-talk patterns.
• The Feeling Good Handbook by David D. Burns – CBT-oriented workbook and self-help guide.
• The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal, and Jon Kabat-Zinn – Mindfulness-based approach to depression relapse prevention and chronic unhappiness.
• The Peace of Mind Prescription: An Authoritative Guide to Finding the Most Effective Treatment for Anxiety and Depression by Dennis S. Charney and Charles B. Nemeroff – Guide to treatment options for anxiety and depression.
• Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown – Accessible book on naming emotions and understanding human connection.

Books for Families

• I Am Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help! by Xavier Amador – For families and loved ones trying to communicate with someone who does not believe they need help.
• Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie – A widely used book for people navigating codependency and boundaries.
• Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children: Six Steps to Hope and Healing for Struggling Parents by Allison Bottke – For parents of adult children navigating boundaries, dependency, and difficult family dynamics.
• Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner by Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston – Practical guide for partners and loved ones of someone living with bipolar disorder.
• The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood’s Most Misunderstood Disorder by Demitri Papolos and Janice Papolos – Family-oriented guide on childhood bipolar disorder.

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This guide is reviewed at least twice per year. Mental health websites, apps, phone numbers, eligibility rules, and privacy policies change frequently. If you notice an outdated link or resource, please let us know.