Depression Resources

Depression is a common mental disorder that can have a serious impact on your well-being and quality of life. Depressive episodes affect an estimated 21 million US adults on an annual basis, including 10.5 percent of all adult women.

It’s easy to feel alone when you’re depressed. However, the reality is that help for depression is all around you, with several resources, organizations and hotlines that you can turn to for expert help when you’re feeling down. 

Below, we’ve provided a list of depression resources that you can use if you’ve been diagnosed with a depressive disorder, think you may have depression or just feel stressed or unhappy with your current situation in life. 

For each resource, we’ve talked about how it works, the type of help that’s available and, if it’s a hotline or care organization, how you can use it to access help.

There’s a wealth of information online about depression, although identifying reliable information isn’t always easy. In addition to our detailed guide to depression, the resources below offer high-quality information about how depression feels and your options for treating it:

• NIMH depression guides. The National Institute of Mental Health provides detailed and helpful guides for common depressive disorders, including major depression, postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder.

• MentalHealth.gov. This one-stop website for US government mental health resources is operated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It features guides and other content about depression and other common mental health disorders.

There are several mental health organizations and institutes in the United States dedicated to helping people with depression. Many of these organizations offer services, while others may provide information and other mental health resources:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is the country’s largest grassroots organization for people affected by mental illness and their families. The NAMI website features a large library of educational content about mental health and treatments.

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). A part of the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Mental Health is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC maintains a small but helpful collection of online depression resources, including guides to dealing with stress and coping with difficulties in life. 

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). The ADAA is a nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to increasing awareness and promoting the diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety.
  The ADAA offers several online resources for depression, including useful guides to help people understand depression and anxiety and tools for finding help.  

• Postpartum Support International (PSI). PSI is an organization that raises awareness about the mental health difficulties women experience during pregnancy and after giving birth.
  The PSI operates a non-emergency helpline (1-800-944-4773) for mothers, fathers and family members in need of mental health help. 

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). The DBSA is an organization that provides hope, help and support to people with depression or bipolar disorder. Services offered by the DBSA include local support groups that can be found in many cities.

• American Psychiatric Association (APA). The APA is a professional organization for psychiatrists and trainee psychiatrists. It offers services for mental health professionals and resources for people with depression and their families.

• American Psychological Association (APA). The American Psychological Association (also referred to as the APA) is a professional organization for psychologists. The APA is a major publisher of research and educational resources on psychological disorders.

If you have depression, one of the best things you can do is to talk to a licensed mental health provider about receiving treatment. Several online tools and services exist to help you get help for depression, including the following:

• SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator. This free search tool from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration lets you locate mental health facilities based on your address, city or ZIP code.

• APA Psychologist Locator. Provided by the American Psychological Association, this tool lets you search for licensed psychologists by specific practice area in your city, state or ZIP code.

• Find a Psychiatrist. Provided by the American Psychiatric Association, this online tool lets you search for psychiatrists in your area. Advanced search options are available for specific disorders, patient populations and languages.

You can also access professional help from your home using our online mental health services, such as psychiatry and online therapy. 

If you’re experiencing severe depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts or going through a mental health emergency, it’s important to access help as soon as possible. The following mental health hotlines and emergency services can provide immediate assistance and care:

• Emergency Medical Services (911). If you or a loved one need urgent care or are in a life-threatening situation, you can call 911 to get immediate assistance from Emergency Medical Services.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). If you feel suicidal, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive free, confidential support.
  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers support in English at the number above, or in Spanish (1-888-628-9454) and for individuals who are deaf or have hearing issues (1-800-799-4889).

• SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-4357). SAMHSA operates a free, confidential hotline for people facing mental health issues or substance use disorders. The hotline is available in English and in Spanish and operates 24/7, 365 days a year.

• Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741). If you need text-based support, the Crisis Text Line offers 24/7 access to crisis counselors who can provide help with depression, eating disorders, anxiety and other mental health conditions.

Our full lists of crisis and mental health hotlines and depression hotline numbers provide more information about these services, as well as other hotlines that you can use if you need urgent mental health assistance. 

Depression is a serious mood disorder. If you’re feeling depressed, it’s important to seek expert help so that you can learn about the most effective treatment options and start making progress towards a happier, more fulfilling life. 

It’s especially important to seek professional help if you have severe depression, or if you often think of death or suicide. 

You can seek help for depression by talking to your primary care provider about a mental health referral, or by meeting with a licensed mental health provider in your local area. 

If you’d prefer to seek treatment from home, you can connect with a mental health professional online using our online mental health services and receive professional counseling, medication management and treatment tutorials using our mobile app. 

Depression is treatable, and getting help from a professional can make it easier for you to take your first step towards recovering. 

Interested in learning more about managing depression? Our free mental health resources and content allow you to learn more about coping with depression, anxiety and other mental health topics at your own pace.