These Are The Days

I am thankful for the good days because they renew me, and for the bad days because they shape me. The contrast of the two mold together in such a fighting way, but they each serve their purpose. Each provide a narrow glimpse into the future, a salute to the past, and a lesson for the present. Some days I can't feel the sun on my face, and other days it blinds me; in between there is a warmth of knowledge, a sort of truce, a forgiveness. I am thankful for life, and all the beauty, love and laughter that it lends to me. Life carries a lot of pain and grief as well, a seemingly undue suffering, and it is impossible to understand exactly why, or if and how the pain could be avoided. I can't pretend to know or justify the answer to why horrible things happen in this life, so I have to cling to the good things I do know and trust that everything is as it should be. And maybe therein lies the meaning of life: to cherish things TODAY, to live TODAY, because today, this very moment, is all we ever really have. It is a small gift with a huge responsibility, to live in a world so vast and chaotic, to lose and to win, to be blessed and to be cursed, to love and to hate, to remember and to forget, to gather stones and to scatter them, to be born and to die. The beginning and end are too bewildering to wrap our heads around. So do your work in the middle. Love those close to you. Build instead of break. And whether you believe in an after life or a return to dust, make every minute you're here count for something noble and gracious. Never stop being thankful for what you have. Never stop caring for mankind. Never live a life that will be forgotten when you are gone. Whatever comes tomorrow, you are here now.

New Therapist...Again

I went today to what I thought was going to be my next therapy session with the therapist I had met once before, but they had discharged me from their services since I had not been there in 3 months (which was because I was waiting for my regular therapist to come back from maternity leave; when I learned that she wasn't coming back I made an appointment with the other one). Anyhoo, today's appointment consisted of updating my file, basically like a whole new intake session, and meeting the other therapist that will be my new one. The lady is new and seems just as quiet and awkward as I am, so that could be a good thing or a bad thing...we shall see. I felt rather off in there and had to ask for some hand sanitizer after signing a few documents with their pen. Then, at the end of the session, the lady that is to be my new therapist reached over to shake my hand and I had to cringe through that and didn't want to use the hand sanitizer in front of her afterwards because I didn't want to be rude...so as soon as I got out of there I had to go wash my hands really well! Other than that, I managed fairly well in the room with two other human beings and I guess I am up for the challenge of YET ANOTHER THERAPIST (this makes number 6 in the past 7 years). Ah, the wonderful world of psychiatry and recovery. If you can survive the madness of the system, you can survive anything.

After my appointment, we went to see our cousin's new baby at the hospital (she's precious!) and then went to eat at Popeye's. I am proud of the fact that I made it all the way up until a group of men sat down at the table beside us before I had to take an anxiety pill. For me, all that social activity in one day and it taking that long for it to finally drive me to the prescription bottle is a nice little accomplishment!  It is my hope that returning to regular counseling will help me eventually get back to the point of being able to drive again and participate in social activities without debilitating panic attacks. As frustrating as the constant ups and downs of bipolar disorder are, I have to say that what holds me back the most now is my social anxiety. I would like to be able to join the living world and not be afraid of my own species. I have confidence that I can at least reach a ground of tolerance to the public (as I had before where I was able to drive and work and go to the store by myself-it was never easy, but at least it was doable). I just hope I can get back to that level of coping soon. For my children more than anything. I am tired of missing my girls' social activities and I don't want to put my son through the same.

Hamsters on the Wheel

My bouts of hypomania and mania only last long enough for me to get well over my head in a project so that when I crash down, it seems like everything crashes down with me. This time it was a huge purging of the house to get it more organized, especially the closet. Now I have clothes and other random items strewn about like a yard sale in a tornado. I've rearranged furniture that probably should not have been rearranged, and all I can think is, what a a big FAIL this was. My nerves are shot, had to take an anxiety pill earlier and go to bed. Now I'm awake and want to get more housework done, but I just can't find the physical energy or brain power to do anything. My hands are cracked and dry from washing them so much (my OCD kicks into overdrive during mania), and I just want to cry. You know that feeling where you want to cry but you just feel too bad to? So much negative emotion and no way to let it out. So this is why I am writing this. Not to bitch or complain, but to just release it out into the open and-hopefully!-make someone realize that they are not the only one who goes through this type of thing over and over-and over and over-again. It's an endless cycle, and life can feel so pointless at times. But I trust that it's not, for you or for me. We can still do great things; it just may take us longer to do it. We can still inspire others and do good to everyone we come into contact with, and hold those dear to us close and never let go. Sometimes not letting go just means surviving, but other times it means relishing the good times as they come and knowing that, beyond anything, not to take a moment of it for granted. I refuse to let my illness define who I am or what I'm capable of. I refuse to use it as an excuse not to try, to succumb to hopelessness or laziness, or to give up completely. That being said, I realize sometimes I have to rest and catch my breath so that I can be more charged for the work ahead. There is no shame in having to set boundaries as to what you are willing and able to do when you are experiencing an episode of depression or mania, or are recovering from a severe bout of either one. It may feel like we are merely hamsters on the wheel, exasperating our energies on meaningless tasks and getting no where in the process, but I assure you that's not the case. We can't always see or feel our progress. But every step we take-whether it gets us to our destination or not-is progress. Survival is progress. Hope is progress. Forgiving yourself for past mistakes and trying to better yourself from the person you were is progress. It's an ongoing battle, but it's a worthy battle, and you will earn your medals along the way. Just never, ever give up hope. I'm certainly trying not to.

What I Am Thankful For

 While I doubt I will ever be thankful for having a mental illness, I am thankful for the strength I have found in myself when I felt so unbearably powerless to its symptoms, and for the hope of brighter days when my world is at its darkest. I view my life in two eras: before my big psychotic break, and after. The in-between feels like a vague nightmare. I remember, for the most part, what happened-the actions, the words, the emotions-but I can find no way to fully comprehend it being me that whole time. It was as if I was staring down at some other woman doing this and saying that, as if I had no connection to her or anyone else in my life at that time. I have since struggled mercilessly through the grief of what I lost as a result of that time period, as well as with anger, both at myself (how could I act like that?) and at others (why could no one help me?). I will always live with the repercussions of an illness uncontrolled, despite my present stability. I fear that it will happen again, that rueful onslaught of disillusion, and I fear hurting those dear to me all over again. Unpredictability marks the days, months, and years.

People who have never experienced mental illness can't even begin to truly understand it, and what cannot be understood is often the catalyst for mockery and judgment. If cancer attacks the body and slowly picks apart the health of a once agile person, it is viewed as a terribly unfair tragedy; what's done is done and it could not be any other way. But when it is a person's mind that is under attack, there is always a sense of blame attached to it. As a pastor's wife at the time when my illness took its greatest toil, I felt like everyone was judging me from a spiritual standpoint. I had been a devout Christian my entire life; what's more, I loved my husband and two young daughters, and I had the close-to-perfect life that everyone dreams of having. Certainly, I had wrestled with depression off and on since I was a preteen, and I had a frightening episode at age sixteen that lasted nearly three months and was often filled with hallucinations and delusions that I kept to myself. Overall, I had been good at hiding my internal wars, but in my mid-twenties I reached a breaking point, and it was a very public experience. In front of my church, my friends, and my family I quickly unraveled into a person unrecognizable to who I had been before.

After recovery began to solidify years later (thanks to extensive therapy and finding the right cocktail of medication for my particular brain chemistry) I was able to take a serious look at  the damage I caused through my irrationality and severe highs and lows. Very few know what all took place, but suffice it to say I made very foolish choices during that phase of my illness-all in the name of good intentions, mind you (sadly delusional intentions)-and there is no repair for the lines I severed.

So, while I hate mental illness and the destruction it can cause in a person's life, I am thankful that I am in the position to help others and provide encouragement to those facing the same challenges. I used to avoid telling my story to others-after all, it opens my life up to a lot of judgment and ridicule-but now I am brave enough to say, yes, I have bipolar disorder, and yes, it has cost me a great deal in life, but it has also taught me more than any other trial in my life has. I have learned that I am not defined by my illness. I'm not a crazy. I'm still the same ol' me, despite my illness, and I never intend on forgetting that. I suffer with rapid cycling emotions, intense anxiety, poor concentration, and a slew of other symptoms that occasionally reach a debilitating level. For the most part, however, I remain stable. I am so grateful for an understanding partner and remarkable children that bear with me during the hard times. They have seen me at my best and my worst, and still they love me. There is no greater blessing than the support system I have, and I am thankful every day for them.

Treatment and Recovery Part 7: Feeling Well, Staying Well

Once you are feeling better, make plans using the ideas from part 6 of this series that will help you keep yourself well. Include simple lists:

• to remind yourself of things you need to do every day, like doing thirty minutes of exercise and eating three healthy meals;
• to remind yourself of those things that you may not need to do every day, but if you miss them they will cause stress in your life, like bathing, buying food, paying bills, or cleaning your home;
• of events or situations that may make you feel worse if they come up, like a fight with a loved one, receiving a big bill, or loss of your job. Then list things to do (relax, talk to a friend, practice a hobby, etc.) if these things happen so you won't find yourself resorting to unhealthy ways of coping, like drinking or self-harm.
• of early warning signs that indicate you are getting worse, like always feeling tired, sleeping too much or too little, overeating, dropping things and losing things more than usual, hearing voices, etc. Then list things to do (get more rest, take some time off from work, arrange an appointment with your health care provider, cut back on caffeine, etc.) to help yourself remain as stable as possible;
• of signs that things are getting much worse, such as feeling very depressed, not being able to get out of bed in the morning, or feeling negative about everything. Then list things to do that will help you feel better quickly (get someone to stay with you, spend extra time doing things you enjoy, contact your doctor, etc.);
• of information that can be used by others if you become unable to take care of yourself or keep yourself safe, such as signs that indicate you need their help, who you want to help you (give copies of this list to each of these people), the names of your doctor or other mental health professional and pharmacist, all prescriptions and over-the-counter medications being used, things that others can do to help you feel better or keep you safe, and things you do not want others to do or that might make your condition deteriorate any further. 

This marks the conclusion of the Treatment and Recovery series. I hope you have found some ideas that will help guide you in your own wellness plan. Don't attempt to do everything listed in this series all at once. One change at a time is the way to do it for long lasting improvement. You can incorporate these ideas into your life gradually, and as you do, I'm confident that you will begin to feel better and better.

Best wishes in your treatment and recovery!

-Amy Purdy


Resources:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
"Recovering Your Mental Health"
www.samhsa.org

Guest Blogger William Hughes: 4 Ways To Reduce Stress And Anxiety By Exercising Your Mind

The world we live in is nothing like it was hundreds of years ago. Everything moves at such a fast pace now and you have to keep up or you're left behind. People are constantly under pressure and it really shows. Do you come home from work feeling exhausted because you've been trying to live up to expectations at work? Some people are superhuman and can take anything thrown at them. Others are not so lucky and their mind starts to suffer. It's not a coincidence there is more people suffering from mental illness than ever before.


Some people, the superhuman ones, think it's a weakness and anyone not in control of their own mind is not trying hard enough. But we know that's not the case. Stress and anxiety can sometimes be out of our control and can turn into a serious problem if we let it. Luckily there's ways to combat this before anything too bad happens. You need to exercise your mind as well as your body. If you are under any unnecessary stress or ever feel anxious then follow these steps to get it under control.

Start meditating every night
 
For someone who has never meditated before you are in for a treat. It might take you a few weeks to get good at it, but as soon as you are in a trance and the annoying voices stop popping up in your head it will feel like something you have never experienced in your life. The stress and anxiety will leave your body for that magical 5-20 minutes, then as soon as you stop meditating it will feel like all the troubles have lifted from your mind. You just need to keep meditating every day and it will eventually change to your default state of mind.
 
Go running in the morning
 
When you get up you should try to go for a little run in the morning. You are probably thinking it's too hard and at first it is, but as soon as you get over the laziness it will turn into something special. There's something people like to call the 'runners high' which means the happiness endorphins are buzzing around your body. When it happens you feel like a million bucks and nothing bad can happen to your mind. After your run you will still feel great. It definitely sets you up to have a fantastic day. It's worth the effort of getting out of your bed 20 minutes early.
 
Try hypnotizing yourself
 
Hypnotism is strange to some people. Maybe they've seen a show when they were on vacation and got the completely wrong impression. When you're under hypnosis it's the same feeling as being in a meditative trance, only what you do when in the trance is different. Instead of concentrating on a thought you speak to your subconscious and give it instructions. Try booking yourself in for a session with a hypnotist and feeling what it's like. Once you understand the power it can have over your stress you can attempt to learn it by yourself.
 
Start a new hobby
 
 Sometimes the problem we have is the lack of a hobby. When you come home from a hard day at work you're not doing yourself any favors by sitting down to watch TV then going to bed. It means your whole life revolves around work and you are just passing the time until you go to work tomorrow. If you have a hobby you are interested in it gives your mind a break at night. You can throw your mind behind something you love and you forget about everything else. Everyone needs a passion in their life and when you do it will improve your stress and anxiety levels.


This article is contributed by hypnosis expert, William Hughes who also authors a stress relief blog. He recommends readers to visit Krown Hypnosis, a healing center to recover and cleanse your body to be healthy and energetic.

Treatment and Recovery Part 6: Additional Things You Can Do Right Away to Help Yourself Feel Better

 There are many simple, safe, inexpensive things you can do to help yourself feel better. The most common ones are listed below. You may think of other things you have done to feel better in the past or things you would like to try.

• Tell a good friend or family member how you feel. Talking with someone else who has had similar experiences is very helpful because they can best understand how you feel. First ask them if they have some time to listen to you. Ask them not to interrupt with any advice, criticism, or judgments. Tell them that after you get done talking you would like to discuss what to do about the situation, but that first you need to talk with no interruptions so you can get it all off your chest. 
• If you have a mental health provider you feel comfortable with, tell him or her how you are feeling and ask for advice and support. If you don't have a health care provider and would like to see someone professionally, contact your local mental health agency, or ask for a referral from your primary physician. Sliding-scale fees and free services are often available. 
• Spend time with people you enjoy, who make you feel good about yourself. Avoid those who are not supportive. Do not allow yourself to be hurt physically or emotionally in any way. If you are being physically, emotionally, or sexually abused, ask your health care provider or a crisis counselor to help you figure out the safest way to remove yourself from this harmful situation. Until you are in a better environment, your mental health will continue to worsen.
• Ask a family member or friend to take over some or all of the things you need to do for several days, like taking care of children, household chores, and work-related tasks. Their help will give you time to rest and focus on getting well. It may be hard for you to ask for favors like these, but try to understand that others are often glad to do something for you if they know it is going to help.
• Learn about what you are experiencing. This will allow you to make good decisions about all parts of your life, like treatment, living arrangements, financial obligations, and relationships. To do this, read pamphlets about your condition (they can often be found at your doctor's office or other health care facility), books, magazine articles, and reliable internet sources. In addition, try finding a support group for those with similar issues. Most mental health facilities have such groups, and you may also find online groups and message boards to interact with.
• Exercise! Any movement, even slow movements, will help you feel better. Climb the stairs, take a walk, sweep the floor, stretch-whatever gets the blood flowing in your body. Don't over exert yourself, though.
• If possible, spend at least thirty minutes outdoors every day, even if it is cloudy. Let as much light into your home and work place as possible. Your body needs a healthy dose of Vitamin D, and it will significantly help improve the symptoms of depression, much like exercise will. 
• Eat healthy food. Limit your use of sugar, caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, soda), alcohol, and high-sodium foods. If you don't feel like cooking, ask a loved one to cook for you, order take out, or have a healthy frozen dinner. 
• Do something every day that you really enjoy, something that makes you feel good. This could be working in your garden, watching a funny movie, playing with your pet, reading a good book, painting, needlework, carpentry, playing music, or any number of things that you normally find joy in doing.  It may even be a simple activity, like watching the moon rise, smelling flowers, or walking barefoot in the grass. Make a list of all the things you enjoy doing and keep adding to it as you think of new things. Refer to the list when you are feeling so badly that you can't remember the things you enjoy. Even if you don't feel like doing it, pick one and do it anyway. It may lift your spirits.
• Relax! Sit down in a comfortable chair, loosen any tight clothing, and take several deep breaths. Starting with your toes, focus your attention on each part of your body; tighten, then relax. When you have relaxed your whole body, notice how you feel. Then, focus your attention for a few minutes on a favorite scene, like a warm day in spring, or a walk by the ocean, before returning to your other activities. 

If you are having trouble sleeping, try some of the following suggestions:

• Listen to soothing music after you lie down.
• Eat foods high in calcium, like dairy products and leafy green vegetables, or take a calcium supplement.
• Avoid alcohol-it will help you fall asleep, but may cause you to awaken early. 
• Avoid sleeping late in the morning and taking long naps during the day. Try to keep a regular schedule of bedtime and wake time.
• Before going to bed:
• avoid heavy meals, strenuous activity, caffeine, and nicotine.
• read a calming book.
• take a warm bath.
• drink a glass of warm milk, eat some turkey, and/or drink a cup of chamomile tea.

Keep your life as simple as possible. If it doesn't really need to be done, don't do it. Learn that it is okay to say "no" if you can't or don't want to do something, but don't avoid responsibilities like taking good care of yourself and your children. Get help with these responsibilities if you need it.

Work on changing your negative thoughts to positive ones. Everyone has negative thoughts that they have learned, usually when they were young. When you are feeling badly, these negative thoughts can make you feel worse. For instance, if you find yourself thinking "I will never feel better", try saying "I may feel bad now, but this will pass and I will feel better soon." Here are a few other examples of turning negative thoughts into positive ones:

Negative Thoughts	Positive Responses
No one likes me.	Many people like me.
I am worthless.	I am valuable.
I can’t do anything right.	I do many things right.
I have no reason to keep living.	I may not feel like it now, but I am important and deserve to live. I am needed here.

Every time you have a negative thought, consciously replace it with a positive one. Repeat those positive responses over and over until you believe it!

Treatment and Recovery Part 5: Using Medications

In the course of your treatment for mental illness, your physician may suggest one or more medications to help you feel better. Using these medications should be your decision, but in order to make an educated choice, you will first need answers to some very important questions. To answer those inquiries, you may ask your doctor or pharmacist, or search a reliable information source on the internet. Double check with your health care provider before making a final decision. Here are a few of the most vital questions to ask:

• What are the common name, product name, product category, and suggested level of this medicine?
• What does the physician expect the medication to do for you? How long will it take to become effective? How well has this medication worked for other patients?
• What are the possible long- and short-term side effects of taking this medicine? Are there ways of reducing the risk of experiencing these negative effects?
• What, if any, restrictions (like driving or avoiding certain foods) need to be considered when using this drug?
• What tests (such as routine blood tests for toxicity, etc.) will be needed beforehand and while taking this medication?
• How will it be determined whether a dose should be changed or the medication discontinued?
• How much does it cost? Are there any programs that will help cover some or all of the expense of this medication? Is there a less expensive drug that can be used instead, or can a generic form be substituted for the suggested brand name?
• Are there any medications or supplements that should not be taken while on this prescription drug? What about over-the-counter medications?

If your symptoms are so bad that you are having trouble understanding this information, ask a family member or friend to learn about the medication and to help you decide whether it is the right course of treatment for you.

In deciding whether to take a medication or consent to another type of treatment, ask yourself whether the benefits of the treatment outweigh the risks. You may decide to try the treatment for a trial period and then re-evaluate your health before proceeding. Do not quit taking medication without consent of your doctor! Many psychiatric drugs will have dangerous withdrawal effects on your mental and physical health if not weaned from the system properly.

If you decide to use one or more medications, you must manage them very carefully in order to achieve the best possible results and to avoid serious problems. To do this:

• use the medication exactly as the doctor and pharmacist have suggested.
• report any side effects to your doctor, and keep notes for yourself about what you experience, when you experience it, and what the doctor's response is.
• ask your doctor what to do if you skip a dose. Do not double the next dose unless the doctor tells you to! 
• avoid the use of alcohol or illegal drugs. (If you are addicted to them, ask your doctor for help.)
• pay close attention to lifestyle issues that cannot be corrected by medications, such as stress, chaos, poor diet (including excessive use of sugar, salt, caffeine, and smoking), lack of exercise, inadequate exposure to sunlight, and sleep deprivation. If any of these are a problem for you, you will need to address it in order to reach your full potential of wellness. Don't try to make too many changes all at once-take it one step at a time.  

Since mental illness is most often the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, medications to help restore balance are relatively essential to many cases. This is not to say that you cannot achieve wellness without drugs, but it is definitely an avenue you must consider and discuss in depth with your doctor. Try to avoid doctors that barely listen to your symptoms before they absentmindedly write out a handful of prescriptions. A good doctor will listen carefully to you, examine you for any underlying cause of symptoms apart from mental illness, and will thoroughly explain the medications he or she wishes to try. Doctors are often hard pressed for time on their frantic schedule of patient after patient over the course of their day, but if you feel rushed while trying to discuss your treatment options, request to set up an additional appointment with a longer time slot so that you can get a more substantial answer to all of your questions. Your health is of utmost importance, and you deserve to get solid answers about the drugs you put into your body.

Treatment and Recovery Part 4: Getting Health Care

If you possibly can, see a primary physician first. He or she can help you find out if the symptoms you are experiencing are caused by another medical condition, such as a thyroid problem or hormone imbalance. In addition, a primary care physician is often your best source of referral for other kinds of help, such as locating a suitable psychiatrist, therapist, or arranging for hospitalization if necessary. The sooner you get help, the sooner you will feel better.

It is usually easier to go to the doctor if you take along a close family member or good friend. This advocate can help you remember what the doctor suggests, and can take notes for you if you like.

When you go to see your health care provider, bring a complete list of all medications you are taking or have taken in the recent past, and discuss any types of self-treatment you have engaged in. Also make a note to carry with you about any unusual, uncomfortable, or painful physical or emotional symptoms you have experienced, even if the symptom does not really seem like a big deal to you-sometimes details like this can be the missing link to a proper diagnosis and adequate treatment! For more tips on how to prepare for your appointment, read Breaking Down the Communication Barrier Between Psychiatrists and Patients. Also describe any difficult issues in your life-both things that are going on now and things that have happened in the past-that may be affecting the way you feel. This will help the doctor give you the best possible advice on what you can do to help yourself.

YOUR HEALTH CARE RIGHTS

Your doctor is providing a service for you, just like the person who installs your telephone or fixes your car. The only difference is the doctor's services require experience and expertise in dealing with something far more important: your health! Your health care provider should:

• listen carefully to everything you say and answer your questions.
• be hopeful and encouraging.
• plan your treatment based on what you want and need.
• teach you how to help yourself.
• know about and be willing to try new or different ways of helping you feel better.
• be willing, with your permission, to talk with other health care professionals, your family members, and friends about your health issues and what can be done to alleviate the symptoms.

In addition to your personal rights, discussed in Part 2, your health care rights also include the right to-

• decide for yourself which treatments are acceptable to you and which are not.
• a second opinion without being penalized.
• change health care providers (this right may be limited by some health care plans)
• have the person(s) of your choice with you when you are seeing your doctor. 

Treatment and Recovery Part 3: What To Do If Your Symptoms Are Severe

If your symptoms are so severe that you feel hopeless and worthless all the time, or your feelings and experiences feel so overwhelming that you cannot function in daily living, or if any of the following apply to you, take steps right away to help yourself.

• You feel like life is not worth living anymore.
• You think a lot about dying, have thoughts of suicide, or have planned how to kill yourself.
• You are taking risks that are endangering your life and/or the lives of others.
• You feel like hurting yourself, hurting others, destroying property, or committing a crime.

THINGS YOU NEED TO DO RIGHT AWAY:

• Arrange an appointment with your doctor or other healthcare provider, or with a mental health agency. If your symptoms make you a danger to yourself or someone else, insist on immediate care and treatment. A family member or friend may need to do this for you if your symptoms are too severe.  Make sure your healthcare provider knows about any medications you are taking or have discontinued.
•  Ask friends or family members to take turns staying with you until you feel better. Don't be ashamed to ask them for help! Then talk, play cards, watch a funny movie, listen to music-anything that keeps you from feeling worse and that may potentially provide you some relief. 
• Do some simple things that you usually enjoy, like reading (if you can focus well enough), viewing a beautiful picture, playing with your pet, painting or drawing (coloring books may seem elementary, but it is very relaxing to color), or writing in your journal. 

In a later section I will discuss more ways of coping and feeling better. As you learn what helps you to feel better, and as you take action to help yourself, you will find that you spend more time feeling well and less time feeling badly. 

Crisis Hotline Numbers

For caring and nonjudgmental support with issues such as depression, anxiety, suicide, relationship problems, domestic abuse, family stressors, financial troubles, and more:


1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-784-2433


1-800-273-TALK
1-800-273-8255


1-800-799-4TTY
1-800-799-4889
(For hearing and speech impaired)


1-800-PPD-MOMS
1-800-773-6667
(Postpartum Depression)


CrisisChat.org
(Anonymous chat room-hours vary)