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1. Mobile Apps
As you probably know already, technology is powerful, and you can have your whole life in the palm of your hand via smartphone. One prime example of this is all of the mobile apps that make your life easier, and this extends to mental health treatment too.
For example, there are apps that are designed to help you track your behaviors, so you can change your habits, record your mood each day, improve planning, time management, and productivity, relax through meditation and guided visualization, and many others that can have a positive effect on your health and wellbeing.
Sure, there are paid apps out there that come with more advanced features, but there are also just as many free ones that get the job done. You most likely won’t need to perform an extensive search to find them either, and they tend to be readily accessible to anyone.
2. Online Support Groups
Although self-help is extremely popular and people can definitely find relief on their own, especially with the assistance of apps, sometimes people just want another human being whom they can talk and relate with about certain problems instead of isolating themselves.
Most support groups you encounter online are free and can still give you a sense of anonymity, and while the advice you receive is unlicensed, it doesn’t mean that it is without merit and can’t be helpful, especially if it’s coming from people who share your experiences. Nonetheless, simply having this social connection can be incredibly therapeutic for many people.
There is a support group for just about every type of mental health issue imaginable, so chances are you’ll find a friendly and supportive organization that provides what you’re looking for.
3. Hotlines
Telephone hotlines can be an effective way to get in immediate contact with a mental health professional, particularly for those who are in a crisis.
Typically, these hotlines are organizations that are designed to help with specific issues and are available 24/7. Some frequently-used options are:
- National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) – 1-800-950-6264
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7223
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-4673
- The National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 1-800-273-8255
Additionally, there are other free hotlines that are hosted by the U.S. government that aim to help people find affordable mental health treatment from an actual professional counselor or therapist, like Mentalhealth.gov and SAMHSA.
4. Educational Materials
One of the most effective ways to cope with mental health issues is to learn as much as you can about them and why they happen. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent resources online that are free that provide you with knowledge and advice on how you can overcome said issues. One site that is a fantastic resource for this is BetterHelp, and its advice section covers countless mental health topics, which can serve as free therapy for many.
While most individuals would benefit from finding therapy at an affordable price and working with licensed professionals, people can still learn the skills and strategies on their own through research and practicing them. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an example of this, and independence is even encouraged in the form of homework assignments and workbooks.
Conclusion
It’s hard to beat talking to a real counselor or therapist, but if money’s tight or you’re more interested in a self-help approach to mental health treatment, these three suggestions will hopefully help you achieve your goals. By using technology to your advantage, you can find significant relief without spending a cent, and these are some of the most popular ways to do that.
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