Seeking treatment for a mental health issue can be daunting or scary, leading many people to delay treatment or avoid it entirely. Don’t let this happen to you or your loved one. As with physical health, earlier intervention for mental health concerns can lead to better overall outcomes. This page outlines some basic steps that can be taken to address mental health problems.
Click the drop-down menus below for more information.
If You or a Loved One is in Crisis
Call 911 IMMEDIATELY in any situation where someone is an immediate danger to themselves or others.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 / 1-800-273-TALK
If you’re thinking about suicide or you’re worried about a friend or loved one, this network is available 24/7 and will connect you with a trained crisis worker who will listen, provide support and share resources that may be helpful.
Therapeutic Alternatives 1-877-626-1772
This is a local organization that provides 24/7 mobile crisis response services, providing immediate evaluation, triage, and access to emergency mental health services, treatment and support. Their services are free of charge, and their crisis teams are able to respond face to face within 2 hours of contact.
If You Know that You or a Loved One Needs Help
Find a First Point of Contact or Referral
Primary Care Doctors
Primary Care Physicians play an important role in addressing mental health problems. They can recognize symptoms as they develop, determine possible physical causes, and provide information about mental disorders and options for treatment. Often, your PCP will have working relationships with mental health professionals that they know and trust, and will be able to recommend someone that can help you.
SAMHSA National Help Line 1-800-662-4357 / 1-800-662-HELP
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Sandhills Center 1-800-256-2452
The Sandhills Center help line is available day or night to connect people with providers in central NC. The have licensed clinicians on-call who will assess your situation and help you find affordable treatment options in your area.
Learn About Treatment Options
SAMHSA – Treatments for Mental Disorders
An online resource for information about treatment courses for various mental disorders, organized by diagnosis. From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Mental Health America – Mental Health Treatments
Mental Health America’s site includes an exhaustive guide to the various components of the mental health care system and how they operate.
Find a Therapist / Get an Evaluation
Visit our Local Mental Health Resources Page
For information about local mental health service providers in Guilford County and nearby. Includes information about treatment types and specific areas of service, as well as payment options.
This is a confidential and anonymous online tool for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems. Allows users to perform a geographic search of service providers.
Sandhills NC Provider Directory
An online tool that lets you search for providers in North Carolina for mental health, substance abuse, intellectual/developmental disability services for adults and children.
Get Support
Mental Health Association in Greensboro offers a number of free support services for people in recovery from a mental health diagnosis, including recovery skills classes, support groups, and one-on-one peer support sessions with an NC certified PSS. Visit our programs page for more details.
Psychology Today – NC Support Group Page
A searchable, comprehensive list of clinician-operated support groups that are held in NC.
If You're Not Sure if Treatment is Needed
Learn About Signs of Mental Health Problems
NIMH – Mental Health Information
The National Institute of Mental Health has a vast amount of information in the Health and Information section of their website, on a variety of topics ranging from specific disorders to treatment methods and more.
NAMI – Mental Health Conditions
This page from the National Alliance on Mental Illness has an excellent breakdown of various mental disorders, their signs, and information about treatment and preventative care.
Take a Screening
This is a free and confidential online screening tool that allows to do self screen for mental health and substance use disorders. It allows you to print or email your results and gives referral information. Please note that screenings do not provide a diagnosis; they only indicate whether or not a clinical evaluation may be necessary.
Talk to Someone
Friends and Family
If you’re having trouble coping, it can be good to talk about it with someone close to you. Pick the people you trust most and can truly talk to about sensitive issues. Also, figure out ahead of time how you’d like them to support you.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 / 1-800-273-TALK
Even if you’re not thinking about suicide, the Lifeline provides listening and support to anyone who is struggling with mental or emotional distress.