Free Nonprofit Mental Health Services

These support services offer a safe place to talk, learn, & connect with others. They can be a valuable part of your mental health toolkit, helping you navigate everyday challenges, build coping skills, & support your recovery journey. BUT they are not a substitute for professional care. Seek medical support if symptoms last 4+ weeks, daily life feels harder to manage, you feel disconnected or overwhelmed, or you’re unable to care for yourself. Get immediate help if there are thoughts of self-harm or suicide, threats to harm others, or hallucinations or delusions.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Classes

NAMI classes provide free, peer-led education on mental health conditions, treatment options, & recovery, while also teaching coping skills, communication strategies, & how to navigate the healthcare system & support loved ones.

Class Descriptions

• NAMI Basics on Demand is a self-paced class for those who have children under the age of 21 with mental health conditions
• NAMI Family-to-Family is a class for loved ones of those with mental health conditions who are over 18
• NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a class for those who have mental health conditions or signs of a mental health condition.
• NAMI Homefront is for family & friends of military service members & vets with mental health conditions

Go Here and click Programs & Services, then select Programs. Choose your desired class, scroll down, & click “Find the _ class nearest to you.” Virtual options are available & open to participants from any location.

NAMI Support Groups

NAMI Connections

NAMI Connection is a free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental health conditions. It offers a safe, confidential space to share experiences, gain insight, & connect with others on a similar journey toward recovery.

NAMI Family Support Group

NAMI Support Groups are free, peer-led groups for friends & family members of individuals with mental health conditions. They provide a safe, confidential space to share experiences, gain support, & learn from others facing similar challenges.

Anxiety & Depression Association of America Support Groups

ADAA support groups are free, anonymous online communities where individuals, families, & caregivers can connect, share experiences, learn coping strategies, & access trusted mental health resources in a safe, supportive environment.

Support Groups Offered

• Anxiety & Depression Support Community
• Apoyo para Ansiedad y Depresión
• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Support Community
• PTSD Support Community

Advocates: Virtual Peer Support Groups

Advocates virtual support groups are free, peer-led Zoom groups that offer a safe, confidential space to connect, share experiences, & build support. Open to anyone 18+, they are non-clinical, welcoming, & focused on personal growth & community.

Support Groups Offered

• General Support & Resource Navigation
• Peer Support Groups
• Alternative & Holistic Support
• Medication & Recovery Support
• Specialized Groups

Buddy Help

BuddyHelp offers free, anonymous, chat-based emotional support by connecting users with trained volunteer listeners. It’s best for mild mental distress & emotional imbalance, providing a safe, judgment-free space to talk & feel heard.

Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA) connects individuals to a nationwide network of local affiliates that provide mental health education, resources, and community-based support. Many of these affiliates offer in-person and virtual support groups, giving individuals and families a chance to share experiences, reduce isolation, and build support in a way that fits their needs.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) offers free, peer-led support groups and resources for individuals living with depression or bipolar disorder, fostering connection, coping, and recovery.

Support Groups Offered

• Faith-Based Groups
• Occupational Groups
• Co-Occurring Disorders
• Culturally Specific groups
• Young Adults
• Age-Specific Groups
• Family & Friends
• LGBTQ+ Community
• Veterans

Hey Peers

HeyPeers is an online platform with a sortable database of peer-led support groups across various mental health topics, making it easy to find and join communities that fit your needs.

Teen Lifeline

Teen Lifeline’s Crisis Peer Hotline is a free, confidential, and anonymous support line designed specifically for teens. It connects young people with trained teen peer counselors who understand what they’re going through, offering a safe space to talk, text, and feel heard during difficult moments. The hotline is available 24/7, with peer support via call or text during set hours each day.

Disclaimer: The resources listed are provided for informational purposes only. They have not been evaluated or endorsed as medical treatment, and we do not operate, oversee, or guarantee the services offered. Individuals should use their own judgment when engaging with these resources. These services are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.