Mental Health Resources Alopecia areata can have profound effects on your emotional health. Because it is unpredictable, visible, and often develops quickly, people living with alopecia areata may experience a wide range of feelings and challenges. It’s normal to feel sadness, frustration, and worry when dealing with hair loss. Talking with trusted friends, family, or a counselor can help you process those emotions and remind you that you are not alone. If you find yourself in need of mental health support, there are resources (below) in addition to NAAF’s support groups that can help. 988 Lifeline: 988 Lifeline – Call 988 or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis intervention counselor to help with mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just to have someone to talk to. Teenline: Teenline – Available 6 – 10pm (PST), Call 800-852-8336 or text TEEN to 839863. Teenline provides support, resources, and hope to young people through a hotline of professionally trained teen counselors. 211.org 211.org – Call 211 to connect to thousands of programs, services and resources in your local community, no matter where you live. Programs and services include crisis intervention providers and other mental health support services. SAMHSA’s National Helpline – (1-800-662-HELP (4357)) A confidential, 24/7, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) free helpline providing treatment referrals and information for individuals and families facing mental health and/or substance use disorders. Crisis Text Line Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need. Texts are handled by trained volunteer Crisis Counselors, who undergo 30+ hours of training in active listening, collaborative problem solving, and safety planning. Text “HELLO” (or “HOME”) to 741741. Available 24/7 across the U.S. NAMI HelpLine National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text “HelpLine” to 62640. NAMI offers peer-led support groups, family education, and advocacy resources for people living with mental illness and their loved ones. Mental Health America MentalHealth America offers free resources for dealing with a mental health crisis. Psychology Today Therapist Finder Psychology Today’s Therapist Finder tool can help you find a therapist in your area. Therapists with experience working with individuals with health conditions, including chronic diseases, health psychology, behavioral health and grief therapy may be helpful to individuals living with alopecia areata.
