Close
What Are the Mental Health Benefits of Volunteering?
Leading Mental Health Nonprofits
The following are some of the leading organizations that provide support, advocacy, and resources for mental health. They offer a vast array of services and many ways to help those who need them.
Mental Health America
Tom Merton/Getty Images
Founded in 1909,Mental Health America (MHA)is the nation’s leading community-based organization devoted to addressing the needs of people living with mental disorders as well as promoting overall mental health. This nonprofit group promotes the idea of mental health as a critical part of overall wellness and serves as an authority in mental health support, recovery, and advocacy.
MHA’s philosophy is to address and treat mental health conditions before they cause suffering. The group advocates for prevention, early identification, intervention, and other actions to help allay the development and progression of mental illness.
They also offer:
National Institute of Mental HealthHero Images / Getty ImagesThe National Institute of Mental Health(NIMH) is the leading federal agency for mental health research. NIMH is one of 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.NIMH is the largest scientific organization dedicated to research on the understanding, treatment, and prevention of mental illness. It also conducts outreach to other mental health organizations to share information about ongoing research and to obtain feedback for future initiatives.Additionally, NIMH partners with these organizations to foster public awareness of current mental health research. They also offer multimedia presentations and a free image library.NIMH provides trustworthy information about mental health disorders as well as information on a range of mental health topics and the latest mental health research.NIMH provides information about clinical trials and how to find one, whether at NIMH or across the country. They also offer free brochures, booklets, and e-books to help educate the public about mental health.
National Institute of Mental Health
Hero Images / Getty Images
The National Institute of Mental Health(NIMH) is the leading federal agency for mental health research. NIMH is one of 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
NIMH is the largest scientific organization dedicated to research on the understanding, treatment, and prevention of mental illness. It also conducts outreach to other mental health organizations to share information about ongoing research and to obtain feedback for future initiatives.
Additionally, NIMH partners with these organizations to foster public awareness of current mental health research. They also offer multimedia presentations and a free image library.
NIMH provides trustworthy information about mental health disorders as well as information on a range of mental health topics and the latest mental health research.
NIMH provides information about clinical trials and how to find one, whether at NIMH or across the country. They also offer free brochures, booklets, and e-books to help educate the public about mental health.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Alliance on Mental Illness.NAMI
NAMI
NAMI comprises hundreds of state organizations, local affiliates, and volunteers. They provide education, events, and resources as they work to raise awareness and offer support to all who need it.
NAMI also strives to raise awareness and eradicate the persistent stigma surrounding mental health through education, advocacy, public dialog, and leadership.
NAMI’s toll-free helplineoffers free referrals, information, and support, andNAMI’s websitefeatures discussion groups and message boards.
Through their advocacy work, NAMI helps shape national public policy for people with mental illness and their families. Their efforts have resulted in funding for research, protected access to care, and equal treatment of mental and physical illness in most insurance plans.
NAMI participates in many monthly and yearly mental health awareness events, including Mental Illness Awareness Week, Awareness Messaging Campaigns for social media, NAMIWalks, and many more.
To get involved with NAMI:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The AFSP has chapters in all 50 states with its core strategies including providing educational programs for professionals, educating the public aboutmood disordersand suicide prevention, funding scientific research, offering programs and resources for survivors of suicide loss as well as people at risk, and advocating for policies and legislation that impact suicide and prevention.
The AFSP acknowledges that too many people at risk for suicide do not seek help. Thus, the organization has created educational programs to reach those who are suffering as well as teach schools, workplaces, and communities how to help prevent suicide and make mental health a priority.
AFSP has also created the Interactive Screening Program offered through mental health agencies at institutions of higher education, law enforcement agencies, workplaces, and employee assistance programs.
The interactive screening program website offers a safe, confidential place to take a brief screening forstress,depression, and other mental health conditions and then receive a personalized response from a mental health counselor. The site allows people to communicate anonymously with the mental health counselor and receive recommendations, feedback, and support for obtaining available mental health services.
Much of what we know about suicide has come from AFSP-funded research.
Differences in Suicide Among Men and Women
Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Instituteis an independent, national nonprofit devoted to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. Lack of awareness and the stigma associated with mental illness prevents the treatment of many children and teens. The Child Mind Institute, however, strives to improve the futures of this population through three commitments:
This organization is an invaluable resource for parents, providing expert guidance on a variety of parental concerns and resources to help parents find the best care for their children. The website also has a symptom checker tool.
The Child Mind Institute offers classroom strategies and guides to help educators respond to children showing signs of mental health orlearning disorders. Clinical experts are available for media and speaking engagements, and the organization hosts a visiting professor lecture series.
In addition to free online resources and an “Ask an Expert” page, the Institute creates high-impact awareness campaigns, such as Speak Up for Kids. This is the Child Mind Institute’s annual public education campaign promoting awareness of children’s mental health issues and providing needed information to families, educators, the media, and policymakers.
Policy & ResearchMany other organizations also work toward improving legislative policies, promoting research, fostering awareness, and expanding access to care. A partial list includes:Treatment Advocacy Center—A national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers to timely, effective treatment. This organization helps promote laws, policies, and practices for the delivery of care and supports innovation and research.National Council for Behavioral Health—Advocates for policies that help guarantee access to comprehensive, high-quality, evidence-based mental health and substance abuse services. Thousands of member organizations offer mental health andaddiction treatmentand encourage members to help protect behavioral health care through advocacy. The website offers a free Find a Provider service.National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR)—Works to keep people who are recovering or have recovered from mental illness in major state and national roles in the development and execution of mental health and social policies. NCMHR emphasizes the need for mental healthcare providers to treat patients with dignity and to respect their rights and choices regarding recovery and treatment.Brain and Behavior Research Foundation—Awards grants to innovators in neuroscience and psychiatry. Outside of the federal government, no other organization has been responsible for more breakthroughs in the mental health field or funded more mental health research grants than BBRF.Anxiety and Depression Association of America(ADAA) is a nonprofit organization committed to preventing and treatinganxiety,depressive,obsessive-compulsive, and trauma-related disorders. The ADAA advocates for evidence-based treatment, offers education about these disorders, helps people find therapists, and provides continuing education and training.The Trevor Projectprovidescrisis intervention and suicide prevention servicesto lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth via phone, Web, and text. The group also offers free online learning modules, curriculum, and resources to teachers and adults who work with LGBTQ youth.Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)—A peer-directed national organization focusing on supporting people with depression andbipolar disorderthrough its website, local and online support groups, andpodcastsandvideos. They also offer information on becoming a peer provider and mental health advocate.Active Minds—Empowers students to speak candidly about mental health to educate others and encourage people to seek help. Student-run college chapters promote and offer training in mental health awareness, advocacy, and education, and serve as a liaison between students and the mental health community. Campus events and national programs are geared toward opening conversations about mental health issues.How to Find a Therapist
Policy & Research
Many other organizations also work toward improving legislative policies, promoting research, fostering awareness, and expanding access to care. A partial list includes:
How to Find a Therapist
A Word From VerywellActivism and volunteerism can be a gratifying, healing way for people who have dealt with mental health disorders to share their knowledge and experience with others. This is just a partial list of the leadingmental healthorganizations in the U.S. Choose from these and the many other mental health organizations to find one that fits your goals, experience, and comfort level.
A Word From Verywell
Activism and volunteerism can be a gratifying, healing way for people who have dealt with mental health disorders to share their knowledge and experience with others. This is just a partial list of the leadingmental healthorganizations in the U.S. Choose from these and the many other mental health organizations to find one that fits your goals, experience, and comfort level.
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
