Mental Health Resources
A personally curated list of resources — places to reach out, books worth reading, and tools that actually hold up. Not exhaustive; just what I'd actually recommend.
If you're in crisis: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. These resources are for general support — they are not a substitute for crisis care.
Crisis Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988. Free, confidential, 24/7. Veterans press 1; Spanish speakers press 2.
988lifeline.orgSAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357). 24/7 information and treatment referral for mental health and substance use.
samhsa.govMobile Crisis Team (MCT)
(513) 584-5098. Cincinnati-area mobile response for mental health crises — an alternative to calling 911 when the situation calls for clinical support rather than law enforcement.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. 24/7 crisis support for people experiencing domestic violence.
thehotline.orgLGBTQIA+ Support
The Trevor Project
Crisis services and broader community resources for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.
thetrevorproject.orgTrans Lifeline
Peer support, microgrants, and resources for trans and gender-diverse people.
translifeline.orgPFLAG Cincinnati
Support and education for LGBTQ+ people and their families. Local chapter of the national PFLAG network.
pflag.orgWPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health)
Clinical standards of care and a provider directory for gender-affirming care.
wpath.orgTransform Cincinnati
A Cincinnati-based organization offering community connection, advocacy, and resources for transgender and gender-diverse individuals in the region.
transformcincinnati.orgTrauma Resources
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
1-800-656-HOPE (4673). 24/7 hotline and online chat for survivors of sexual violence.
rainn.orgNational Center for PTSD — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Research-grounded information, self-help tools, and the PTSD Coach app.
ptsd.va.govADHD & Neurodivergence
ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association)
Adult-focused resources, virtual support groups, and a provider directory.
add.orgCHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD)
Research-based information and a national chapter network.
chadd.orgASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network)
By and for autistic adults — policy, resources, and community grounded in the disability rights framework.
autisticadvocacy.orgMental Health Apps
Paced Breathing
A simple, visual breathing guide that paces your inhale and exhale to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. Useful for anxiety, stress, or winding down before sleep.
Daylio
A mood and activity tracking app that lets you log your day in seconds without writing. Useful for identifying patterns — what affects your mood, your sleep, your energy.
Calm & Headspace
Well-known meditation apps; both offer free content alongside paid subscriptions.
Tiimo
A visual daily planning app designed for people with ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent profiles. Turns your schedule into a clear, visual format with timers and reminders.
Breathe+
A guided breathing app with visual animations for different techniques — box breathing, 4-7-8, and more. Simple and effective for calming the nervous system.
Gottman Card Decks
An app from the Gottman Institute with conversation cards for couples — questions designed to deepen understanding, connection, and communication.
Apps are a useful adjunct to therapy, not a replacement. If an app is making you feel worse — more anxious, more obsessive, more checked-out — pay attention to that signal.
Books Worth Reading
Man's Search for Meaning — Viktor E. Frankl
A psychiatrist's account of survival in Nazi concentration camps and the theory of meaning-making that emerged from it. One of the most widely read books in psychology, and for good reason.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace — Nedra Tawwab
Practical, accessible, and grounded. Better than most boundary-setting content because it engages with why boundaries are hard, not just what to do.
Unmasking Autism — Devon Price
A compassionate exploration of autism masking — the exhausting work of performing neurotypicality — and what it costs. Useful whether you're diagnosed, questioning, or supporting someone who is.
The Wretched of the Earth — Frantz Fanon
A foundational text on colonialism, race, and the psychology of oppression. Difficult and necessary. Shapes how I think about the political dimensions of mental health.
On Becoming a Person — Carl Rogers
The core text of humanistic psychology. Rogers writes about what it means to truly listen, to be present in a therapeutic relationship, and to trust in people's capacity for growth.
Trans Bodies, Trans Selves — edited by Laura Erickson-Schroth
A comprehensive, community-authored resource covering health, identity, relationships, and more for transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
Every link here represents an outside organization with its own policies and limits. If you have feedback about a resource that isn't serving you, I'd genuinely like to hear it.