When you’re administering emotional first aid, one key component of your preparation is having resources ready should a client need them. Here are some resources you may need if you’re administering emotional first aid to a client who has experienced a loss.
GEOGRAPHIC NOTE: These resources are primarily focused on serving the United States. If you’d like to contribute additional resources that primarily serve other areas, reach out to us at abbythesociologistdoula@gmail.com. Abby would love to pay you to put together a blog post specifically for your area.
Emergency resources:
- 988 Lifeline (suicide & crisis lifeline): call 988, text, or chat via website anytime for immediate support. There are videophone resources available for folks who are Deaf/HoH, and there are Spanish and English speakers available. 988 Lifeline – If you need emotional support, reach out to the national mental health hotline: 988.
- 911 or your emergency services: call anytime (or, if available in your area, text) and give the address and information of the person who is at risk. Remember that police or fire departments may respond.
- Crisis Textline: text HOME to 741741 anytime to be connected to a trained volunteer. Crisis Text Line | Text HOME to 741741 Free, 24/7 Mental Health Support
For when something isn’t an emergency, but someone needs more help:
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: serves pregnant and postpartum moms via text or call anytime. While volunteers speak English and Spanish, they also have translators available for 60 additional languages. National Maternal Mental Health Hotline | MCHB
- Postpartum Support International Warmline: a perinatal-focused warmline that provides services in both English and Spanish. I appreciate that their volunteers are also trained to talk to bereaved families particularly. PSI HelpLine (English & Spanish) | Postpartum Support International (PSI)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline: a resource line available Monday through Friday via call, text, or email to help find mental health resources. They also have a line specifically dedicated to teens and young adults helping their peers. NAMI HelpLine | NAMI
