HOW TO GET HELP

In observance of May as Mental Health Month, The Oklahoman will be running this list of resources. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five U.S. adults will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime — and impact their friends and loved ones, as well.

Help in a crisis

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. The number is 800-273-8255. The free and confidential Lifeline is available for everyone.

When you call the Lifeline, a skilled, trained crisis worker who works at the Lifeline network crisis center closest to you will answer the phone. This person will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful. Veterans and their loved ones can call 800273-8255 and press 1. They will then be directed to a specialized support line.

If you are hard of hearing, you can chat with a Lifeline counselor 24/7 by going to suicidepreventionlifeline.org and clicking the “Chat” button at the top of the page, or you can contact the Lifeline via TTY by dialing 800-799-4889.

For the Spanish-language Lifeline, Nacional de Prevencion del Suicidio, call 888-628-9454.

Support groups, local resources

Residents can attend a variety of support groups throughout the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. Some rural areas also have support groups.

Mental Health Association

hosts a free depression support group on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:15 p.m. The group is held at 400 N Walker Ave., Suite 190 in Oklahoma City. You can learn more at www.mhaok.org/depression.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Oklahoma has several support groups throughout the Oklahoma City metro area. They also have groups in smaller cities, including Altus, Shawnee and Tahlequah. For a schedule of their support groups, go to www.okdbsa.org.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Oklahoma affiliate has several support groups for family members of loved ones with mental illnesses and for people with mental illnesses. You can find a list of those groups here: namioklahoma.org/ support-groups.

Additionally, the Oklahoma Citizen Advocates for Recovery and Transformation Association offers a range of support groups for people with substance use disorders and mental illnesses. To learn more about the group, go to ocarta.org.

There are also a number of 12-step recovery groups that meet throughout Oklahoma. You can find more about Alcoholics Anonymous at www.aa.org.

Numbers to call

Any Oklahoman can call 211 and be connected with a trained support specialist who can help them find resources in their local community, including how to get mental health treatment.

HeartLine, which oversees 211 for part of Oklahoma, has its database of resources available at: www.referweb.net/hlok. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is a state-run agency that oversees the care of thousands of residents each year. Their number is 522-3908. Their website is ok.gov/odmhsas.

Join the conversation

For an ongoing conversation about mental illness in Oklahoma, join the Facebook group Oklahoma’s Addiction and Mental Health Community: https://www. facebook.com/groups/ okmentalhealth/

Started by The Oklahoman in 2014, the group has more than 2,000 members. Over the past three years, residents have been connected with treatment, housing and support through collaborative efforts of the group members.

Upon joining, please read the group’s community guidelines.