Recognizing that you need help is hard. Seeking out that help out is even harder. If you are struggling, please believe that simply reading these words and considering your options is a brave first step.

If you need someone to talk to right now, here is a list of reputable 24-hour hotlines:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
• The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
• Childhelp, a nonprofit dedicated to the prevention of child abuse : 1-800-4-A-CHILD
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
• National Domestic Violence Hotline Spanish: 1-800-942-6908
• Battered Women and their Children: 1-800-603-HELP

To find and join a group of people who are dealing with similar issues, start here:

• Alcoholic Anonymous: http://www.aa.org/
• Al-Anon provides help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics: https://al-anon.org
• Families Anonymous provides support and recovery from the effects of a loved one’s addictions. familiesanonymous.org
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance dbsalliance.org

If you would like to find a counselor or psychologist to speak to, use this tool to discover licensed therapists in your area:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/

Please be patient with yourself as you reach out for help. It might take a few tries to find the right person or people to talk to, but again, just beginning the process is a brave first step on your journey of healing.