Los Angeles Mission Library: Research Guide of the Month: May: Mental Health Awareness

Welcome to the Mental Health Awareness research guide!

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and with finals season approaching, now is a great time to learn more about mental wellness and brush up on your coping strategies. Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 by Mental Health America to help raise awareness and remove some of the stigma around mental health.

Mental health is a critical part of our overall wellness, but we often feel embarrassed, ashamed, or afraid to talk about it openly. This collective silence around mental health can feel really lonely when we struggle with mental illness, or when we are concerned about a loved one. However, the truth is, 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness at some point in their life. Even people who don't develop a mental illness still face challenges in life that can have negative impacts on their mental wellbeing.

There is nothing shameful about struggling with mental health, and the more we talk about it, the better off everyone will be.

In this research guide, you will find tips and resources for learning about a variety of mental illnesses and improving your own mental wellbeing. Particularly as finals approach and stress levels rise, we encourage you to take care of yourselves both physically and mentally, and to seek out support when you need it, either from friends and family, resources on campus, or a mental health professional.

Please use the navigation tabs to the leftabove or click on the links below to get started.

Quick Links

General Mental Health Tips & Resources

Stress & Anxiety Disorders

Depression & Mood Disorders

BIPOC & Marginalized Communities

Get Help

If you or a loved one is in crisis, please seek help. One of the resources below may be able to assist. If there is a medical emergency, please immediately dial 911 instead.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. A skilled, trained crisis worker who works at a local crisis center 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. All calls are free and confidential.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
Domestic Violence Hotline: Call (800) 799-SAFE (7233) The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse. Calls to the Hotline will be answered 24/7 by highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages.
Sexual Assault Hotline: Call (800) 656-HOPE (4673) Call (800) 656-HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. Calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline gives you access to a range of free services, including confidential support from a trained staff member, support finding a local health facility that is trained to care for survivors of sexual assault, local resources that can assist with your next steps toward healing and recovery, and more.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Hotline: Call (800) 662-HELP (4357) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Veterans Crisis Line: Call (800) 273-8255 and Press 1 The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource available to any Veteran, even if they are not enrolled in VA health care or registered with VA. Care does not end when the conversation is over. The Veterans Crisis Line can connect Veterans to their local suicide prevention coordinators (SPC), who follow up to coordinate care.

Please note: The tips and resources provided in this guide are not intended to substitute for professional mental health advice. If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of mental illness, please consider reaching out to a doctor or mental health professional for support.