Sharing resources, raising awareness, and developing tools to support mental health benefits everyone. As Mental Health America notes, “while 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.”
We’ve been sharing one such challenge around the globe. The pandemic has shown the importance of finding ways to take care of each other and support our own mental health. Now more than ever, we need to break the stigma of seeking help and enable access to mental health treatment and education.
With that in mind, we’re spotlighting 13 mental health nonprofits who make a difference in this effort every day, and whose work is crucial given the heightened distress of this crisis.
13 Mental Health Organizations and Charities to Support
1. Mental Health America
Mental Health America is a national organization that serves people living with mental illness and promotes mental health “through advocacy, education, research, and services.” They seek to identify mental illnesses early and construct a plan of care that best supports the individual.
MHA distributes information and online tools and organizes events to build better understanding of mental illness identification and intervention when necessary, in addition to recommending policy changes that support mental health for all.
Consider donating your free cash back to Mental Health America when shopping online.
2. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) aims to “a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares.” Guided by the core values of hope, inclusion, empowerment, compassion, and fairness, they offer mental health education, advocate for national legislation that supports people with mental illness, run a toll-free helpline, and organize events and activities that build awareness.
Consider donating your free cash back to National Alliance on Mental Illness when shopping online.
3. Hope for Depression Research Foundation
Hope for Depression Research Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting depression through research and educational programs about depression, anxiety, and mood-related disorders.
Founded in 2006, HDRF focuses on a variety of research areas within brain science, and in 2010, launched a Depression Task Force comprising 9 leading scientists to deepen their efforts to understand mental illnesses.
Consider donating your free cash back to Hope for Depression Research Foundation when shopping online.
4. The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and support services to LGBTQ youth under 25.
Founded in 1998, the national organization offers a 24/7 toll-free phone lifeline and free confidential instant messaging and text messaging services — all with trained volunteer counselors. The Trevor Project also facilitates educational workshops and support training for young people, adults, and allies; policy advocacy to protect LGBTQ people, and other community-building initiatives.
Consider donating your free cash back to The Trevor Project when shopping online.
5. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance offers support and education to “improve the lives of people who have mood disorders.” DBSA’s core values are community, inspiration, wisdom, and responsibility. The nonprofit provides peer-led support groups and wellness tools, advances research and promotes information about wellness practices, and advocates to protect the autonomy of people living with mental illness as they navigate their chosen path.
Consider donating your free cash back to Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance when shopping online.
6. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides a national community of support for those affected by suicide.
Founded in 1987, AFSP is dedicated to research, education, and advocacy focused on mental health and suicide prevention. The organization works to pass public policy at the state and federal level to help prevent suicide and engender improved mental health nationwide and provides approachable resources for people to get help quickly.
Consider donating your free cash back to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention when shopping online.
7. Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Anxiety and Depression Association of America is an international nonprofit focused on “prevention and treatment of anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other conditions through education, practice, and research.”
The organization’s members include psychiatrists, psychologists, neuroscientists, researchers, nurses, social workers, and therapists. They aim to improve individual well-being through a variety of support strategies and resources including free webinars, online peer-to-peer support groups, a therapist directory, newsletter, and more.
Consider donating your free cash back to Anxiety and Depression Association of America when shopping online.
8. To Write Love On Her Arms
To Write Love On Her Arms is a nonprofit that aims to bring hope and help to those struggling with depression, addiction, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
Since its start in 2006, TWLOHA has invested over $2.6 million directly into treatment and recovery and has responded to 210,000+ emails from people needing encouragement and support all over the world. And in just 2020 alone, the mental health non-profit sponsored 2,600 individual counseling sessions, shared over 123 stories on their blog and podcast, and delivered the message of hope to all 50 states and 70 countries through 27,000 fulfilled merch orders.
Consider donating your cash back to To Write Love On Her Arms when shopping online.
9. Mindfulness First
Mindfulness First is an Arizona-based nonprofit that provides “scientifically-informed mindful awareness and social-emotional learning programs” to children and adults nationwide. They train K–12 teachers both in these programs and in trauma, and share curriculum to help them help their students cultivate “mental health life skills.” In addition, Mindfulness First offers free monthly “Mindful Talks” with specialists, as well as free “Mindful Parties” that are available by appointment for kids. Learn more in our Featured Spotlight on Mindfulness First!
Consider donating your cash back to Mindfulness First when shopping online.
10. Crossroads of Iowa
Crossroads of Iowa offers holistic mental wellness classes to incarcerated women in Polk County Jail in Des Moines in an effort to reduce recidivism, provide closure, and empower individuals to process their experiences through journaling and other techniques. The group also provides classes that explore “the five stages of grief and explain the difference between grieving and mourning.”
Consider donating your cash back to Crossroads of Iowa when shopping online.
11. The Jed Foundation
The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit organization focused on protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among American teens and young adults. They work with high schools and colleges to “strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems,” in addition to providing community support, teaching life skills, and nurturing social connectedness to help young people feel close to their campuses and encourage them to seek help when they need it.
Consider donating your cash back to The Jed Foundation when shopping online.
12. Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation is a nonprofit that raises funds for scientific research to help better understand and address mental health challenges. Since 1987, they’ve awarded over $418 million across over 6,000 grants to research of addition, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other conditions. Their work is guided by a vision “to dramatically improve the lives of those with mental illness and ultimately enable people to live full, happy, and productive lives.”
Consider donating your cash back to Brain and Behavior Research Foundation when shopping online.
13. Active Minds
Active Minds is America’s “premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults.” They focus on people ages 14–25 with education, research, and advocacy initiatives that include campus speakers, wellness in the workplace presentations, policy change efforts, and more. Since 2003 they’ve helped over 8 million students, created 550+ campus chapters, held over 7,800 events “for mental health awareness and action.”
Consider donating your cash back to Active Minds when shopping online. Learn more about Active Minds and how they are making a difference for teens and young adults.
Give Back to Mental Health Awareness Through Charitable Shopping
When you use Giving Assistant to shop you can support Active Minds, Mindfulness First, or any mental health nonprofit by donating your free cash back. Your donation can help advocates, researchers, and educators around the country create more thoughtful discussions and approaches to mental health. Collectively, these micro-donations add up and help nonprofits like Active Minds reach their fundraising and impact goals.
You can also shop these 8 brands supporting mental health causes while paying forward your cash back earnings to a great nonprofit.
Every donation makes a difference.