There are myriad non-profit mental health counseling agencies throughout the U.S. Most agencies have their own specialty or niche, a particular need that they strive to fill in their communities. Some prominent non-profits stand out as organizations that similar agencies should try to emulate. This could result in positive changes across the mental health spectrum. Here are a few of these standout organizations.
Give an Hour Provides Free Help for Soldiers and Their Families
Image via Flickr by Army Medicine
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs lists some mental health disorders that commonly affect soldiers after they return from war. Veterans may have to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse problems, and difficulty getting along with others.
Give an Hour seeks to fill the unique needs of these brave men and women. The organization offers free treatment for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other disorders through a network of around 7,000 psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and therapists. In addition to helping veterans and their families, Give an Hour also participates in educational programs that seek to mitigate the stigma that often gets attached to mental health disorders.
Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors Aids Those Whose Loved Ones Have Committed Suicide
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in 2013 around 41,000 people in the United States died as a result of suicide. Each of these deaths creates a ripple effect among the decedent’s friends and relatives. As the Mayo Clinic explains, they may experience shock, anger, guilt, despair, confusion, and feelings of rejection.
The Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors seeks to help these survivors through its online forum, which acts as a support group. People who have lost loved ones to suicide can get in touch with each other any time and discuss their emotions and any techniques they learn for coping. The Alliance makes use of telemedicine, by offering counseling services via phone and Skype. In this way, the Alliance can transcend the barriers of distance and help people who live almost anywhere.
weSPARK Cancer Support Center
The weSPARK Cancer Support Center provides services for cancer patients as well as their families. The SPARK in weSPARK’s name stands for Support, Prevention, Acceptance, Recovery, and Knowledge.
Although weSPARK is based in California, its online community is open to people across the country. weSPARK’s blog also offers a host of information relevant to cancer patients and their loved ones. For people who live near weSPARK’s home base, free in-person support groups are available.
How They Lead the Way
These non-profit mental health organizations are dedicated to providing necessary services to their target demographics and sharing that commitment with counselors. Through their use of online forums, telemedicine services, free services, and compassionate care, these organizations serve as examples to other non-profit mental health organizations.
Aspiring counselors and experienced mental health professionals alike can benefit from becoming familiar with local non-profits and learning from their innovative, caring approach to mental health treatment.