Encouragemint
Psychological Resources
The following resources were once posted on the Encouragemint website. They are copied below as a courtesy. Neither Mark Scarola nor Encouragemint can speak speak to the quality of their services or the accuracy of their information. While the majority of these resources should be free and still provide the listed services, be sure to confirm with each individually for details. Please read the full disclaimer below.
If you're looking for local resources such as health clinics, financial assistance, food banks, etc. click here.
​
If you are feeling unsafe, suicidal, or otherwise having active or current thoughts about wanting to hurt yourself or someone else please call 911. Just need to talk? Call 988. Learn more.
You can also learn about filing a report of abuse or neglect including how to do it and what to expect, as well as read about helping someone facing domestic violence.
Prescription / Medication Abuse
Postpartum (or Peripartum) Depression
Abortion
Stories by and hope for those affected by abortion. Available to women and men alike. Offered through local Catholic dioceses.
1-888-456-HOPE
​
Academic Stress
A resource for students and parents of students with an emphasis on starting and transitioning to college life.
​
A resource for mental health support with a focus on college students.
​
Offers articles, mentoring, and crisis counseling with an emphasis on the unique challenges of graduate students.
1-800-472-3457
​
Addictive Behaviors
Search for treatment related to addictive behaviors such as gambling, internet use, pornography, shopping, and more.
1-800-928-9139
​
Adult Protection
Nat'l Adult Protective Services Assoc
Contact information for local resources and the reporting of abuse of vulnerable adults, typically defined as those between 18 and 60 with a disability.
​
Alcohol
A 12-step program for family members and friends of those struggling with drugs, alcohol, and/or addictive behaviors.
1-800-736-9805
​
Coordinates support groups for those affected by the alcohol use of another person such as family and friends. Also includes Alateen for younger members.
1-888-425-2666
​
Coordinates support groups for people who want to stop drinking.
​
Search for treatment related to addictive behaviors such as gambling, internet use, pornography, shopping, and more.
1-800-928-9139
​
Learn about treatment and search for treatment providers, including specialized searches such as faith based and dual diagnosis centers.
1-800-743-5860
​
Search for treatment facilities and learn about different types of addictions.
​
Learn about treatment and what to expect from rehab. Search for a treatment center.
1-844-886-7803
​
Child Abuse
Learn how to report child abuse, discuss your experiences of child abuse, and find ways to help others.
1-888-422-4453
​
Website geared towards ending child sexual abuse. Offers information and a helpline with the perspective that adults must be educated and proactive.
1-888-773-8368
​
Disaster Relief
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
Crisis counseling for those affected by some form of a disaster such as a hurricane, fire, or act of mass violence, as well as those affected by trigger events such as anniversaries of traumatic events.
1-800-985-5990
​​​​
Domestic Violence
Search for shelters that care for animals and pets while people in abusive relationships focus on seeking help for themselves. Places include pet foster homes, kennels, and shelters that accept pets along with their owners.
​
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Information about abusive relationships and support to survivors of domestic violence and their loved ones.
Call: 1-800-799-7233
Text: LOVEIS to 22522
​
Eating Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association
Offers a helpline, information about eating disorders, and information about support groups primarily related to anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating.
1-800-931-2237
​
Learn about eating disorders and find treatment facilities in your area.
1-855-783-2519
​
Nat'l Assoc of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
Hotline and search options for locating treatment providers and support groups.
1-630-577-1330
​
Learn about and search for support groups focusing on compulsive eating.
505-891-2664
​
Elder Abuse
Nat'l Adult Protective Services Assoc
Contact information for local resources and the reporting of elder abuse. Elders are typically defined as those 60 years of age or older.
​
Learn about elder abuse and how to contact Adult Protective Services to report suspicions of such abuse.
​
Eldercare
Helps identify community resources tailored towards the needs of older adults including housing, healthcare, legal rights, home care, and transportation needs.
1-800-677-1116
​
Nat'l Adult Protective Services Assoc
Contact information for local resources and the reporting of elder abuse. Elders are typically defined as those 60 years of age or older.
​
Learn about elder abuse and how to contact Adult Protective Services to report suspicions of such abuse.
​
Emotional Crises
Connect 24/7 to a crisis hotline about yourself or a loved one. Anyone who is depressed, going through a hard time, or just needs to talk can use the service. Calls are routed to the closest center based on area code.
Call or Text: 988
​
Homelessness
Through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development search for low-income housing options, voucher programs, or speak to a housing counselor.
​
National directory of homeless shelters, food banks, soup kitchens, and free resources such as cell phones, dental care, and pregnancy tests.
​
Assistance with locating homeless shelters, human trafficking, and being trapped in an abusive household. Aimed specifically towards young people.
​
VA Program for Homeless Veterans
Multiple programs aimed at the housing, employment, mental health, and physical health of veterans.
1-877-424-3838
​
Directory of programs offering financial assistance to people who need help paying their rent.
641-715-3900 x190247
​
Human Trafficking
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Hotline for those affected by sexual and other forms of trafficking. Find resources, ask for help, report a tip, and more.
Call: 1-888-373-7888
Text: 233733
​
Information about child sexual trafficking (child prostitution) and a shelter for those looking to escape. They may even pay the travel costs to get you there.
1-800-551-1300
​
Household Chemical Ingestion
American Association of Poison Control Centers
Call with questions about ingested household chemicals, whether done accidentally or intentionally, overdoses on medications, drug interactions, etc.
1-800-222-1222
Long-Term Care
Search by zip code to find independent living, assisted living, nursing homes, memory care, and other similar communities.
​​
Medicare Home Health Agency Locator
Find Medicare-certified home health agencies in your area that provide treatment for an illness or injury.
​
Medicare Nursing Homes Locator
Find and compare Medicare-certified nursing homes in your area that provide treatment for those who cannot be care for at home and require 24-hour care.
​
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
Advocates and helps to resolve problems related to the health, safety, welfare, and individual rights of those who live in facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other residential care communities.
​
Loss of a Child
Shared stories of support to and from those who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, or a neonatal loss. Read the stories of others or share your own.
​
Information about parenthood emphasizing new parents and newborns. Their hotline is available for those mourning the loss of a baby.
1-800-221-7437
​
Military
Access emotional support and counseling, connect with local services including financial, legal, child care, etc., and get answers to military specific questions.
1-800-342-9647
​
Crisis hotline, online chat, and texting for active duty military, veterans, family, and friends dealing with PTSD, brain injuries, deployment issues, etc.
Call: 988 and press
Text: 838255
​
Learn about and connect to Veterans Administration services for caregivers of veterans, or call when you when you want someone "to just listen".
1-855-260-3274
​
View videos of and learn about stressful life events, as well as emotional, financial, spiritual, and other issues important to veterans and those around them. Also provides a search engine for local resources.
​
Hotline run by the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, a civilian nonprofit agency. Identifying information is kept confidential.
1-877-995-5247
​
VA Programs for Homeless Veterans
Multiple programs aimed at the housing, employment, mental health, and physical health of veterans.
1-877-424-3838
​
Missing People & Running Away
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Search for or report cases of kidnapping, abduction, running away, etc. as well as report cases of sexual exploitation.
1-800-843-5678
​
Call, chat, or join their forums if you're thinking of running away or already have. Get help and understand your options. Parents can also find support here.
1-800-786-2929
​
Offers live trainings, help in locating missing, runaway, and abducted children. Provides support for their loved ones.
1-800-426-5678 (Runaway/Missing)
1-800-716-3468 (Parental Abductions)
​
Nat'l Missing and Unidentified Persons System
Search for or help find missing people and/or help identify unidentified people (including those already deceased). This service is for people of all ages.
1-855-626-7600
​​
Pregnancy
Information and referrals for women who may be pregnant and are weighing their options: morning after contraceptives, abortion, adoption, parenting, etc.
Call or Text: 1-800-712-4357
​
American Pregnancy Association
Information for those trying to conceive, already pregnant, and new parents (including but not limited to unplanned pregnancies).
1-800-672-2296
​​
Self-Injury
Self Injury Outreach and Support
Information geared towards helping those who self injure and those affected by the self-imposed injuries of someone else. Read and watch the stories others dealing with self-injury.
​
A St. Louis based treatment program aimed at addressing self-injurious behavior.
1-800-366-8288
​
Sexual Assualt
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
Support, information, and referrals about sexual assault. Call if you or someone you care about has been affected. Visit their website to learn about warning signs, keeping safe, legal issues, and how to help others.
1-800-656-4673
​
Website geared towards ending child sexual abuse. Offers information and a helpline with the perspective that adults must be educated and proactive.
1-888-773-8368
​
Sexual Health
American Sexual Health Association
Information about sexual health in men and women, including information about STDs and links to other relevant sites.
​
A service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where you can find locations near you that test for STDs and Hepatitis.
​
Substance Use
Coordinates support groups for those affected by the substance use of another person such as family members and friends.
1-800-477-6291 & 1-310-534-8188
​
A 12-step program for family members and friends of those struggling with drugs, alcohol, and/or addictive behaviors.
1-800-736-9805
​
Support groups designed for those wanting to quit using cocaine and other substances.
1-310-559-5833
​
Coordinates support groups for people who want to stop using drugs and other substances.
1-818-773-9999 x771
​
SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
Search for mental health, substance use, and health care centers in your area.
1-800-662-4357
​
Search for treatment related to addictive behaviors such as gambling, internet use, pornography, shopping, and more.
1-800-928-9139
​
Learn about treatment and search for treatment providers, including specialized searches such as faith based and dual diagnosis centers.
1-800-743-5860
​
Search for treatment facilities and learn about different types of addictions.
​
Learn about treatment and what to expect from rehab. Search for a treatment center.
1-844-886-7803
​
Young Adults & Teenagers
Coordinates support groups for those affected by the alcohol use of another person such as family and friends. Also includes Alateen for younger members.
1-888-425-2666
​
Coordinates support groups for those affected by the substance use of another person such as family members and friends.
1-800-477-6291 & 1-310-534-8188
​
Assistance with locating homeless shelters, human trafficking, and being trapped in an abusive household. Aimed specifically towards young people.
​
Call, chat, or join their forums if you're thinking of running away or already have. Get help and understand your options. Parents can also find support here.
1-800-786-2929
​
Information and referrals for women who may be pregnant and are weighing their options: morning after contraceptives, abortion, adoption, parenting, etc.
Call or Text: 1-800-712-4357
​
Stories by and hope for those affected by abortion. Available to women and men alike. Offered through local Catholic dioceses.
1-888-456-HOPE
​
Self Injury Outreach and Support
Information geared towards helping those who self injure and those affected by the self-imposed injuries of someone else. Read and watch the stories others dealing with self-injury.
​
Connect 24/7 to a crisis hotline about yourself or a loved one. Anyone who is depressed, going through a hard time, or just needs to talk can use the service. Calls are routed to the closest center based on area code.
Call or Text: 988
​
A resource for students and parents of students with an emphasis on starting and transitioning to college life.
​
A resource for mental health support with a focus on college students.
​
General Referral Service
Disclaimer
211 is an information and referral service covering large portions of the United States and Canada.
Through their websites and telephone center you can get information about social service providers local to your area. This may include practical help such as financial assistance for single parents, domestic violence shelters, health clinics, and much more.
​
In many areas reaching them is as easy as dialing 2-1-1. In some areas however they are only available through an alternate phone number. Start by visiting their national
website which will help identify your local 211. Once you reach your local 211 website you can run a search for services specific to your area.
Neither Mark Scarola nor Encouragemint is responsible for the content or services provided by any resource or service provider listed here. Further, there is no guarantee of confidentiality of any hotlines, online chats, or other forms of communication they may offer, nor of the qualifications of the personnel working for these service providers. You are encouraged to use discretion when speaking with or providing any personal information to any of the resources listed.
​
Neither Mark Scarola nor Encouragemint is responsible for situations in which the offerings of a resource may have been changed or eliminated. Website links, phone numbers, and offered services often change over time. As a result, some of the resources listed here may no longer be valid or available. You may also be able to find other resources on your own of equal or greater value and quality than those presented here. This list is nothing more than a courtesy.