Minds

Updated April 27, 2022

Mental Health and Well-being

If you're having a difficult time and need someone to talk to, Careline Alaska is available 24/7. Call anytime, toll-free, 1-877-266-4357 (HELP) or text 4help to 839863 3-11 pm Tuesday-Saturday. Calls are confidential, judgment-free and no cost to you.

Some days success means taking a shower or bringing in the mail. We simply may not feel up to doing more, and we may not know where to turn for help. In fact, we may not even want to seek help because we don't want to burden others or consider it a sign of weakness — which it's not. Help and support, when needed, can save our life or the life of someone we love.

We also don't need to be in a crisis or feeling unwell to seek support or help. Like how we care for our physical health, prevention is a critical part of caring for our minds.

The global pandemic, combined with other world events, has resulted in prolonged, high levels of stress for many. The good news is that right now we have a heightened awareness of the importance of mental health. And because we know more about mental health and well-being, there's less stigma and more support.

Perhaps you or someone you love needs counseling, help with addiction, or protection against abuse. Maybe you are having trouble meeting your daily responsibilities. You might be struggling with new or progressive disabilities, or with caregiving for someone with them. Many people lately have needed new coping skills, including with parenting during these challenging times or with rising anxiety.

We want you to know you're not alone. We're here to help share the load. The goal of Healthy You is to provide tips, information, data and resources so more Alaskans are supported and empowered to improve their mental health.

If you are struggling, in addition to Careline Alaska, you can also call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Careline Alaska. 988 is currently being tested and will be operational nationwide in July 2022.

These resources can assist you in finding counseling, treatment or other mental health support:

• Al-Anon Family Groups
  
• Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Behavioral Health Wellness Clinic
• Alaska Responders Relief Line
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Careline Alaska 
• DHSS Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Bed Availability
• NAMI Alaska
• Narcotics Anonymous
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 
• NIMH Help for Mental Illness 
• Optum's Live and Work Well
• Recover Alaska
• SAMHSA Find Treatment
• SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
• SAMHSA Substance Use Treatment Locator
• Therapists in Alaska
• Treatment Connection (Open Beds)

Additional behavioral health resources:

• Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
• Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Behavioral Health
• CDC Mental Health Resources
• CDC How Right Now: Finding What Helps
• Crisis Now: Behavioral Health Crisis Response 
• DHSS Addiction and the Workplace Employer Toolkit
• DHSS Division of Behavioral Health 
• DHSS Mental Health Resiliency Guide 
• DHSS Well-Being Alaska (Coping during COVID-19)
• Mentalhealth.gov Parents & Caregivers page 
• Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more support to help you get through the day — and to plan your tomorrows.