Where to Find Help: Global & Online Platforms Offering Real Mental Health Support

In this post, we’ve gathered trusted global and online mental-health platforms offering free or low-cost care, culturally sensitive resources, and real people who listen.

Whether you’re dealing with stress, trauma, grief, abuse, suicide, or eating disorders for women, men, children, and families. There are safe, accessible, and culturally sensitive spaces online and around the world that can offer you guidance, listening ears, and culturally sensitive support. These services can be accessed from anywhere, many offering chat or text options.

General Mental Health Support

• Find a Helpline - Free, confidential support from a helpline or hotline near you.

  Online chat, text or phone.

  
  

• 7 Cups – Free, anonymous chat with trained listeners.

  
  

• BetterHelp - Paid online therapy platforms with financial aid options.

  
  

• International Therapist Directory: lists therapists, counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists interested in providing culturally sensitive cross-cultural treatment and care for today’s international expat community.

Trauma, Abuse and Violence Support

• Chayn - Resources to support the healing of survivors of gender-based violence.

  
  

• No More Global Directory - A directory of domestic and sexual violence helplines and services.

  
  

• Lila.Help - Gender-based violence helplines and NGOs for almost every country in the world.

  
  

• Global Modern Slavery Directory (GMSD) - database of organizations and agencies across the globe that address the issue of modern slavery and human trafficking.

  
  

• Hot Peaches Pages - Abuse information and support for every woman and every girl on Earth.

  
  

• Domestic Shelters - online and mobile searchable directory of domestic violence programs and shelters in the U.S. and Canada

  
  

• National Domestic Violence Hotline (US): Call 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org

  
  

• Women’s Aid (UK) – Support for survivors of domestic violence.

  
  

• RAINN (US) – Sexual assault hotline (1-800-656-HOPE).

Crisis, Suicide and Self Harm

• Befrienders Worldwide – International directory of suicide helplines.

  
  

• Lifeline International - Over 200 LifeLine Centres operated by 37 Members in 29 countries and growing.

  
  

• Samaritans (UK & Ireland): Call 116 123 (24/7)

  
  

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): Dial or text 988 (24/7)

  
  

• Talk Suicide Canada: Call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645

  
  

• Lifeline (Australia): 13 11 14

Women’s Mental Health

• Postpartum Support International - Perinatal mental health provider directory.

  
  

• The International Marce Society for Perinatal Mental Health Resources - Resources for maternal health support.

  
  

• Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance - Maternal and Mental Health Resources for BIPOC Women, Mothers, and Birthing People.

  
  

• Uplift (USA) - Provides financial support to women in immediate need of basic necessities, health care, education, and emergency assistance.

Men’s Mental Health

• HeadsUpGuys – For men experiencing mental health issues.

  
  

• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM, UK) – Men’s mental health & suicide prevention.

  
  

• Therapy for Black Men: Therapist access and emotional support for Black men.

  
  

• Express Yourself Black Man - mental health platform for Black men created by Black men.

  
  

• Man Therapy - Help support the mental health and wellbeing of men

Children & Youth

• International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children - Protect children from being missing, exploited, and abused.

  
  

• WeProtect Global Alliance - Protect children from the growing threat of online sexual exploitation and abuse

  
  

• Kid Help Phone (Canada) - 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, multilingual and confidential support to help all young people.

  
  

• Childline (UK) - a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. We’re here for you online, on the phone, anytime.

  
  

• Teen Counseling - Help your child thrive with professional therapy.

Couples and Family

• Our Ritual - Online therapy offering effective relationship support for modern couples.

  
  

• love is respect - offers 24/7 information, support, and advocacy to young people between the ages of 13 and 26 who have questions or concerns about their romantic relationships.

  
  

• Octave - Effective and affordable individual, couples, and family therapy that fits your schedule (online and offline).

  
  

• Regain - professional couple therapy

Culturally Resonant Support

• Black Mental Health Alliance (US): – Culturally competent therapist network.

  
  

• The Loveland Foundation  – Therapy fund for Black women and girls.

  
  

• Asian Mental Health Collective  – Culturally relevant therapy directory.

  
  

• LatinX Therapy – Mental health professionals serving Latinx communities.

  
  

• Nisa Homes (Canada)  – Safe shelters for Muslim, immigrant, and refugee women.

  
  

• Sisters in Mind (UK): – Mental health and well-being for Black women.

  
  

• Health In Hue - A digital platform that connects Black women and women of color to culturally competent and sensitive healthcare providers and offers health information and content that centres their lived experiences.

  
  

• Therapy for Black Girls – Therapist directory & community for Black women.

  
  

• StrongMinds - Innovating Mental Health Care for Women in Africa.

  
  

• Chatnow - provides people with the opportunity to chat live, anonymously, and privately at any time of day or night with a Christian volunteer.

Grief, Loss & Trauma

• GriefShare – Group support and resources.

  
  

• The Dinner Party – Grief support community for young adults.

  
  

• Trauma Research Foundation – Trauma-informed care and education.

  
  

• Option B - Practical guidance to take care of yourself and support your loved ones through grief and life’s most challenging moments.

  
  

• The Compassionate Friends - Providing support to bereaved families after the death of a child for five decades.

  
  

• Grief In Common - Support groups when you are struggling with loss.

  
  

• Farah & Farah - support for grief after traumatic car accident. They offer services as personal injury attorneys.

Eating Disorders, Body Image & Substance Abuse

• NEDA (US) – Helpline: 1-800-931-2237

  
  

• Project HEAL  – Financial assistance for eating disorder treatment.

  
  

• Beat (UK)  – Helplines for adults & youth.

  
  

• Body Brave (Canada)  – Support and treatment for eating disorders.

  
  

• National Eating Disorder Iinformation Centre (Canada): Helpline: 1-866-NEDIC-20 (toll-free) or 416-340-4156 (Toronto) Live chat: nedic.ca E-mail: nedic@uhn.ca

  
  

• Butterfly (Australia) - national charity for anyone in Australia impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, as well as the families, friends and communities who support them.

  
  

• She Recovers Foundation - Uniting Women in Recovery from from substance abuse and sought solidarity with other women.

Digital & Self-Help Resources

• Insight Timer (App) - Free meditations & mindfulness guides.

  
  

• Headspace (Apps) - Free meditations & mindfulness guides.

  
  

• Calm (App) - Free meditations & mindfulness guides.

  
  

• Wysa (App) - AI chatbots keep track of your mood with friendly chats and helps fight stress and anxiety and calming meditation and mindfulness audios.

  
  

• Youper (App) - AI chatbot as emotional health assistant

  
  

• Daylio (App) - Journal, Diary and Mood Tracker

  
  

• Habitica (App) - a free habit-building and productivity app

  
  

• Fabulous (App) - self-care coaching app

  
  

• Forest (App) - help users stay focused by "planting" virtual trees that grow as they avoid distractions.

  
  

• Skillshare - offer courses on various subjects to help users learn new skills.

  
  

• TalkLife - provides a safe, community-based platform for users to share experiences and seek peer advice, especially for those feeling isolated.

  
  

• YouTube Channels: The Mindful Movement, Therapy in a Nutshell, Dr. Thema Bryant, Nedra Tawwab.

Finding the courage to seek help can feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve been taught to “be strong,” “pray it away,” or keep your struggles to yourself. But asking for help is strength, not weakness.

No matter where you are, who you are, or what you’ve been through, your pain is valid and your healing matters. These platforms were created to remind you that you are not invisible that there are people, communities, and resources ready to support you through every step of your journey.

If you know any platform to be included or have any questions, send me an email free2restproject@gmail.com

I will be updating this list over time...