Self-Help Links

Help for Depression

Several sites are hosted by non-mental health professionals, with information about what it's like to have depression and the various treatment options.

Healthy Place.com Depression Community

A website maintained by an individual who has suffered from depression all his life. Contains extensive resources.

The Depression Center

A website with extensive information on depression. Has a large, active online community for support. Provides an online Depression Test that you can use to help you determine if you are experiencing some of the classic symptoms of clinical depression. The purpose of the test is to prepare you with information that you can present to your mental health professional - it's not designed to replace professional diagnosis or treatment.

Planet Therapy "Living With Depression"

A continuing education provider for mental health professionals, this website provides information on the challenges of living with depression and what to do about it.

Help for Anxiety

Basic information about anxiety disorders

Information about anxiety disorders in general, and specific types of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. This information is provided by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), the only national, non-profit membership organization dedicated to informing the public, healthcare professionals and legislators that anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable. The ADAA promotes the early diagnosis, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders, and is committed to improving the lives of the people who suffer from them.

Ohio State University Anxiety and Stress Disorders Clinic

OSU hosts several pages where you can take a quiz or assess your experiences in relation to what clinicians look for when they diagnose an anxiety disorder. None of the information is meant to substitute for mental health care, but can provide you with a sense of what the types of experiences you are having might be.

Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Association

Provides definitions, explanations of symptoms and treatment, resources and links for people experiencing social phobia/social anxiety disorder.

National Institutes of Mental Health Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Booklets, fact sheets, and summaries about PTSD.

National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD)

The NCPTSD's mission is to advance the clinical care and social welfare of America's veterans through research, education, and training in the science, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and stress-related disorders.

Help For Problematic Alcohol Or Other Substance Use

Al-Anon and Alateen

The Al-Anon and Alateen Family Headquarters website to help families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend. To determine if someone else's drinking is affecting you, take this 20-question online quiz.

King County Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division

Information on the many services available in King County.

Is your own drinking problematic?

To help determine if your own drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful, you can answer the following questions on two separate self-assessment tests: http://alcoholism.about.com/od/tests/a/quiz_alcoholic.htm and http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/alcohol-use/alcoholuse-alcoholic.html

General Sites For Information, Support And Resources

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) - Greater Seattle

NAMI Greater Seattle's mission is to address the unmet needs of individuals with mental illness and their families through advocacy, public education, information and referral, and self-help support groups.

Community Resources Online (hosted by the Crisis Clinic)

A search engine to find resources for the exact nature of the situation you are experiencing.

The American Psychological Association Help Center

The APA Help Center is a place where individuals can get information and fact sheets on a variety of topics about mental health, choosing a psychologist, using psychology to enhance the workplace, and other topics.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The NIMH publications page offers fact sheets and information on a variety of psychological conditions, including depression, anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, bipolar disorder, and many others. This section offers information about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses. Included are brochures and information sheets, reports, press releases, fact sheets, and other educational materials.

Crisis Resources

King County Crisis Clinic
206-461-3222
866-427-4747

A non-profit organization that offers an array of services to anyone in King County, including Suicide Prevention & Education, Emotional Crisis & Trauma Info, Caregiver Services, Disability Services, and Homeless & Housing Youth Resources. Has extensive directory listings for emergency services.

Crisis Clinic of the Peninsulas
360-479-3033

Serving Kitsap, Jefferson, and Clallam Counties, this volunteer organization provides crisis intervention, information and referrals, and supportive listening to the people in their communities who are experiencing situational distress.

Pierce County Regional Support Network

Provided by Pierce County, this website provides mental health and crisis services and resources.
Pierce County Crisis Line: 253-272-9882; 800-584-3578