I Need Someone To Talk To: Where To Find Mental Health Support

Medically reviewed by Julie Dodson, MA, LCSW

Updated January 21st, 2026 by BetterHelp Editorial Team

When you find yourself juggling multiple mental health concerns (including stress, work, relationships, and mental and physical health) and thinking that you'd benefit from verbalizing your stressors, it is natural to look for a listening ear. Sometimes, amidst all these stressors, we simply want to vent. Having friends and family who you can speak with can make a significant difference in our daily stressors. Understandably, you may want a neutral person outside of your close friends and family who will listen when you discuss what you're experiencing.

However, the people you talk to may not always be available or know how to help you. Here are some other tools and resources to contact when you are experiencing challenges or emotional distress and need to talk to someone.

I need someone to talk to: How to seek mental health services

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of people in the United States who are receiving mental health treatment is growing, with more people looking to seek help from mental health professionals for symptoms of mental health disorders (such as anxiety and depressive disorders).

If you need someone to talk to, you're in good company. If you have been experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder or simply are looking for professional assistance in managing life’s stressors, there is no shame in talking to a therapist and adding them to your support system.

Getting started with BetterHelp is simple:

Take a short questionnaire. Answer a few quick questions about your goals, preferences, and the type of therapist you’d like to work with.
Get matched quickly. In most cases, you can be matched with a licensed provider in as little as 48 hours.
Start therapy on your terms. Schedule sessions by video, phone, or live chat, and join from anywhere you have an internet connection.

Finding the right therapist isn’t just important – it’s everything.

Find your match

How a therapist can help with stress or depression

A therapist is a dedicated mental health professional who is trained and licensed to guide people in learning to healthily cope with mental health concerns and life issues. Through talk therapy and other treatment strategies, they help navigate you through your intense thoughts and emotions when you are unable to on your own. They can also provide helpful resources to utilize during mental health struggles.

Talk therapy can benefit people who are experiencing stressful situations or need to talk to someone, and it can provide them with support, empathy, and strategies to cope. Seeking mental health treatment can be an excellent way to:

manage symptoms
develop healthy coping mechanisms
take control of your life once more

Receiving professional support via online chat service or video call

There is only so much that friends and family members can do to help when you need mental health support, and your best friend may not have the resources to help you. Furthermore, many people simply do not have healthy support systems in place to assist them through difficult and challenging times, especially if they’re living with an existing mental health concern. Many people may need to talk to someone, but need assistance. There are times when a licensed counselor can step in and help you develop coping skills and provide you with different options to manage and talk through your life challenges.

For example, you may experience panic attacks regularly and you have talked to your loved ones about your anxiety. Though they empathize, they do not know how to help you with the condition. A trained counselor can help you learn grounding techniques and many others to use when you are experiencing a panic attack.

Finding the right therapist isn’t just important – it’s everything.

Find your match

Who should talk to a therapist?

First and foremost, anyone can seek therapy and mental health support, no matter the situation. You do not need to have severe symptoms of mental health distress to reach out for professional support. Talking to a therapist before stress or other life events overwhelm your capacity to function helps you to identify warning signs of a developing mental health disorder. You can even utilize therapy to help you cope with a physical illness. You also can learn strategies that help you learn coping tools as well as strategies to build resilience for present and future stressful life events.

If you are interested in online therapy, many counselors at BetterHelp understand how to help people manage symptoms of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. If you have a life challenge or mental health condition and need someone to talk to, counseling can help. Your therapist wants to support you and help improve your mental health.

When you want to join a community

Even after speaking with a trained counselor, it is a good idea to develop a support network that understands what you are going through so you always have someone to talk to. Though your current friends may be a good option for you, keep in mind that not everyone is comfortable or knows how to talk about mental health with others. An emotional support group can offer peer support with people who understand what you’re going through. Support groups are generally available for a variety of mental health conditions and relationship issues, which you may find helpful. When you talk to someone who has had similar experiences, they can provide support in a way that others may not be able to.

Support groups give you the opportunity to meet with peers who understand your situation or mental health conditions. These support groups can offer support and guidance when you are experiencing emotional stress or fear and may even have some strategies that can help you feel calm again. They can give you hope that things won’t always be as difficult as they may be currently. Furthermore, they are also a great source of social interaction if you simply feel lonely and want to connect with more people.

Support groups are usually led by a licensed therapist or counselor. However, some are led by a pastor, minister, or a trained moderator who manages a mental health disorder. Support groups are specifically geared towards those who have a similar diagnosis or condition, this helps build a circle of trust that allows participants to be open and talk without judgment. You may also consider online forums if in-person support groups aren’t available to you.

69%

of BetterHelp clients use
one or more self care & clinical tools

Source: State of Stigma Report, May 2025

Most used tools

Worksheets

Goal & habit tracking

Journal

Support groups

Classes

Who do I text or chat during a mental health emergency?

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency such as thoughts of self-harm, do not wait for your next therapy session to talk about it.

For example, if you are experiencing depression or similar mental health conditions, you may at some point experience suicidal thoughts. When this happens, immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support. This service is completely free and available 24/7. When you call, trained listeners will provide you with a safe space to discuss your thoughts and situation. They will listen to you with empathy and compassion and may also be able to point you to local resources, such as low-income mental health services. If you do not want to call, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also has an online chat crisis line, so you can discuss your situation with trained professionals more discreetly. The national suicide crisis lifeline, crisis text line, and online chat line are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can help you find someone to talk to about your thoughts and feelings when you feel lonely.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Text or call 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Support is available 24/7. If you are experiencing trauma, support is available.

Crisis lines and numbers

There are other crisis lines that help people with other specific mental health conditions and emergencies. Below are some other crisis lines that are available to you.

National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
National Eating Disorder Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237 (M-Th: 9 AM-9 PM EST, Fri 9 AM - 5 PM EST)
SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (for concerns about substance abuse)
Veterans Crisis Line Call 1-800-273-8255 (and press 1) or text 838255. For support for the deaf and hard of hearing community who may be TTY users, please use your preferred relay service, or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ Lifeline) at (866)488-7386
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

When you contact these crisis lines, you will discuss your problem with a trained counselor or other professional to help you with your crisis. Some hotlines also allow you to text them or use an online chat if you want an even less direct connection. Furthermore, some of these sites offer an online forum so you can chat with others who know what you are going through.

If you are not someone experiencing these crises but know someone who is, you can still contact these hotlines for support and guidance.

Getting professional mental health support for a variety of reasons

The National Institute of Mental Health has recently reported that 53 million, or 1 in 5 people, in the United States are living with a mental health disorder. The demand for qualified licensed mental health therapists is greater than ever. You may be having trouble finding an in-person therapist due to barriers such as the following:

personal obstacles
a busy schedule
limited openings in your local community

If you are having a hard time scheduling an appointment, consider making an appointment with an online therapist. With online therapy, you can schedule sessions with your therapist at the time most convenient for you. You and your online therapist can communicate anytime, day or night via phone, message, or video chat. Research has shown that online therapy is equally as effective in helping treat mental health as in-person therapy. For example, a study published in the peer-reviewed research Journal of Clinical Psychology revealed that in over 100 different online counseling trials overall attitudes between both counselors and participants were as positive as with in-person counseling.

The therapists at BetterHelp are trained to help you improve your mental health being that they are licensed therapists who can help you better cope with life and stress with specific solutions for the challenges you face.

"Andromeda has been with me for almost a year and I have seen so much growth in myself. I appreciate her being a safe, consistent support in my life during a season of healing."

— BetterHelp member’s review of their therapist

More reviews

Takeaway

If you are considering meeting with a therapist, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an in-person or online therapist. With mental health therapy, you will not only have support and help that you need, but you can also learn strategies to improve the way you manage the challenges that life gives you.

If you are experiencing mental health concerns, anxiety, depression, or relationship problems, know these are all concerns that the counselors at BetterHelp understand and can help you effectively address. They want to help support you through these obstacles. You can talk to them about whatever challenges you are experiencing and get the focused guidance and empathy that you deserve.

Frequently asked questions

Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.

Why do I feel the need to talk about my feelings, and why is emotional expression important?

Expressing your emotions is important for supporting positive mental health, reducing stress, understanding yourself more deeply, and fostering close and authentic relationships. Feeling the need to talk about your feelings can be very natural, and it may stem from wanting help identifying or processing what you’re feeling, or from wanting to feel heard, understood, and supported, among other reasons.

When you want a listening ear, know that most of us want people who will listen when we speak, and having a support system is important. What a support system looks like can vary and could include a range of different individuals, including a therapist or counselor, peers in a support group, families, or friends.

Who can I contact if I need immediate mental health support or crisis help?

If you are in crisis and need immediate support, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. These resources are intended for immediate support. If you are hard of hearing, you can use your preferred relay service and contact a hotline or dial “711” first.

For additional resources, please visit our Get Help Now page.

Where can I find someone to text or chat with when I need emotional support?

For emotional support over text or chat, you can consider a platform like 7Cups, which allows you to chat with trained listeners 24/7. Joining a support group may also help you find ongoing support from peers. Support groups are often free and can meet online or in person. They can cover many different subjects, including anxiety, divorce, depression, physical illness, and substance use disorders. Talking to others who are experiencing similar challenges can be helpful.

For further support, therapy can also help with these concerns, therapy can allow you to talk to a trained mental health professional about challenges you may be facing.

Where can I talk to someone online for free when I feel alone or distressed?

Helpful online resources might include online support groups, which can be free, online forums, and chatrooms designed for mutual peer support. Support groups can help you feel less alone while connecting with peers, and the individuals in the group you attend can become a part of your support system. Hotlines such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) or the Crisis Text Line (text HOME or HOLA to 741741) are free and available 24/7.

How can I find a therapist or counselor if I’m feeling overwhelmed by my thoughts?

Taking the first step by reaching out for help is incredibly brave, and there are many ways you might find a compassionate therapist or counselor who can support you. You might consider asking your primary care doctor or trusted friends for recommendations, or exploring online directories of professionals in your area, knowing that help is within reach. You can also consider an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, which makes it easy to get started—simply fill out a brief questionnaire to be matched with a therapist who aligns with your needs and preferences.

What are the common signs of emotional distress, and when should I reach out for help?

Some common signs of emotional distress include:

Feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed
Difficulty concentrating
Lack of interest in activities you previously enjoyed
Irritability
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
Lack of energy
Changes in appetite or eating habits

These are just a handful of potential signs, but if you are experiencing any distress or other mental health symptoms that you are having difficulty managing on your own, know that help is available.

Who can I call or message when I just need someone to talk to about my problems?

For free emotional support, you can try a platform such as 7Cups, which allows you to chat online with a trained listener at any time. However, this emotional support is provided by volunteers, and it is not a replacement for professional therapy. For professional support, you can use an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, which allows you to message your therapist at any time, and they will respond when they can.

Are there free online support groups or peer-support communities I can join?

Yes, there are a variety of free online support groups and peer-support communities available that you can explore. Options include the free support groups available through NAMI, which are peer-led and offered virtually.

What are the early warning signs of a mental health crisis?

The exact signs and symptoms of a mental health crisis can depend on the individual and the mental health condition or conditions they are experiencing, but some common warning signs of worsening mental health may include:

Withdrawing from others
Difficulty leaving the house
Neglecting personal hygiene
Trembling, shaking, or rapid heartbeat
Having thoughts of self-harm
Panic attacks

What coping tools can I use—like the 5-5-5 rule—to calm anxiety when I don’t have someone to talk to?

Coping tools such as the 5-5-5 rule, guided meditations, deep breathing exercises, and mindful movement may help you calm anxiety when you don’t have someone to talk to. The 5-5-5 method is a grounding technique that aims to help you focus on the present moment. To use it, simply identify five things you can see, five things you can hear, and five things you can move.

Seeking to improve your mental health?

Connect with a BetterHelp therapist online

The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.

Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet started

Top categories

See all categories