Mental Health Resources

If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for immediate support 24/7. You can also text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. Crisis counselors are trained to help with suicidal thoughts, substance use crises, emotional distress, and any mental health emergency. These services are free, confidential, and available to everyone.

Several excellent support group resources are available: NAMI Connection (peer support for adults with mental illness), DBSA support groups (depression and bipolar), ADAA support groups (anxiety disorders), SMART Recovery (substance use), and AA/NA for co-occurring disorders. Many groups meet both in-person in South Florida and virtually. Online communities like NAMI Discussion Groups and 7 Cups provide additional peer support. Visit our Support Groups Directory page for specific meeting times and locations.

Supporting a loved one with mental illness starts with education. NAMI offers the Family-to-Family program, a free 12-week course teaching communication skills, crisis management, and self-care for caregivers. Learn about their specific condition, use I-statements when communicating, set healthy boundaries without enabling, and encourage professional treatment while respecting their autonomy. Take care of your own mental health through support groups, therapy, or respite care. Visit our Family Support & Education page for detailed strategies and local resources.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI provides free education programs including Family-to-Family (for family members), NAMI Basics (for parents of children with mental health conditions), and NAMI Peer-to-Peer (for people with mental illness). They offer support groups, a national helpline (1-800-950-NAMI), online discussion communities, and advocacy resources. NAMI has local affiliates throughout Florida providing in-person support and education.

Yes, South Florida has many local mental health resources. Mobile crisis teams serve Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties providing in-person emergency assessment. SoutheastFLORIDA Behavioral Health Network coordinates regional crisis services. Local NAMI chapters in Palm Beach and Broward offer support groups and education programs. Many hospitals including Delray Medical Center and JFK Medical Center have psychiatric emergency services. The Florida Department of Children and Families operates crisis stabilization units throughout the region.

Consider seeking professional help if you experience persistent symptoms lasting more than two weeks including depressed mood, excessive worry or anxiety, significant changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty functioning at work or in relationships, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, substance use affecting your life, or trauma symptoms. Even if symptoms don't meet formal criteria for a disorder, therapy and psychiatric care can help with life transitions, stress management, and personal growth. Early intervention typically leads to better outcomes. Contact RECO Integrated Psychiatry at (561) 464-4077 for a confidential consultation.