Independent and free. Sources opened on October 14, 2026. Never a law firm.
You do not have to become an expert this week. One phone call, or one form, is a full day's work.
SAMHSA's National Helpline is free and confidential, 24 hours, in English and Spanish. It refers you to treatment and information. It is not a substitute for 911.
If this just happened, you can still be the same person and need new help. Start with one office. Rest counts as progress.
Being tired of the paperwork does not mean you failed. Lots of people are sent in circles. A source and a next step are here so you can start from where you are.
You can look things up for them. You do not have to tell us their diagnosis. Ask them what they want, when they can say. Your care is real, and so is your limit. You are allowed to need a next step too.
These are organizations we opened and read. A peer is not a clinician and not a lawyer. If you are in danger, call 911. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is for mental health, suicide, and substance-use crises. SAMHSA says you can call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time. Veterans can dial 988 and then press 1.
SAMHSA's National Helpline is a different line. It is free, confidential, and open 24 hours, in English and Spanish, for treatment referrals and information about mental health and substance use. The number is 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357). TTY is 1-800-487-4889. It is a referral line, not a substitute for 911.
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation describes a free Peer and Family Support Program for people living with paralysis and for family members and caregivers. A mentor has at least a year of living with paralysis, or of caring for someone who does. The overview says mentors are in more than 40 states. Topics they can talk about include coming home from rehab, work or school, relationships, and the strain of caregiving. When we opened that page, the program was not accepting applications to become a mentor. Read the page for how to ask for support. A mentor is not medical care.
Centers for Independent Living are local nonprofits, often led by disabled people, for daily-life skills and peer support. NAMI has local groups and a HelpLine for people living with mental illness and for their families. Those listings are below.
Some people want a congregation. Some people do not. Both are ordinary. This site does not tell you which to choose.
Joni and Friends is a Christian ministry. Its FAQ says it became a nonprofit in 1979 and serves churches and families affected by disabilities. The headquarters address on that page is 30009 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills, California 91301. It is one faith community we opened, not a complete list, and not a requirement.
Non-religious options we opened include Centers for Independent Living, NAMI, and the Reeve peer program. A local independent living center can also tell you what peer groups meet near you, including groups that are not on this page.
Federal agency
Administration for Community Living
ACL describes Centers for Independent Living as local nonprofits that offer in-person support so people with disabilities can make their own choices. ACL says the centers are authorized under the Rehabilitation Act and that more than 350 operate across the country, largely led by people with disabilities.
Nonprofit
National Council on Independent Living
NCIL says its mission is to advance the independent living movement and the human and civil rights of people with disabilities, and to expand independent living programs. Its site includes a finder for Centers for Independent Living.
Nonprofit
NAMI
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Its site includes Find Your Local NAMI, a HelpLine, and pages for family members and caregivers. It also has a page on what to do in a crisis. NAMI is not a substitute for emergency help.