National Resources & Hotlines
Finding the right information and support can make a meaningful difference in managing mental health challenges. Below are trusted national resources and hotlines designed to help patients, families, and caregivers access reliable education, evidence-based tools, and immediate assistance when needed.
Table of contents
National Hotlines & Immediate Support
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for 24/7 free and confidential support.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline: Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text “HelpLine” to 62640 for resources and support.
- National Child Abuse Hotline: Call 800-422-4453 for 24/7 parent/child support.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
- Drug and Alcohol Treatment Hotline: Call 1-800-662-HELP.
Child & Adolescent Resources
AACAP Parents’ Medication Guides
These guides provide clear, evidence-based information about medications commonly prescribed for children and adolescents with mental health disorders. They can help parents make informed decisions and discuss treatment options confidently with their child’s care team.
AACAP Resource Centers
AACAP Resource Centers empower consumers through patient education. Each AACAP Resource Center contains consumer-friendly definitions, answers to frequently asked questions, clinical resources, expert videos, and abstracts from JAACAP, Scientific Proceedings and Facts for Families relevant to each disorder.
AACAP Resource Libraries
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) offers a wide range of educational materials covering topics such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, and more. These resources are designed to help families better understand mental health conditions and treatment options.
Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute is a nonprofit organization devoted to transforming children’s and adolescents’ mental health and learning-disorder care through clinical services, education, and scientific research.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network is a U.S. network focused on raising the standard of care and improving access to services for children, families and communities affected by trauma.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.
Autism Resources
Autism Speaks: Medication Decision Aid Toolkit
This toolkit from Autism Speaks helps families navigate the process of evaluating and choosing medication as part of an autism treatment plan. It includes practical worksheets and questions to support collaborative discussions with healthcare providers.
CDC Act Early Resources
The CDC Act Early Resources are part of a public-health campaign that offers free resources to help track children’s developmental milestones from birth to age 5, and encourages early intervention if delays are suspected.
AACAP Autism Resource Center
The AACAP Autism Resource Center offers family-friendly and youth-friendly information about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including what it is, how it’s assessed, treatment options, questions parents ask, and how to find help.
AFIRM Modules
The AFIRM Modules are an online repository of training modules and resources designed to help practitioners implement evidence-based practices for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ages birth-22).
National Autism Center: National Standards Project
This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting evidence-based practices for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and supporting families, practitioners, and policymakers through research and resources.
Where to Get an Autism Evaluation (ADOS-2)
- CHOP
- Delaware Nemours Children’s Health: Swank Autism Center
- Cooper University Health Care Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities *Located in New Jersey
- Rutgers: Adult Autism
Intellectual Disabilities Resources
Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS)
The DDDs is a Delaware state agency that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing services and resources to help them live fulfilling lives in their communities.
AACAP: Intellectual Disabilities Resource
This is a fact sheet explaining what an intellectual disability is (diagnosed before age 18, involving both intellectual functioning and everyday skills), why early and comprehensive evaluation is important, and how children with intellectual disabilities can still learn and grow and live in the community.
American Association on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
The AAIDD is a professional association dedicated to promoting “progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights” for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Arc of Delaware
The Arc of Delaware is a statewide nonprofit organization in Delaware dedicated to advocating for and serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.
The Arc of New Jersey
The Arc of New Jersey is the state’s largest nonprofit advocacy and service organization for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families, providing support, education, and connection to resources throughout New Jersey.
The Arc of Pennsylvania
The Arc of Pennsylvania is a statewide advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), working through a network of local chapters to promote inclusion, human rights, and community participation.
Trauma Resources
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
The National Traumatic Stress Network is a U.S. network dedicated to raising the standard of care and improving access to services for children, families, and communities affected by trauma. They provide free clinician toolkits, TF-CBT training, and family education.
SAMHSA Trauma & Violence Resources: Child Trauma
This resource page explains how children can be affected by traumatic events, outlines signs of traumatic stress, and offers guidance and resources for caregivers, educators and professionals supporting children who’ve experienced trauma.
Sidran Institute Traumatic Stress
The Traumatic Stress Institute helps organizations become trauma‑informed by providing system-wide consultation, professional training (including their flagship Risking Connection® program), and tools to measure outcomes. They emphasize equity, healing, and relationship-based approaches to support individuals and communities affected by trauma.
Family Support Resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Family-to-Family
It’s a free, 8‑session educational course for family members, significant others and friends of people living with mental health conditions. Taught by trained family members with lived experience, the course offers information, discussions and interactive exercises to help families support their loved one, cope better, and build their own self‑care and advocacy capacity.
Peter’s Place
Peter’s Place is a nonprofit based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, dedicated to supporting children, teens, and families who are grieving the death of a significant person in their lives. Their services include free peer support groups (for children & caregivers), school‑based group programs, virtual adult grief programs (“Ryan’s Hope”), and a rich suite of online grief resources.
Adult Resources
Noelle’s Light
Noelle’s Light empowers and supports families facing a life‑threatening fetal or congenital diagnosis by offering financial relief, emotional support, and comfort resources like Hope Boxes.
Prevention Point
Prevention Point Philadelphia provides harm‑reduction, health, and social services for people experiencing substance use and homelessness, including HIV/HCV testing, wound care, and a drop‑in center. They also operate syringe services and connect individuals to broader medical and social support resources.
Point of Pride
Point of Pride is a trans‑led nonprofit that provides financial aid and direct support to transgender and gender‑diverse people seeking gender‑affirming healthcare and wellness resources. Their programs include grants for surgeries, access to hormone therapy, electrolysis/hair removal support, and free chest binders and femme shapewear for those who cannot afford them.
Carousel Connection
This is a Philadelphia‑area organization that provides tailored services for adults with disabilities, helping them develop life and employment skills, engage socially, and lead fuller community lives.