Resources
Some of the articles posted here on The Mental Well discuss living with mental illness and/or substance use disorder. If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health issue including substance use, abuse or disorder, know that you are not alone. According to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 48.4 American adults (aged 12 and older) experienced a substance use disorder in 2024. Additionally, data reported by NAMI shows that more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults, experienced a mental illness in 2024.
While asking for help can feel scary, speaking to someone about your mental health can be both a validating and empowering experience.
On this page you will find local Baltimore resources as well as leading national ones. If you are local to Baltimore, Jewish Community Services offers mental health counseling, therapy, and psychiatry, as well as support for individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. To learn more, visit their website.
JCS
Jewish Community Services
JCS, a comprehensive non-profit human service agency of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, provides a broad range of services to meet the multi-dimensional needs of individuals and families throughout Central Maryland. They offer services to help you enhance your emotional health, succeed in your career, care for loved ones, and overcome life’s challenges. JCS is dedicated to helping you achieve your highest quality of life and well-being.
Out of Stigma’s Shadow
Podcast Series
Hear from young people talking openly and honestly about their struggles with mental health.
This 12-episode podcast series, produced by Aaron Henkin, is part of Out of Stigma’s Shadow, an ongoing partnership of Jewish Community Services, Catholic Charities, Medstar Health, NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore, and Behavioral Health System Baltimore to combat barriers to seeking behavioral healthcare by raising awareness, increasing visibility, and ending stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorders.
All episodes are now available. Listen at outofstigmasshadow.podbean.com, Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hooked: Personal Stories of Addiction
Podcast
From ZMB Media and Jewish Community Services, this is Hooked, stories of loss, love, and most importantly, hope as told by recovering drug addicts, family members, friends, and medical professionals. All voices that you hear are individuals who volunteered to share their experiences with us and are not clients of The Associated.
988
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Lifeline offers free, confidential support 24/7 for anyone experiencing emotional distress, mental health or substance use challenges, or thoughts of suicide.
Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org—whether you need help yourself or are worried about a loved one. You’ll be connected to a caring, trained counselor anywhere in the U.S.
💛 You don’t have to be in crisis to reach out—you’re not alone.
CHANA
CHANA offers a Jewish response to the needs of people who experience abuse in Northwest Baltimore City and County:
Physical
Psychological
Sexual
Financial
Spiritual
CHANA provides crisis intervention, education and consultation, and advocates for community awareness, safety and healing. With your help, we envision an aware and responsive community where all individuals are empowered to live with security and self-determination.
Mental Health.gov
MentalHealth.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. government mental health and mental health problems information. MentalHealth.gov aims to educate and guide the general public, emergency professionals, policy makers, and government leaders, school systems, and local communities.
NAMI
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Metropolitan Baltimore
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
One Love Foundation
Love is the most important thing in our lives, yet we are taught very little about it. One Love is on a mission to change that. We educate young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships, empowering them to identify and avoid abuse and learn how to love better.
SAMHSA
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families.