Mental Health Support for Families, Caregivers in the United States
[Updated for Summer 2025] Families and caregivers often need support when they’re helping a youth through mental health issues. And the same therapist who is working with their adolescent or older child could be a good starting point. But there are also other sources of information, and those are the focus of this article.
Below is Menderist’s list of well-known American mental health organizations that provide support to parents and caregivers of adolescents, teens, or young adults struggling with mental health. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals frequently recommend these organizations.
Note: Separate articles address 12 Step and alternative programs and how to find a mental health therapist. Also, American families and caregivers may want to read the article on Canadian resources (which include courses and fact sheets) since some of these may be helpful.
American Psychological Association
“APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 157,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members.”
The APA provides a search to find a psychologist.
The APA is an association for psychology professionals, and doesn’t run family support groups; however, it has a wide range of helpful information:
Guides and Information Sheets
Helping Teens Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safely is the subject of a new information sheet from the APA. The guide provides guidance on how parents can help teens use AI in a way that maximizes benefits … and avoids pitfalls.
Establishing healthy video viewing habits for teens is the subject of a new guide from the APA. You can download the guide at the website.
Videos
The APA’s YouTube channel contains informative videos designed to “help parents and caregivers navigate common challenges”: see the parent and caregiver section. An example of a video at the site is: tips for helping teens stop comparing themselves to others on social media.
Podcasts
The APA’s podcast, ‘Speaking of Psychology’, is available on YouTube and through phone apps. New episodes are released regularly and cover of many topics, including:
- How mothers can help their daughters to build a healthy body image was the subject of a May 2025 episode
- Friendship: How To Help Kids Navigate Friendship: A 2024 episode about friendship features clinical psychologist Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore PhD. (creator of the podcast “Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic”)
- Eating Disorders: The May 3, 2023 episode with Cheri Levinson deals with eating disorders.
A note about podcast transcripts: if the transcript for an episode isn’t displaying in YouTube, you may be able to access it by (if available) listening to an episode as a podcast instead. For example, the APA’s podcast is also broadcast through Apple’s podcast app, and the transcript provided is a convenient way to find out about additional resources (e.g. for eating disorders, Project Heal; the National Eating Disorder Association).
Local Psychology Organization, by State:
Besides the American Psychological Association (APA, above), a way to find a psychologist is often through state organizations. For example, you could look up ‘Florida Psychological Association,’ then look up specific information by region and specialty. And some state organizations also offer a search for a particular therapy delivery method: for example, by telecounseling.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
The AACAP is a non-government, non-profit professional organization for child and adolescent psychiatry. Its website describes the academy as: “the leading national medical association dedicated to treating families affected by childhood and adolescent mental illnesses.”
Families and caregivers can check the academy website for information about finding a child & adolescent psychiatrist.
AACCAP also offers a range of information for families/youth on such topics as anxiety disorders; tips about using screen media; and ADHD. This information is available through Resource Centers, including:
Note: AACAP’s Resource Centres frequently provide additional information, but the location of this information may vary. For instance, the Depression Resource Centre page places a list of more information in the leftmost column (indented under the heading, Depression) – whereas in other Resource Centres, resources are displayed at the bottom of the page.
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
SAMHSA is a U.S. government agency that is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its website notes the agency’s goal is “to make substance use and mental disorder information, services, and research more accessible.”
General information about finding support is available at SAMHSA.
For information on support groups and local programs, consult the website page about Support Group or Local Program.
For information to help parents/caregivers with possible mental health issues experienced by a family member, see:
- Coping – Signs of Needing Help
- Conversations – Tips for Parents and Caregivers
Campaigns and Publications
Reducing underage drinking and other substance use was the subject of a recent SAMHSA campaign. The campaign’s goal was to provide information to parents and caregivers of youths under 21 years of age. SAMHSA’s website offers resources on substance use, such as advice on talking with children and young adults about substance abuse.
Talking with youth about technology, social media, and video games: a recent SAMHSA publication offers guidance to help parents and guardians discuss responsible technology use with teens and tweens. The tips are for those whose children are already engaged with technology and digital media.
National Association for Mental Illness
NAMI is a national “Grassroots mental health organization” that provides support and education for those affected by mental illness in the United States. Consult the website to Find Your Local NAMI organization and affiliates across the U.S.
Among the resources available from the organization is a guide co-authored by NAMI, designed to help parents and college-aged students address the subject of mental health.
Other NAMI Resources
- Mental health help on campus – NAMI continues to establish more chapters of student-led / student-run mental health clubs on high school and college campuses. Schools that recently received more mental health resources include the University of South Florida and the University of Texas at San Antonio. NAMI’s website lists the location of these high school and college clubs.
- Podcasts – Living with anxiety and thriving as young adults was the subject of a recent episode of NAMI’s ‘Hope Starts With Us’ podcast. The association regularly releases new episodes on different topics.
Child Mind Institute
Child Mind is a non-profit organization based in the United States that focuses on “gold-standard, evidence-based care”, education, and providing resources to families. The institute offers courses and therapy for a fee: it also works to develop treatments that lead to major advances in the field.
Here are some Child Mind resources for adults who are helping a youth through mental health issues:
Topics and articles – subjects of CMI articles include: understanding the different types of mental health professionals; and Topic Pages about different mental health concerns, such as Anxiety and Depression.
College readiness resources – these are materials designed to help college-age kids prepare for college, and to find needed support. And a toolkit is available that’s designed mainly for students, but which also has a section for parents. Parent tips include what to do if your child is having a conflict with a roommate, and how to support your child from afar.
Teen mental health journalling app – In January 2025 the institute released Mirror, a mental health journaling app for U.S. teens (only). More information about the app is available at the website.
Resource hub for teens and young adults – A new resource hub is available for teens and young adults who are dealing with mental health challenges. The hub, called You are Okay , offers mental health tools, support, and information.
Online community – In June 2024, Child Mind and 14 other youth wellness organizations – including Common Sense Media; a center at Sesame Workshop; and Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence – launched DigitalParenthood.com, which is described as “a free online community designed to support and empower families by providing easy access to tools, resources and expertise as parents navigate the challenges and opportunities of raising a connected generation.”
Courses – Child Mind offers courses for a fee, including several designed for caregivers, including parents and other adults. For a course list, see the ‘Caregivers’ section.
Inspiring mental health stories from public figures – a recent fundraising campaign, Dare to Share, contains over 20 personal videos about youth mental health. Contributors include the musician Pink, actress Keke Palmer, and many others.
Recovery Research Institute
As noted on its website, “The Recovery Research Institute is a leading non-profit research institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital, dedicated to the advancement of addiction treatment and recovery.”
The institute promotes resources for family members via its website including information about finding treatment; the stages of coping, and a series of infographic guides.
Note: for information about specific help for family / caregivers of someone in a 12-step or other substance use disorder program, see the resources mentioned in Family Mental Health Support from 12 Step & other Substance Disorder Programs. Many of these resources are equally available to both Americans and Canadians.
HELP DURING A CRISIS
Crisis lines provide immediate help to anyone – adults or youths – in serious distress:
988 is the number to call or text in Canada and the U.S. Those living in the U.S. can also chat via 988lifeline.org.
