What Is Mental Health?
Mental health is a state of mind characterized by emotional well-being, good behavioral adjustment, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms, and a capacity to establish constructive relationships and cope with the ordinary demands and stresses of life (American Psychological Association, 2022). Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Crisis Hotlines
- National Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Need to Talk to Someone?
- Crisis Hotlines and Resources
- Psychologist Referral Search
- Mental Health Resources for Underrepresented Communities
- SAMHSA – Find treatment
- Melanin and Mental Health
Educational Resources
- NEA Student and Educator Mental Health
- American Psychological Association Resources
- Strength Over Silence
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Ending the Silence
Resources & Information
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- National Center for School Mental Health
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Mental Health America’s Resources Hub in Spanish
- Mental Health America’s: 2023 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit
State Agencies that Provide Mental Health Services
- Illinois Department of Human Services
- Illinois Mental Health Collaborative
- Illinois State Board of Education
Member Training
- Contact the IEA Teaching and Learning Department for more information about available trainings.
- Mental Health First Aid
