Mental Health
Mental health is part of everyone’s health, including disabled people. Whether you have a psychiatric disability, experience mental health challenges alongside other disabilities, or simply want to maintain your wellbeing, this page provides resources and perspectives.
This page centers the expertise of people with lived experience of mental health conditions and psychiatric disabilities.
Understanding Mental Health and Disability
Mental Health Conditions as Disabilities
Mental health conditions can be disabilities when they significantly impact daily life. This includes:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders
- PTSD and complex trauma
- OCD
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Dissociative disorders
- Substance use disorders
- And many others
These conditions are protected under disability rights laws and may qualify for accommodations, benefits, and services.
Different Frameworks
People understand mental health differently:
Medical model: Views mental health conditions as illnesses to be treated and cured.
Social model: Recognizes that society creates barriers for people with mental health differences.
Recovery model: Emphasizes personal growth and meaningful life, not necessarily symptom elimination.
Mad pride/survivor perspective: Reclaims “madness” as part of human diversity; critiques coercive psychiatry.
Neurodiversity framework: Views some conditions (like some aspects of depression, anxiety, etc.) as part of natural human variation.
These frameworks aren’t mutually exclusive. You can use what works for you.
Finding Care
Types of Providers
Psychiatrists: Medical doctors who can prescribe medication and provide therapy. Often focused on medication management.
Psychologists: Doctoral-level providers who specialize in therapy and assessment. Can’t prescribe in most states/countries.
Therapists/Counselors: Master’s-level providers (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, etc.) who provide talk therapy. Most affordable option often.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners: Can prescribe medications in many places. Often more accessible than psychiatrists.
Peer support specialists: People with lived experience who provide support. Increasingly available through mental health systems.
Primary care: Many PCPs prescribe psychiatric medications and can be a starting point.
Finding the Right Provider
Questions to consider:
- Do they have experience with your specific concerns?
- What therapy approaches do they use?
- Are they disability-competent (for multiple disabilities)?
- Are they affirming (for LGBTQ+ people, POC, etc.)?
- Is their practice accessible?
- Do they accept your insurance?
Where to look:
- Insurance directories
- Psychology Today therapist finder
- Community mental health centers
- Sliding scale providers
- University training clinics
- LGBTQ+ centers
- Disability organizations
- Recommendations from peers
Accessing Care Without Insurance
Options if you lack insurance or can’t afford copays:
- Community mental health centers
- Federally Qualified Health Centers
- Sliding scale private practices
- Training clinics at universities
- Online therapy platforms (some offer sliding scale)
- Peer support (free)
- Support groups (free)
- Crisis lines (free)
Treatment Options
Therapy
Many types of therapy exist. Common approaches:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on thoughts and behaviors. Evidence for depression, anxiety, many conditions.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Skills-based approach for emotion regulation. Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, now used more broadly.
EMDR: Processing-based therapy for trauma.
Psychodynamic therapy: Explores past patterns and relationships.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Focuses on values and acceptance.
Somatic therapies: Body-based approaches for trauma and other conditions.
No single approach works for everyone. It’s okay to try different therapists and approaches.
Medication
Psychiatric medications can help many people. Common categories:
Antidepressants: SSRIs, SNRIs, others. Used for depression, anxiety, and other conditions.
Anti-anxiety medications: Benzodiazepines (short-term), buspirone, others.
Mood stabilizers: Lithium, anticonvulsants. For bipolar and mood instability.
Antipsychotics: For psychosis, bipolar, sometimes depression or anxiety.
Stimulants: For ADHD primarily.
Sleep medications: For insomnia.
What to Know About Medications
- Finding the right medication often takes trial and error
- Side effects vary—discuss with your prescriber
- Don’t stop medications suddenly without guidance
- You have the right to informed consent
- Medication decisions are yours to make (except in rare involuntary situations)
- Medication isn’t required—you can choose other approaches
Peer Support
Support from people with lived experience:
- Peer support specialists in clinical settings
- Support groups (in-person and online)
- Warm lines (peer-run phone support)
- Recovery communities
- Online communities
Self-Help and Wellness
Tools that help many people:
- Exercise and movement
- Sleep hygiene
- Nutrition
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Journaling
- Creative expression
- Social connection
- Nature and outdoors
- Apps and digital tools
- Routine and structure
These aren’t replacements for professional care when needed, but can be important parts of overall wellness.
Crisis Support
If You’re in Crisis
In immediate danger: Call emergency services (911, 999, 000)
Crisis lines (US):
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
- Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth): 1-866-488-7386
Crisis lines (other countries):
- UK: Samaritans 116 123
- Canada: 988 (in many provinces); Crisis Services Canada 1-833-456-4566
- Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14
- International: Find lines at findahelpline.com
Warm lines: Non-crisis peer support lines for when you need to talk but aren’t in crisis.
Planning for Crisis
If you experience recurring crises:
- Create a crisis plan when you’re stable
- Identify warning signs
- List what helps
- Note who to contact
- Decide about hospitalization preferences
- Share plan with supporters
- Consider a psychiatric advance directive
Psychiatric Advance Directives
What They Are
Psychiatric advance directives (PADs) let you document your treatment preferences in advance, for times when you might not be able to communicate them.
What They Cover
- Treatment preferences (medications, therapies)
- Treatments you refuse
- Hospital preferences
- Who should be contacted
- Who should make decisions if you can’t
- Instructions for your care
Why They Matter
- Give you control over your care
- Help ensure your wishes are followed
- Reduce unwanted treatment
- Improve communication with providers
How to Create One
- Research your state/country’s laws
- Find templates or guidance
- Work with a provider or advocate if needed
- Get it properly signed/witnessed
- Share with your treatment team, family, and hospital
Rights in Mental Health Treatment
General Rights
You have the right to:
- Informed consent (know what treatment involves)
- Refuse treatment (with limited exceptions)
- Confidentiality
- Access your records
- Dignity and respect
- Non-discriminatory treatment
Involuntary Treatment
In most places, involuntary treatment is only legal when:
- You’re deemed a danger to yourself or others
- Specific legal procedures are followed
- A court or designated authority approves
Your rights during involuntary treatment:
- Typically the right to legal representation
- The right to a hearing
- Time limits on holds
- Right to appeal
- Rights during hospitalization
If you’ve been treated involuntarily:
- You may be able to file complaints
- Legal advocacy organizations can help
- Document your experience
The Mad Pride/Psychiatric Survivor Perspective
Many people with psychiatric disabilities critique:
- Coercive treatment practices
- Lack of consent in psychiatry
- Overreliance on medication
- Paternalistic approaches
- Human rights violations in psychiatric settings
Organizations like MindFreedom International, National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery, and others advocate for alternatives to coercive psychiatry.
Mental Health and Other Disabilities
Disability Can Affect Mental Health
Living with disability in an ableist world affects mental health:
- Discrimination and barriers cause stress
- Chronic pain and illness affect mood
- Isolation impacts wellbeing
- Medical trauma is common
- Grief over lost function is real
Mental Health Care Should Be Disability-Competent
Unfortunately, many mental health providers:
- Attribute everything to disability
- Don’t understand disability experience
- Have inaccessible practices
- Lack knowledge of specific conditions
Look for providers who:
- Understand disability and ableism
- Have accessible practices
- Don’t pathologize disability itself
- Recognize you’re an expert on your life
Medications and Other Conditions
If you have multiple conditions:
- Discuss drug interactions
- Monitor for medication effects on other conditions
- Coordinate care between providers
- Advocate for integrated treatment
Intersectionality
BIPOC and Mental Health
People of color experience:
- Racism affecting mental health
- Barriers to culturally competent care
- Over-pathologizing of cultural differences
- Under-treatment of actual mental health needs
- Police response to mental health crises (dangerous)
Finding support: Culturally specific mental health services, BIPOC therapist directories, community-based support
LGBTQ+ and Mental Health
LGBTQ+ people experience:
- Higher rates of mental health challenges (due to discrimination, not identity)
- Need for affirming care
- Specific stressors (coming out, discrimination, family rejection)
- Conversion therapy trauma
Finding support: LGBTQ+ competent therapists, LGBTQ+ centers, specific resources like The Trevor Project
Poverty and Mental Health
Low-income people face:
- Less access to care
- Poverty itself causes mental health strain
- Can’t take time off for treatment
- May lose benefits if “recovered”
Trauma and Mental Health
Many people have trauma histories:
- Trauma-informed care is essential
- Specific trauma therapies (EMDR, CPT, prolonged exposure) can help
- Peer support from trauma survivors
- Not all mental health issues are trauma-related
Scenarios: Finding What You Need
“I can’t afford therapy”
Look into community mental health centers (income-based fees), university training clinics, sliding scale providers, online platforms with reduced rates, and support groups (free). Some therapists offer reduced rates if you ask.
“I’ve had bad experiences with mental health treatment”
This is common and valid. Consider peer support, finding providers recommended by others with lived experience, looking for trauma-informed providers, and being clear about what didn’t work before.
“My mental health affects my ability to work”
You may qualify for accommodations (see Workplace Accommodations page) or disability benefits if unable to work. Mental health conditions are disabilities under the law.
“I want to reduce or stop medication”
This is your choice. Don’t stop suddenly—work with a provider on tapering. Some people do well without medication; others need it long-term. There’s no shame either way.
“I’m worried about a loved one”
You can’t force someone into treatment (except in very limited legal circumstances). Focus on connection, offer resources, reduce judgment. Crisis lines can also support people concerned about others.
Resources
Crisis Support
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (US): Call or text 988
- Crisis Text Line (US): Text HOME to 741741
- International Association for Suicide Prevention: List of crisis centers worldwide at iasp.info
Peer Support
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): nami.org (support groups, education)
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): dbsalliance.org
- Hearing Voices Network: hearingvoicesusa.org
- Warm Lines: Search for peer-run warm lines in your area
Advocacy
- MindFreedom International: mindfreedom.org (human rights in mental health)
- National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery: ncmhr.org
- Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: bazelon.org
Finding Providers
Contribute to This Page
Do you have lived experience with mental health conditions? Have resources or perspectives to share?
Share your knowledge: Contribution Form
We especially welcome:
- Lived experience perspectives
- Resources for specific communities
- Country-specific information
- Strategies that helped you
This page centers the expertise of people with lived experience of mental health conditions. Your mental health matters, and you deserve support that respects your autonomy and dignity.
Last updated: November 2025