Free Online
Free online help with mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping
Here are a number of services around the world which offer free online help with mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping. The person you are worried about might find it useful to use some of these resources, anonymously if they wish on many sites. But they will need an email address for these services. A Google search for free CBT will find many other services but may involve fees. Of course, there are many therapy services available.
By the way, CBT = Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, a highly researched therapy around for almost 50 years, effective against depression and thoughts of suicide.
Here are services we are aware of at the moment which are free at the time of writing:
Worldwide free online help for depression and anxiety
ThisWayUp
Offers 4 free CBT programmes (Insomnia, Stress, Student Wellbeing, and Mindfulness). Other courses (including one in Mandarin) can be purchased.
thiswayup.org.au/what-we-treatMental Health Online
Provides 7 free CBT programmes, evidence-based for depression, anxiety, panic, social anxiety, OCD and PTSD. The self-guided programs are available internationally to adults aged 18+.
mentalhealthonline.org.au/informationMindShift CBT
A Canadian-developed CBT app for anxiety. It provides structured CBT exercises, thought challenging, exposure tools, relaxation and other strategies. It is free to download.
anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-cbtMoodTools
Free, international. A free app developed with input from mental-health professionals that provides CBT-based tools for depression, including behavioural activation, thought monitoring and a safety plan.
moodtools.orgNIMHANS MindNotes
This is a free NIMHANS mental-health app covering depression, anxiety, self-help exercises, assessment and routes to professional help. Developed in India.
mindnotes.nimhans.ac.inOther services can be accessed by searching for free online CBT.
Services for Residents of Specific Countries
Australian Residents
moodgym
Offers free, expert-developed CBT for depression & anxiety. Anonymous access. Evidence-based mental health programs from moodgym. Free for all Australians.
moodgym.com.auMindSpot
Offers multiple programmes, and offers 4 sessions with a counsellor if desired.
mindspot.org.au/what-we-doCanadian Residents
BounceBack
A free evidence-based CBT programme from the Canadian Mental Health Association for low mood, mild/moderate depression, anxiety, stress and worry.
cmha.ca/bounce-backEnglish Residents
NHS Talking Therapies
Offer direct counselling and online CBT after you register.
Find NHS Talking TherapiesIrish Residents
HSE Digital Mental Health (SilverCloud)
The HSE offer a Supporter and access to the SilverCloud service when available.
HSE digital mental health programmes