Free Resources

Greater Los Angeles Area

Emergency Resources

There will be times when you have exhausted all available resources and coping strategies. When you need urgent support that cannot wait for your scheduled therapy appointment, there will be people who are ready to help.

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Lines For Life
National Suicide Lifeline
CA Youth Crisis Line
Trans Lifeline
Los Angeles Department of Mental Health Help Line
Crisis Hotlines and Resources List
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Options for Deaf and Hard of Hearing) For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
Project Sister Sexual Assault Hotline 909-626-4357
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio
Lifeline Chat and Text Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline (800) 656-4673
Create a Safety Plan

Emotional Support

Emotional support comes in many different forms, and is an important part of recovery. If you would like to attend a support group or need someone to listen, here are some resources in Los Angeles:

NAMI Los Angeles Mental Health Peer Support
NAMI Los Angeles Support for Families
Mental Health Warmline for Teens
The Trevor Project
National Eating Disorders Association Helpline
Los Angeles Alcoholics Anonymous
Los Angeles Narcotics Anonymous
NAMI Los Angeles Resources
Inland Empire LGBTQ Resource Guide
Project Sister
Zero Suicide
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Good Grief
Ele’s Place (resource for children who have lost someone to suicide)
National Child Trauma Network
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (resource for children who have lost a parent to suicide)
Therapy for Black Girls
Therapy for Black Men
Inclusive Therapist Finder

Have Fun

We usually consider life to be going well when we have more positive experiences than negative experiences. Like a bank account, we need to put in more than we take out to be stable. When we have a high amount of positive experiences and then have a setback, we’re more likely to bounce back quickly.

Summer Concerts on Hermosa Beach
Free Summer Concerts Guide
Los Angeles Free Concerts
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Pacific Marine Mammal Center
Marine Mammal Care Center
Griffith observatory
California Science Center
The Getty Villa
LA Museums and Botanical Gardens with Free Admission
Free tickets to LA Museums, Conservancies and Zoos through the Los Angeles Public Library
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Friday Nights Live Claremont Village (free music)

Get Outside

Being outside and seeing nature has been evidenced to help fight symptoms of anxiety and depression. Here are some ideas for nature and adventure in the Los Angeles area:

Los Angeles County Beaches
List of Hikes in LA (including 3 levels of difficulty and a list of waterfall hikes)
Best LA Hikes with Stunning Views
Top 25 Best Parks in LA
Parks in LA by address
Where to see Southern California Wildflowers
Descanso Gardens (free Tuesday tickets released the first day of every month)
Claremont Hills Loop Hike
Sycamore Canyon Trail in Claremont Hills Wilderness Park
Claremont Botanical Gardens Trail
Claremont Marshall Canyon Trail
Claremont Thompson Creek Trail
Wilson Park, Torrance
Runyon Canyon Hike in LA (Challenging)
Wilderness Park, Redondo Beach
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Potato Mountain Wilderness Trail (Claremont)
Los Angeles Dog Parks

Learn Something New

Taking classes and learning something new can engage our creative energies and shift our thoughts. Starting a new hobby also gives us another coping skill in our toolbox for when times are difficult.

Explore the surface of Mars in VR
Code.org Hour of Code
Code.org longer lessons
Virtual tours of the Louvre
Smithsonian Virtual Tours of Natural History Exhibits
National Marine Sanctuaries Virtual Dives
PBS Nova Polar Lab
PBS Nova Exoplanet Lab
PBS Nova Evolution Lab
PBS Nova Cybersecurity Lab
PBS Nova RNA Lab
PBS Nova Cloud Lab
PBS Nova Energy Lab
PBS Nova Sun Lab
Learn a new language through Duolingo
Take free online classes from Harvard University
Absolute Beginner Adult Ballet Series
40 Piano Lessons for Beginners
Playing Guitar for Beginners
Free drop in meditation at UCLA
Free activities at Claremont Library

Stay Active

Staying active is an important part of taking care of our bodies and our minds. Exercise or recreation can improve mood, and can give you an opportunity to meet people who share your interests.

Full List of LA Parks with Free Fitness Equipment
List of parks with free tennis courts in LA
Baldwin Hills Recreation Center (Sports Facilities and Fitness)
Become a Youth Coach/Referee (Claremont)
Volunteer at the Upland YMCA
Best Online Yoga Channels
POPSUGAR Workout Videos
Low-Impact Workout Channel
Dance Workout YouTube Channel

Get Creative

For many people, doing things that are artistic and creative is a core value. Part of being happy and increasing our well-being is being connected to our core values. If creativity is that for you, here are some options in LA.

Downtown LA Art Walk
The Getty Center (Art)
The Broad Museum (Art)
Craft Contemporary (art museum with workshops) (free on Sundays)
Benton Museum of Art (Pomona College)
CoachArt (volunteering)
11:11 A creative Collective
23 Projects Stimulate Your Creativity
Basic Crochet Video Series
Basic Knitting Video Series

Give Back

Giving back can be a powerful way to increase self-efficacy and self-confidence, especially if you are struggling with anxiety and/or depression. Here are some Los Angeles-area volunteer opportunities to check out:

Huerta De Valle Community Garden Volunteering
Uncommon Good, mission to stop intergenerational poverty
Claremont Meals on Wheels
List of LA Volunteering Opportunities
Heal the Bay Beach Cleanup
KEEN LA (coaching)
Project Angel Food
Humane Society
Yman (a mentoring and wellness program for Black and Brown LGBTQ+ teens)
PATH Los Angeles
Red Cross
Reading to Kids
Best LA Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteer LA Website (database of volunteer opportunities)
Pomona Valley Hospital volunteer program
IECF: Inland Empire Community Foundation
Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective
Big Brother Big Sister Mentor Program
Children Mending Hearts
Downtown Women’s Center

Free Eating Disorder Assessment

“Project HEAL provides free, impartial, culturally-competent, and compassionate 1-hour phone assessments to anyone in the U.S. who believes they (or their child) might have an eating disorder. They will receive comprehensive 8+ page document with diagnosis, treatment recommendation, and referrals. We will also offer enrollment to one of our other three programs if applicable.”

Acknowledgement:
This list was inspired by and adapted with permission from Dr. Lauren Wadsworth’s practice at the Genesee Valley Psychology.

Our team provides comprehensive DBT and other evidence-based treatments to help make positive changes in the lives of children, young adults, and their families.