Everyone needs help. That is the bottom line. Every single person on this Earth needs help at some point in their lives. It’s normal to occasionally feel like this life is too much to bear on your own. There’s no shame in wanting to get help. On the other hand, having these feelings and thoughts and not trying to seek help is, at best, counterproductive; especially considering all of the options available to you via the internet. There are several safe and confidential ways to seek aid for the sake of your mental health through the wild, wide web. What’s  important to understand is that all of the websites I am going to be sharing with you have licensed therapists that really know what they’re doing.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, I would recommend calling a Crisis Hotline. Some of the best options include The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline , SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) , and MentalHelp.net (An American Addiction Centers Resource) . These organizations can help alleviate the irrationality and lies that accompany anxiety and depression. Their agents can also refer you to other resources that could be of assistance to you during this time of need.

Depending on your current situation, some hotlines might be better than others. For example, there are lines out there for addicts, those with suicidal thoughts, victims of rape, and even veterans. No matter what your problem is, there is someone out there you can talk to.

BetterHelp.com offers online counseling at a reasonable price with access to experienced and licensed professionals. This program has over 3,800 therapists at your disposal for as low as $35 a week. This may seem pricey, but normal therapy sessions that last 50 minutes are $70-$90, so this really is a steal. A neat feature of this website is that it has a complimentary app, so you can literally text your therapist. This website also offers communication with the therapist via email, voice chat, or video chat. If you are uneasy about online therapy, check out the website’s video testimonials that offer insight into how helpful and life-changing this process can be.

Regain is a popular online therapy program that has 1,000 professionals available to you for $45 a week with an E-Counseling.com rating of 9.1/10. This site is a little different because it offers both individual and couples counseling for relationship problems. Foundational issues in relationships are all too common, so this website can help you and your partner analyze the core root of your problems with the ease of a button press.

Another excellent online therapy site is Talkspace , which offers more than 3,000 licensed professionals that you can talk to via text, email, or video chat. Talkspace is a place for teens struggling with depression, anxiety, being a member of the LGBT community, or their experiences as a veteran. This website offers a safe space for teens to talk about and process their emotions and burdens in a healthy way.

Information for this article was found on E-Counseling.com , which categorizes and organizes the most popular online therapy services. These listings include average weekly costs, number of therapists available, key features, and ratings. This is a great site to evaluate all of the online counseling options in the most efficient and effective way possible. There are a plethora of online therapy services out there that can seem overwhelming, but this site helps sort through all of the sites that aren’t worth your time.

Needing help is nothing to be ashamed of, but refusing to get help is. There are so many resources for you to find the help you need. Do not give up. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope this article can act as your guide on this journey of self-discovery and self-improvement.