RVA Resources to Help Care For Your Mental Health
The sun goes down around 5 pm (?!), and the shorter days and lack of vitamin D can make it rough out there. But no matter what season you’re in (literally or figuratively), there are support systems in place throughout Richmond. If you need a little extra boost, now or later, we’ve pulled together this roundup of resources (with the help of some of our readers, too!) — whenever you need it.
— by Kelsey Heintz, Managing Editor
NOTE: If you (or someone you know) needs urgent help, 988 is a nationwide mental health crisis and suicide prevention number you can text or call to connect with trained counselors who can assist.
Readers’ notes
“I work at [a local ER] and just wanted to remind everyone that if all else fails, or if you feel like you can’t do it on your own anymore, every ER in the city has mental health specialists on staff or on call. You’ll get a quick medical screening exam and then be able to talk to the mental health specialists to develop a personalized plan. This could be inpatient rehab, intensive outpatient programs, or just a big long list of resources in the area. This obviously isn’t a first-line strategy, but please remember that the local ER is a great safety net, and it doesn’t always end in admission to the psych ward!” — Abby F.
“Alchemy Wellness is a ketamine infusion clinic in Henrico that is doing wonderful things for patients struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, etc. Dr. Randy Frederick and the staff there are truly in it for the right reasons and offer great support including therapy alongside the ketamine infusions.” — Carleigh S.
From personal experience
Ellie Mental Health
As you *may* know, we collab with Ellie Mental Health, one of our Richmond 50 partners (who we selectively work with on an annual basis to highlight their offerings and help support their missions). The org is all about helping you find a therapist you can ~vibe~ with and destigmatizing the uncomfiness that may sometimes surround traditional talk seshes. As they put it, they’re there to “provide you with a comfortable place to talk, decompress, do the work, and heal.”
Getting Better Together: Postpartum Support Group for Moms
For you other moms out there, I’ve had great experience with VCU’s Postpartum Support resource and would highly recommend it. The DL straight from the source: “Our Getting Better Together Postpartum Support Group provides peer support for moms who may be experiencing depression or anxiety during their transition to motherhood. These support groups are facilitated by VCU Health and VCU team members. We encourage you to take this time for yourself. To protect the privacy of other group members, we ask that family and friends not attend the group. If possible, have someone else care for your children during our virtual group.”
Psychology Today: Therapists in Richmond
Or, if you’re not necessarily looking for pp-centric support, I’ve also found amazing local therapists through Psychology Today. You can search in your area and filter your results by Issues, Insurance, Gender, Types of Therapy, Age, Price, and More.
Other resources to keep in mind
AliveRVA: “A Peer Recovery and Resource Warm Line staffed by Peer Recovery Specialists, trained individuals with lived experience in substance use, behavioral health, trauma, and recovery.”
ChildSavers: “A nonprofit that provides children's mental health services and childcare resources.”
CKG Foundation: “A positive force that works to cultivate awareness and understanding of teenage depression and anxiety.”
Community 50/50: “A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing food, clothing, shelter, education, and mental health services.”
Foundation for Family & Community Healing: “Promotes and encourages awareness, engagement, and right action through knowledge and personal skill development.”
Holistic RVA: “A wellness practice created to strengthen the WHOLE young person, mentally and physically.”
Men to Heal: “A movement for MENtal HEALth and wellness for boys/MEN. These tools can assist in their families, school, work, and community.”
NAMI Central VA: “A nonprofit organization providing free educational programs and peer-led support groups for people living with mental illness and their loved ones in our community.”
Richmond Creative Counseling: “Providing innovative counseling, psychiatric, and dietetic services utilizing expressive therapies for individuals, couples, and families.”
Robin’s Hope: “Empowers individuals to thrive through a safe, peer-run community that provides connection, inspires hope, and promotes resilience.”
RVA Counseling: “Bringing together a team of motivated and engaged clinicians who are passionate about helping you on your journey towards personal growth and healing.”
The Reframed Mind: “Therapy for a new frame of mind.”
The Well Collective: “A space for conscious, community that offers multicultural, intergenerational wellness, equitable healing modalities, educational workshops, and an apothecary for our individual and collective well-being.”
Virginia Telemental Health Initiative: “A pilot program focused on meeting the mental health needs of Virginians who are medically underserved and cannot access care due to limited income, being un- or under-insured, and provider shortages. VTMHI expands access to timely and appropriate telemental health services by collaborating with Virginia’s free and charitable clinics and mental health providers who are in the process of meeting their licensure requirements.”
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