Resources
All of us need help sometimes, so I put together a variety of helpful resources for you.
Suicide and Crisis Hotline
Call or text 988
https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/
Text 741741
Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States – 24/7, free, confidential. Crisis Text Line is here for you. A live, trained volunteer Crisis Counselor will receive your text and respond with care and compassion. They’re here to listen, support you, and help you move from a hot moment to a cool calm.
Trevor Lifeline
Call 1 (866) 488-7386
The Trevor Project’s free and confidential phone support for LGBTQ youth is available 24/7.
RAINN – Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
Call 800-656-HOPE
Text HOPE to 64673
As the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization and operator of the National Sexual Assault Hotline, RAINN’s mission is to stop sexual violence by supporting survivors, holding perpetrators accountable, and creating safer communities.
Have you or someone you love been sexually assaulted or abused? You are not alone. Contact RAINN 24/7 to connect with a real, live person who’s trained to help.
Human Trafficking Hotline – 888-373-7888
Human trafficking occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Force, fraud, or coercion need not be present if the individual engaging in commercial sex is under 18 years of age.
https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/get-help
Religious Trauma Network
Email: info@religioustraumanetwork.com
“The Religious Trauma Network’s mission is to offer comprehensive information, resources, and support for individuals recovering from religious trauma while raising awareness and equipping professionals and organizations to create safe, trauma-responsive spaces inside their faith or healing communities.”
https://www.religioustraumanetwork.com/
Domestic Violence Hotline
Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text START to 88788
“24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.
Contacts to The Hotline can expect highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages.”
Free Bullying Resources
Text CONNECT to 741741 if you need free, confidential, 24/7 mental health support.
https://www.crisistextline.org/topics/bullying/
Bullying is no joke. And, if you’re dealing with it, you deserve help. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Stop Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it
Online Harassment Field Manual
“In the online world, it can sometimes be harder to understand what harassment and abuse can look like. This guide contains basic explanations of the most common types of online abuse, who is most affected by them, and the impacts they can have on those harmed.”
https://onlineharassmentfieldmanual.pen.org/
- Heartmob Online Harassment Resources(link is external): HeartMob is a community dedicated to helping those experiencing online harassment.
- Heartmob Technical Safety Guide(link is external): This guide will walk you through the immediate steps to take to feel safe and give you information to make informed decisions.
- Heartmob Social Media Safety Guides(link is external): Social Media Safety Guides for Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Tumblr, and Youtube – every guide gives user-friendly information on how to use each platforms’ reporting and privacy tools.
https://righttobe.org/guides/online-harassment-resources/
Right To Be
Phone: (347) 889-5510
Email: hello@righttobe.org
“Every day, we train hundreds of people to respond to, intervene in, and heal from harassment. We hold space for people experiencing harassment to share their stories for affirmation and support. And we prepare new leaders to create workplaces, schools, and communities around the world that are filled with humanity.”
Books:
So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed
Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies
HumanDHS is primarily grounded in academic work. We are independent of any religious or political agenda. However, we wish to bring academic work into “real life.” Our research focuses on topics such as dignity (with humiliation as its violation), or, more precisely, on respect for equal dignity for all human beings in the world. This is not only our research topic, but also our core value, in line with Article 1 of the Human Rights Declaration that states that every human being is born with equal dignity (that ought not be humiliated).
https://www.humiliationstudies.org/whoweare/annualmeeting/44.html
Public Humiliation, Shaming, & Punishment Culture
Text CONNECT to 741741 if you need free, confidential, 24/7 mental health support.
Public humiliation, also known as shaming, is a practice that involves publicly exposing an individual’s crime or social infraction with the intention of degrading or humiliating them before a crowd, either in person or through digital platforms. This method of punishment has a long history and has been used across cultures as a means to address wrongdoing, enforce social norms, and deter future offenses. Historically, public humiliations could involve physical penalties or ritualistic displays, such as processions and public trials, while today, many instances occur online, leveraging social media’s vast reach to shame individuals instantly and broadly.
The emotional consequences of public humiliation can be severe, potentially leading to long-lasting effects such as anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. Cultural nuances influence the impact of such punishments; in some societies, the stigma may extend beyond the individual to their family or community for generations. While public shaming can serve as a tool for accountability—especially against powerful figures—critics argue that it often lacks due process and can have devastating personal repercussions.
https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/law/public-humiliation-shaming#public-humiliation-shaming
Cult Recovery 101 – “Provides resources, news, and links for those leaving abusive groups.
Phone – (215) 467-4939
Email – cultintervention@gmail.com
Our associates are consultants, psychotherapists, and counselors, many of whom themselves are former cultists or have been exposed to destructive cults or other coercive influence techniques. They have specialized training and/or experience working with people who may have been harmed by individuals and groups. Cult Recovery assists group members and their families make the sometimes difficult transition from coercion to renewed individual choice.”
Dr. Steven Hassan – America’s Leading Cult Expert
Phone (617) 396-4638
Email – center@freedomofmind.com.
“With his extensive knowledge, compassionate approach, and unwavering commitment to promoting freedom of thought and autonomy, Dr. Steven Hassan has become a respected figure in the field of cult awareness and recovery. His dedication to helping individuals break free from the grip of manipulation and regain their independence is a testament to his unwavering resolve to make a positive impact on the lives of others.”
International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
Email – hello@internationalculticstudies.org
Offers information, support groups, and annual workshops for former members.
“The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) advances research and open dialogue on psychological manipulation and cultic influence, providing education, support, and collaboration for survivors, families, and professionals. We strive to empower individuals and communities through knowledge, critical discourse, and global engagement to create safer societies and stronger protections.”
https://internationalculticstudies.org/
People Leave Cults
https://www.peopleleavecults.com/contact
“Current and former members of cults and coercive groups share a fundamental need for resources and education catered to their circumstances. This is best provided through individuals already present in their lives, which is why PLC works with the family and friends of cult-involved individuals who seek to help their loved one.”
People Leave Cults provides accessible low cost services for survivors. Every purchase helps us continue to provide education, resources, and hope for survivors and families impacted by coercive control and cults.
Immediate mental health support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 in the US and Canada to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For immediate life-threatening emergencies, call 911. Other key resources include the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) for treatment referrals and NAMI (text “NAMI” to 62640) for support.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available in English/Spanish).
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741.
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1, or text 838255.
- Disaster Distress Helpline1-800-985-5990.
- Child-Help USA: 1-800-422-4453 (abuse support).
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (.gov) +4
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – Confidential, free, 24/7 information service for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
- FindTreatment.gov: A confidential online tool to find treatment facilities in the U.S..
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Offers information, support groups, and a helpline (800-950-6264).
- Mental Health America (MHA): Provides resources on mental health conditions, screening tools, and finding help.
- HelpGuide.org: A trusted resource for evidence-based mental health information.
Specific Resources
- Adolescent Mental Health: Resources for children and teens, including Boys Town (1-800-448-3000).
- Local Mental Health Authorities: Many states, such as Texas, have local mental health authorities that provide crisis services.
HHS Office of Population Affairs (.gov) +3
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a foundational document adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, outlining 30 fundamental rights and freedoms that belong to all people globally. It was created to prevent the recurrence of atrocities committed during World War II, establishing a common standard of dignity.
- Fundamental Freedoms: Right to life, liberty, and security; freedom from slavery and torture.
- Legal Protections: Equality before the law, fair trial, and presumption of innocence.
- Personal Rights: Privacy, freedom of movement, right to a nationality, and the right to marry.
- Civil Liberties: Freedom of thought, conscience, religion, expression, and peaceful assembly.
- Social & Economic Rights: Right to work, fair wages, education, social security, and an adequate standard of health.
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/universal-declaration-of-human-rights/