Resources
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National Crisis Line: Call or text 988 to reach the national crisis Lifeline 24/7
Crisis Text Line: Crisis support by a trained volunteer crisis counselor is available by texting HOME to 741-741
The Crisis Clinic of Thurston and Mason Counties: Anyone can access the crisis line 24/7 at 360-586-2800, and the Teen/Youth Help Line is also available 24/7 at 360-586-2777 and staffed by trained youth volunteers 4 pm — 8 pm, Monday — Friday
Lewis County Crisis Line: Crisis services through Great Rivers Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization are available for Lewis County residents 24/7 by calling 800-803-8833
Pierce County Crisis Line: Crisis services through Crisis Connections are available for Pierce County residents 24/7 by calling 866-427-4747
Washington Teen Link: Teens can get peer support from trained teenage volunteers 7 nights a week 6 pm — 10 pm by calling or texting 866-833-6546
Trevor Project crisis line: LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24 can access a 24/7 crisis line by calling 1-866-488-7386 or by texting START to 678-678
Trans Lifeline: Trans peer support is available Monday — Friday, 10 am — 6 pm by calling 877-565-8860. Please be aware that the hotline may be unavailable on holidays
Washington Warm Line: Confidential peer support help line for people living with emotional and mental health challenges, with calls answered by trained volunteers who have lived experience with mental health challenges. Available by calling 877-500-9276 Monday – Sunday, 2 pm – 9 pm
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General
Safe Place: Provides 24/7 advocacy, shelter, and support services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Thurston County and the surrounding area. The 24-hour HelpLine is available at (360) 754-6300
South Sound YMCA: Gyms, fitness classes, and youth programming at two locations in Olympia and one in Shelton. Sliding scale memberships available
Thurston County Food Bank: Operates community pantries, a farm stand, and banks of other resources such as hygiene supplies and pet food in Olympia and Lacey. Also provides support with accessing services such as SNAP
Family Support Center of South Sound: Provides homeless support, housing services, and domestic violence resources
Housing Authority of Thurston County: Provides support with affordable housing
Timberland Regional Library: Library services, clubs, events, and additional resources in many Washington counties, including Thurston, Mason, and Lewis
YWCA of Olympia: Provides social justice services, advocacy, and educational programming aimed at reducing oppression, particularly as related to sexism and racism in the local area
Olympia Little Theater: Affordable theater productions with local casts
PFLAG Olympia: Local chapter of the national LGBTQ+ support and advocacy group
Local parks and recreation departments: Provide community classes, events, park stewardship, and other programming
For children and youth
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington: One-on-one mentoring for youth by trained volunteers
Community Youth Services: Resources and programs for South Sound youth and their families, including behavioral health programs, early intervention programs, foster care support, housing support, youth shelters, and employment education
Olympia Family Theater: Family-friendly live stage productions, after-school classes, and day camps for kids of all ages. Provides a sliding scale of prices to ensure accessibility, and programming is LGBTQ-inclusive
Stonewall Youth: Youth-led programming for LGBTQ+ youth up to age 21, including peer support groups, drop-ins, arts programming, advocacy and mentorship, social events, summer camp, educational opportunities, work opportunities, and more
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Everything is awful and I’m not okay: List of practical questions to ask before giving up
https://depts.washington.edu/fammed/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Katers-selfcare_printable.pdf
To Write Love on Her Arms: non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide
The Free Mindfulness Project: Collection of free-to-download mindfulness and meditation exercises
Words to Sit With: Platform for sharing free mindfulness poetry
Sleep hygiene: Article from Harvard Medical School on practices to improve sleep
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/sleep-hygiene-simple-practices-for-better-rest
Apps
Finch: Free self-care app that helps you achieve your self-care goals by taking care of a little bird pet
Habitica: Free app that gamifies habits and productivity
Smiling Mind: Free mental wellbeing app that helps you develop a self-care routine
Better Sleep: Relax and Sleep: Free sleep app including meditation exercises and sleep sounds
Forest: Free focus timer app that allows you to plant and grow virtual trees while you focus on tasks
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ADDitude magazine: Magazine available online and in print with numerous articles about ADHD and related challenges and conditions for children and adults
CHADD: Stands for Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; this organization provides education, resources, and advocacy for children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD
How to ADHD: Excellent YouTube channel providing evidence-based information, strategies, and resources primarily aimed at adolescents and adults with ADHD from a creator with ADHD; some videos that may also be useful to parents of children with ADHD
The Anti-Planner: Print book with sections available as digital PDFs; contains over 165 different strategies for managing productivity struggles
Apps
Brili: Visual timer and habit tracker app to help build routines with versions for kids and adults; free to download but requires a paid plan to use after a free trial
Challenges Alarm Clock: Free alarm clock app with extra-loud volume that requires you to complete challenges such as math problems or taking photos before it will turn off to help you wake up. Available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play store
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Autism Society: Group providing neurodivergence-affirming advocacy and resources for individuals across the autism spectrum
University of Washington Autism Center: Provides autism evaluations and clinical services, as well as research and training
Mary Bridge neurology department: Provides autism evaluations and other clinical services
https://www.marybridge.org/services/neurology/conditions-treatments/autism/
Seattle Children’s Hospital Autism Center: Provides autism evaluations and clinical services, resources for children and families, and access to research and clinical trials
Self-Identification Resources and Communities: Handout from the UW Autism Center listing resources for adults with self-identified autism
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): Advocacy group for and by autistic people promoting including individuals with autism in policy decisions about autism
Square Pegs Autistic Adults Meetup Group: Virtual and in-person meetup groups with various focuses for adults with autism, whether formally diagnosed or self-diagnosed
Washington Autism Alliance: Advocacy group working on expanding access to healthcare, education, and services for autistic individuals in Washington state and provide resources and education around autism
PDA Society: British organization devoted to the Pathological Demand Avoidance autism profile
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Anxiety Canada: Resources for adults and children on living with and treating anxiety disorders and OCD
What’s Your Grief? Grief website providing resources and support groups
Bridges Center for Grieving Children: Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital’s center offering resources, support groups, and a free summer camp for grieving children and their families
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN): Network of providers, family members, researchers, and national partners working to further research childhood trauma
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Gottman Institute: Articles for parents about the evidence-based emotion coaching parenting style
https://www.gottman.com/blog/category/parenting-emotion-coaching/
Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing: Free online parenting course from Yale University
InfoAboutKids.org: Website with lists of resources related to children compiled by the American Psychological Association (APA)’s Consortium for Science-Based Information on Children, Youth and Families (CSICYF)
Amaze: Videos for parents to share with their kids helping explain puberty, sexuality, human reproduction, healthy relationships, gender identity, and more
Scarleteen: Sex-positive and LGBTQ+-inclusive sexual health, relationship, and body resources for older teens and young adults
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Gottman Institute blog: Articles for couples about relationship issues based on The Sound Relationship House theory by Drs. John and Julie Gottman
Gottman Love Lab: Relationship assessment and other resources for couples
Apps
Paired: App with conversation starters and relationship advice for couples; requires a subscription after a one-week free trial
Gottman Card Decks App: Questions, statements, and ideas for improving relationships
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LGBT National Help Center: LBGTQIA+ volunteers providing peer support, information, and local resources, with a goal of preventing crises. Multiple hotlines available Monday — Friday, 11 am — 8 pm and Saturday 9 am — 2 pm
LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline: 888-688-5428
LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743
LGBT National Senior Hotline: 888-234-7243
LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory: Directory of LGBTQ+-inclusive healthcare providers
PFLAG: Organization providing support and resources for the LGBTQ+ community and allies
Human Rights Campaign: Nation-wide LGBTQ+ advocacy group
The Trevor Project: Suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults
GLAAD: The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is an advocacy group working to increase LGBTQ+ acceptance through representation in entertainment, news, and digital media
The Washington Blade: Newspaper covering LGBTQ+ news in Washington, DC, and around the world
LGBTQ Nation: Online news magazine reporting on issues relevant to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer community
Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER): Youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender non-conforming students through advocacy and empowerment