Mental Health Definition

Mental health is a combination of someone’s emotional, psychological, spiritual, and social well-being. It varies from person to person and may be impacted by life events. Intense or hard life situations may have a negative effect on mental health resulting in the inability to do usual day-to-day routines.

Mental health is as important as, and is connected to, physical health. It requires ongoing attention. Tools, resources, and treatments are available. Talk with your healthcare team about the best treatment for you. Tools and resources can be found through NBDF & HFA.

Mental Health Live Workshops

NBDF is dedicated to supporting mental health in the bleeding disorders community through live workshops that cover a variety of mental health topics. In partnership with our chapters, we offer mental health workshops in English and Spanish through the Education for Empowerment program.

Since 2021, NBDF has provided over 30 live workshops to community members on the topic of mental health.

Mental Health Resources

These resources are for individuals and families affected by bleeding disorders who are interested in exploring mental health support. If you or someone you care about is experiencing an immediate crisis or having thoughts of self-harm or harming others, then seek immediate assistance by calling 9-1-1, calling your healthcare provider, or going to the nearest emergency department.

Steps for Living: Mental Health Resources

Visit the Steps for Living site where you can learn more ways to take care of your mental health while living with a blood or bleeding disorder.

Visit Steps for Living

Bleeding Disorder Specific Resources

NBDF Video: Skills for Coping with Anxiety and Depression

  • About: This video discusses how stress can affect life, how to know when life balance, and what resources are available to get back on track to enjoying ones. We explore coping strategies for depression and anxiety, ways to based on findings from the Hemophilia Experiences, Results and Opportunities (HERO)
  • Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHGQITja9ho&t=2s

NBDF Town Hall Webinar - Stress & Anxiety: Coping with COVID-19

  • About: On April 17th, 2020, experts from NBDF answered your questions on how best to deal with stress in this townhall webinar titled Stress & Anxiety: Coping with COVID-19.
  • Link: https://youtu.be/w4CyXDuTiGY

Articles from HEMAWARE: The Bleeding Disorders Magazine


Let’s Talk Mental Health

  • About: Let's Talk is an immersive journey through the lives of five members of the U.S. bleeding disorders community. In it they open their hearts and lives to show how we can gain strength through the struggle, and that perhaps, we aren't so different after all. Produced in partnership with Mental Health Matters Too, the film is intended to spark conversation, increase awareness, and decrease stigma. This website provides easy-to- use links, resources, and tools for connection, screening, and receiving support.
  • Link: https://letstalkmh.com/

coreHEM Mental Health Outcome Instrument

  • About: The coreHEM Mental Health Project is part of a larger project, coreHEM, which was an initiative co-led by the Green Park Collaborative (GPC), the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF), and McMaster University. They partnered with the NBDF to develop a patient-reported outcome measure that can be used to see how mental and emotional health outlook changes after a patient receives gene therapy for hemophilia.
  • Link: http://www.cmtpnet.org/green-park-collaborative/other-initiatives/other- initiatives/

Local Chapter and HTC Resources


Bleeding Disorders Substance Use and Mental Health Access Coalition (BD SUMHAC)

About: BD SUMHAC works to ensure patients with a bleeding disorder have equitable access to mental health and substance use treatment facilities. BD SUMHAC’s Access Toolkit is designed to empower you and give you the tools to help you or your loved one get access to inpatient/residential mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities.

Link: https://www.bdsumhac.org/

Emergency Assistance and Hotlines

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

  • About: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
  • Website: https://988lifeline.org/
  • Phone: 988

National Domestic Violence Hotline

  • About: This organization provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Callers can expect highly trained, experienced advocates to offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information, educational services, and referral services in more than 200 languages. Visitors to this site can find information about domestic violence, online instructional materials, safety planning, local resources, and ways to support the organization.
  • Website: https://www.thehotline.org/
  • E-mail: nationaldeafhotline@adwas.org
  • Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) / 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
Direct Support and Assistance Organizations

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

  • About: The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
  • Website: https://www.nami.org/Home
  • Contact NAMI: https://www.nami.org/contact-us
  • Phone: 800-950-6264 (Helpline), 703-524-7600 (Main Office)

Mental Health America (MHA)

About: The nation’s leading community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans.


Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

About: A national organization focusing on mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder.


The Trevor Project

About: The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.


The Jed Foundation

About: Nonprofit organization that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults. They partner with high schools and colleges to focus on mental health, address substance misuse, and provide suicide prevention programs and systems.


Veterans Crisis Line

About: US Veterans and their families, friends, and loved ones can experience significant stress, transition, and a variety of unknowns. Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many are veterans themselves.

Other National and International Organizations (Not Direct Assistance)

World Health Organization (WHO): Mental Health and Substance Abuse

About: WHO works to promote mental health and prevent mental, neurological and substance use disorders. The WHO supports the expansion of access to affordable, quality care for everyone who needs it.


National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

About: The leading federal agency for research on mental health disorders. It is one of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the largest biomedical research agency in the world. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).


The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

About: The agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.


Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)

About: Founded in 1979, the ADAA is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and co-occurring disorders through education, practice, and research.


Child Mind Institute

About: Independent, national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. They deliver the highest standards of care, advance the science of the developing brain, and empower parents, professionals, and policymakers to support children when and where they need it most.

These lists are for general information only. NBDF does not give medical advice and always recommends consulting a healthcare professional if you are in need of care.

The mental health resource list was originally compiled by Nick Kallinicou and would not be possible without the help of the entire HANDI team.

Mental Health Webinars

NBDF's online education provides free quality education on issues that matter to all members of the bleeding disorders community, from parents of young children to adults struggling with mental health. These webinars and webcasts bring the experience of expert providers and your peers directly to you. Watch the most recent mental health webinars listed below, or browse the complete listing.

View All Webinars on Mental Health

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