Welcome to the Helper's Resource Hub
Curated Tools for Helping Professionals & Caregivers
Welcome to our Resource Hub. This space offers trusted tools for mental health, trauma-informed care, and wellness support for helping professionals and caregivers.
Whether you're navigating a crisis, completing a self-assessment, preparing to talk with your doctor, or exploring resources on healing, caregiving, or professional growth, you’ll find curated guidance here to support your next step.
Sometimes burnout, stress, or a hard season can feel like too much to carry alone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, in crisis, or having thoughts of suicide, please know this is often a sign your system is under serious strain — not a personal failure. These thoughts can come from burnout, trauma, emotional overload, or health factors like sleep disruption or chemical imbalance, and you deserve support that helps you feel understood and addresses what’s really going on.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24/7. Whether you’re in immediate crisis, emotionally flooded, or just need someone to listen, trained support is available by calling or texting 988. If you're not sure what to say or how to ask for help, scroll below for self-assessments and tips you can bring to your doctor or therapist.
Resources for
Helping Professionals
First Responder Support Network
Peer-driven support and education for first responders and their families.
https://www.frsn.org
Code Green Campaign
Mental health awareness and resources for emergency services personnel.
https://codegreencampaign.org
Safe Call Now
24/7 confidential crisis referral service for public safety professionals.
https://www.safecallnowusa.org
CopLine
Confidential, 24/7 peer support hotline for law enforcement officers.
https://www.copline.org
Badge of Life
Mental wellness resources for police officers and law enforcement agencies.
https://badgeoflife.org
National Volunteer Fire Council – Share the Load
Behavioral health resources for fire and EMS personnel.
https://www.nvfc.org/share-the-load-program
Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation
Reducing stigma and improving mental health support for healthcare professionals.
https://drlornabreen.org
Educator Resilience & Trauma-Informed Self-Care Toolkit
Tools for school personnel to build resilience and manage stress.
https://traumaawareschools.org/resilience
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Self-Care Toolkit
Guidance for social workers on maintaining wellness and avoiding burnout.
https://www.socialworkers.org
National Register of Health Service Psychologists
Resources focused on clinician well-being and professional sustainability.
https://www.nationalregister.org/resources/self-care-hub/
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
24/7 support line for anyone experiencing emotional distress due to disaster or trauma.
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Crisis & Immediate Support Resources
If you or someone you care about is in crisis, please know you're not alone.
These confidential, 24/7 resources are here for you:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, immediate mental health support
https://988lifeline.org
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (English or Spanish)
Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor
https://www.crisistextline.org
NAMI HelpLine
Confidential support and resources for individuals and families navigating mental health.
https://www.nami.org/help
FindHelp.org
Enter your ZIP code to search for free or low-cost local services including food assistance, housing, healthcare, mental health support, financial help, and more.
RAINN – National Sexual Assault Hotline
Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) for free, confidential support
https://www.rainn.org
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth support)
Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
https://www.thetrevorproject.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
https://www.thehotline.org
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) Available 24/7
Free & Confidential | Interpreters available in 170+ languages
National Elder Abuse Hotline
Call: 1-800-677-1116
https://eldercare.acl.gov
Worried About an Animal’s Safety?
The Humane Society offers a state-by-state guide and steps to report safely.
humanesociety.org/resources/report-animal-cruelty
Talking to Your Healthcare Provider
Starting a conversation about mental health with your primary care provider or clinician can feel intimidating, especially during a stressful time. That’s why we recommend using brief, evidence-based assessments like the PHQ-9 (depression), GAD-7 (anxiety), or ACEs (childhood trauma exposure) as tools to help you express what you’re experiencing.
These screeners are widely used in clinical settings and can give you language and clarity to support your visit. You can bring a printed copy or screenshot to share your results to help guide the conversation and ensure you receive the care and support you deserve.
Not sure how to start the conversation?
Here are a few examples of gentle start-ups:
“I took a self-assessment for anxiety, and I scored high. I’d like to talk about what that might mean.”
“I’ve been feeling really low lately. This PHQ-9 screener helped me put it into words.”
“I filled out an ACEs questionnaire and realized how much early experiences may be affecting me now.”
“I took the DAST and realized I’ve been leaning on some unhealthy coping strategies. I’d like to talk about other options—maybe medication or healthier ways to cope.”
“I took an adult ADHD screener and realized some of the questions really describe how I function day to day. I’d like to talk about whether ADHD could be part of what I’m experiencing.”
"I took a relationship health quiz from Love Is Respect and it gave me some things to think about. Could we go over the results together?”
If you don’t feel heard or respected
It’s okay to advocate for yourself. If a provider dismisses your concerns, brushes off your results, or minimizes what you're experiencing, you can say:
“I’d like to explore this more. These symptoms have been affecting my daily life.”
You also have the right to seek a second opinion. The first provider isn’t always the right fit and that doesn’t mean you were wrong to reach out. Your experiences matter, and support is out there.
Want to share a tool with someone else?
If you’re concerned about a coworker, student, friend, or family member, a self-assessment can be a gentle, non-threatening way to open a conversation.
You might say:
“I found this burnout quiz helpful when I wasn’t sure what I was feeling. It might be worth looking at together.”
“I used this anxiety screener last week and it gave me clarity. Thought I’d pass it along in case it helps.”
“These kinds of tools helped me realize I needed to slow down. Maybe they could help you too.”
“I think you’d really benefit from checking out the Resource Hub. There are some short assessments that can give you real data on how you’re doing — might be helpful to validate what you’re feeling or just get a baseline.”
Important Note
These tools are for personal reflection and education only. They do not provide a diagnosis and are not a substitute for professional care. If you are struggling or unsure about your results, we encourage you to speak with a licensed clinician, primary care provider, or mental health professional.
Self-Assessments
Screening Tools & Self-Assessments for Helpers
Mental Health Screeners
PHQ-9: Patient Health Questionnaire – Depression Screening
A 9-item self-assessment used to identify symptoms of depression and measure severity.
https://www.mdcalc.com/phq-9-patient-health-questionnaire-9
GAD-7: Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale
Used to screen for and assess the severity of generalized anxiety symptoms.
https://www.mdcalc.com/gad-7-general-anxiety-disorder-7
PCL-5: PTSD Checklist for DSM-5
A 20-item questionnaire used to assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/adult-sr/ptsd-checklist.asp
Substance Use & Addiction
DAST-10: Drug Abuse Screening Test
A 10-item tool used to screen for problematic substance use patterns and support conversations around recovery, harm reduction, or further evaluation.
https://www.mdcalc.com/dast-10-drug-abuse-screening-test
CAGE-AID: Alcohol and Drug Use Screening Tool
A brief 4-item tool to screen for potential alcohol and drug use issues.
https://www.integration.samhsa.gov/images/res/CAGEAID.pdf
Neurodivergence & Attention
ASRS v1.1: Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale
A brief screening tool developed by the WHO to help identify symptoms of adult ADHD and guide conversations with healthcare providers.
https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/adult-adhd-test
NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scales (Youth ADHD)
Evidence-based ADHD screening tools to assess attention, behavior, and academic performance in children from multiple perspectives.
https://www.nichq.org/resource/nichq-vanderbilt-assessment-scales
Trauma History & Resilience
ACEs: Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire
Helps identify early life experiences that may be linked to long-term health and emotional challenges.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean
Brief Resilience Scale (BRS)
A self-assessment tool designed to measure your ability to bounce back from stress.
https://www.midss.org/midss/brief-resilience-scale-brs/
Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Professional Well-Being
ProQOL: Professional Quality of Life Scale
A widely used tool for helpers to assess their levels of compassion fatigue, burnout, and work-related well-being.
https://proqol.org
Burnout Self-Test by MindTools
An informal tool to help you reflect on early signs of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and stress-related burnout.
https://www.mindtools.com/ruhzdx7/burnout-self-test
Relationship Health
Healthy Relationship Quiz from Love Is Respect
A brief self‑assessment on emotional safety, respect, boundaries, and balance within a relationship.
https://www.loveisrespect.org/quiz/is-your-relationship-healthy/
One Love Relationship Health Quiz
A quick check-in to help you reflect on the health of your relationship.
https://www.joinonelove.org/act/relationship-health-quiz/
Trauma-Informed Resources
SAMHSA’s Trauma-Informed Care Principles
Foundation for our trainings and materials.
https://www.samhsa.gov/trauma-violence-types
CDC – ACEs & Prevention
Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and their impact.
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces
Harvard Center on the Developing Child
Groundbreaking research on early trauma and resilience.
https://developingchild.harvard.edu
Stanford Medicine – Childhood Trauma Resources
Stanford’s resources for understanding and addressing the long-term impacts of early trauma. Research-based tools and training.
https://med.stanford.edu/childhoodtrauma.html
Help & Hope WV – Prevention Works
Resources for community-based trauma prevention.
https://helpandhopewv.org/prevention-works.html
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Research and education on trauma and stress.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov
Trauma Aware Schools (traumaawareschools.org)
Tools for educators working in trauma-informed school environments.
http://traumaawareschools.org
The Gottman Institute
Resources on emotional intelligence, repair, and relationship skills.
https://www.gottman.com
NEA: Trauma-Informed Schools
Support for teachers and schools seeking to integrate TIC principles.
https://www.nea.org
NCTSN: National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Evidence-based supports for providers, schools, and families navigating childhood trauma.
https://www.nctsn.org
BEAM: Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
Healing justice resources for addressing racialized trauma and mental health care equity.
https://beam.community
The National Empowerment Center
Peer-led trauma recovery, emotional CPR, and survivor-centered wellness resources.
https://power2u.org
Personal Insight Resources
Therapist Aid
Free worksheets, handouts, and tools for clinicians across a range of topics including trauma, CBT, boundaries, and mindfulness.
https://www.therapistaid.com
Hopeful Panda
Practical resources on emotional invalidation, family dynamics, and healing from relational trauma. Known for accessible language and strong psychoeducation.
https://www.hopefulpanda.com
Neurodivergent Insights
Education and tools to support neurodivergent clients (ADHD, autism, RSD, etc.) through a trauma-informed and affirming lens.
https://www.neurodivergentinsights.com
The Dougy Center
Leading grief support resources for children, teens, and families. Includes handouts and guides for clinicians supporting grieving clients.
https://www.dougy.org
MindWell: Understanding the Grieving Process
This guide explains different models of grief to help you better understand how loss may affect thoughts, emotions, and healing over time.
The Grieving Process
Love Is Respect
An inclusive, accessible resource for healthy relationships, boundaries, consent, and safety.
www.loveisrespect.org
Attachment Project - In-depth, research-backed info on attachment styles, trauma, and healing. https://www.attachmentproject.com
Family Roles & Rules in Dysfunctional Families
A clear, clinician-friendly article describing unwritten family roles (hero, scapegoat, lost child, etc.) — helpful in family systems and inner child work.
https://alexandramassey.co.uk/2021/01/31/family-roles-and-rules-in-dysfunctional-families
National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM)
Offers free video series and blog posts on trauma, attachment, somatics, and more.
https://www.nicabm.com
Our Favorite Books
Core Reads on Trauma & Recovery
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
A foundational read on how trauma is held in the body and how we can begin to heal.
It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn
A powerful exploration of inherited family trauma and breaking generational cycles.
My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem
A body-based approach to healing racialized trauma for all bodies of culture.
The Deepest Well by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
Explores the lifelong impact of ACEs and how communities can respond to trauma.
The Grieving Brain by Mary-Frances O’Connor
A neuroscience-informed guide to understanding and navigating grief.
Emotional Wellness, Relationships & Boundaries
How to Be the Love You Seek by Dr. Nicole LePera
A guide to healing attachment wounds and forming secure, connected relationships.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Practical tools to build healthy boundaries and reclaim emotional peace.
Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner
A classic on understanding anger as a healthy, clarifying force—especially for women.
Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
Emotional literacy meets storytelling in this guide to naming and navigating complex feelings.
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by L. C. Gibson
Validating resource for understanding dysfunctional family dynamics and reclaiming your emotional needs.
The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists by Eleanor Payson
Recognizing and healing from narcissistic relationship patterns with clarity and compassion.
You Are Your Best Thing – Edited by Tarana Burke & Brené Brown
A powerful anthology of vulnerability, healing, and Black joy through the lens of lived experience.
Parenting, Caregiving & Youth Wellness
Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky Bailey
Trauma-responsive parenting and classroom strategies that build safety, connection, and regulation.
Parenting with Love and Logic by Charles Fay & Foster Cline
Compassionate, boundary-based parenting that fosters responsibility and empathy.
The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Dan Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Simple, brain-based strategies for helping children manage emotions and build resilience.
Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields
Mindful parenting practices to reduce generational trauma and increase calm connection.
Perfect Parenting & Other Myths by Frank Main
A practical guide for caregivers (especially grandparents) that offers foundational behavior understanding.
Books for Kids & Teens
The Anxiety Workbook for Teens by Lisa M. Schab
CBT-based tools to help teens identify and manage anxiety and stress.
The Trauma Workbook for Teens by Lisa M. Schab
Affirming, practical guide for teens navigating trauma and building emotional safety.
Stuff That’s Loud by Ben Sedley & Lisa Coyne
An ACT-based teen guide to managing anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and inner critics.
What Would Danny Do? series by Ganit & Adir Levy
Interactive books helping kids build empathy, resilience, and emotional choice-making.
Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey
Breathing and mindfulness practices for young children to support calm and regulation.
My Mouth Is a Volcano! by Julia Cook
A humorous, helpful book for kids who interrupt or blurt, teaching emotional control and respectful communication.
Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi
A gentle, empowering resource to teach children safe, respectful ways to express big feelings.
Tails Are Not for Pulling by Elizabeth Verdick
Supports empathy and kindness toward animals while helping children learn impulse control.
