When the Sh*t Is
Too Heavy
TSWC helps people talk and feel less alone—but some weight needs more than a card deck or a conversation.
If you're dealing with something that feels too heavy to hold by yourself, here are places that can actually help.
Need Help Right Now
Trans Lifeline
1-877-565-8860 (U.S.) or 1-877-330-6366 (Canada)
Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm Pacific time
Trevor Project
LGBTQ+ youth under 25
Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
SAMHSA National Helpline
Substance use/mental health
1-800-662-4357
samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Free, 24/7
Take a breath. You're doing what you need to do by being here.
Not an Emergency, But Still Heavy
- Talk to someone you trust (friend, family, mentor)
- Campus counseling (if you're a student—usually free or low-cost)
- Find a therapist or counselor
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through your job—often includes free sessions
- Community mental health centers in your area
- Community spaces where you feel safe (barbershop, church, gym, cultural center)
Getting help doesn't mean you failed. It means you're still fighting.
If Cost Is an Issue
- Open Path Collective — $40–70 therapy sessions (OpenPathCollective.org)
- Community mental health clinics — Sliding scale or free services
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) — Free support groups (NAMI.org or text NAMI to 741741)
- Psychology Today — Search therapists by insurance, sliding scale (PsychologyToday.com)
- Inclusive Therapists — BIPOC and LGBTQ+ affirming therapists (InclusiveTherapists.com)
- Local county behavioral health services — Often free or low-cost
- 7 Cups — Free peer support, affordable therapy online (7Cups.com)
One Thing Before You Go
Carrying heavy shit doesn't mean you're broken. It means you're human.
TSWC can help you connect with others, but some things need bigger support—and that's okay.
If it feels like too much, reach out. You matter.
Note: TSWC is not a crisis service or mental health treatment. If you're in danger or thinking about harming yourself or others, please use the resources above.