Getting Pregnant, Pregnancy

Important Phone Numbers/Resources

Posted by The Sexperts on
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SexInfo Online has compiled a list of resources for those in search of assistance, information, and help on various topics including pregnancy, sexual health, and mental health. This article contains resources and phone numbers that can connect you or a loved one with organizations that are knowledgeable ready to help. The list we provide is not exhaustive; if you cannot find the information you are looking for listed here, it does not mean there are no other resources available to find If you continue to have trouble finding resources or hotlines, you can send a message to the the Sexperts and we can direct you to helpful resources or people to talk to. We hope that you find these resources, which include websites and phone numbers, informative and useful. Please do not hesitate to get support from these resources if you are in need of counseling, information, comfort, or advice. If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please seek medical or police assistance immediately.

Sexual Health

Sexual health includes topics such as STI testing and prevention, erectile dysfunction, fertility, menstruation, and cancers. These issues are all vitally important aspects of health that require vigilance and treatment in order to maintain sexual health and to promote the health of the rest of the body. Like any other issue of the body, when someone suspects they may have contracted a sexually-transmitted infection, action should be taken immediately to treat the condition and to mitigate its symptoms. Many STIs and other sexual health problems are treatable as long as testing and treatment are pursued immediately. The following resources can provide information on a variety of sexual health topics and may also be able to refer you to clinics or testing centers.

Resources in the United States

ASHA Sexual Health — ASHA is the American Social Health Association (ASHA) that provides information, materials and referrals to those concerned with sexually transmitted infections. ASHA answers STI questions topics such as transmission, risk reduction, prevention, testing, and treatment. They are available through phone call.

Center for Disease Control (CDC) — This government resource operates a hotline to help determine if you may have contracted an STI and also helps explain how and where to find the best treatment option in any scenario. The resource also provides a substantial amount of online information related to sexual health and STIs as well as yearly statistics detailing the prevalence of STIs in the US.

  • Call: 1-800-232-4636

Planned Parenthood’s National Counseling Hotline — Planned Parenthood offers free information about various topics including sexual health, pregnancy, STDs, mental health, general health, sex, and sexuality. Planned Parenthood also makes appointments and referrals. They are available through phone call, text, or online chat.

Sexual Health Hotline — This medically accurate hotline provides confidential and reliable information on sexual health, STDs, and family planning. They are available through phone call, text, or online chat.

Resources in Canada

Options for Sexual Health — This organization operates a toll-free hotline for questions related to sexual health for Canadians living in British Columbia and the Yukon; callers outside of these two provinces will have to pay long distance charges. It also allows users to browse a list of clinics, pharmacies, and practices that are capable of providing services to treat sexual health issues such as STI testing, treatment, and birth control.

LGBTQ Support

Defining one’s gender identity such and sexuality can be confusing and intimidating. Support hotlines are available to help people from the LGBTQ community with professionals specialized in answering a wide range of questions relating to gender and sexuality. These hotlines also provide resources to anyone seeking information about LGBTQ identities. Some can help the user get in contact with LGBTQ groups near them.

Resources in the US

Gay and Transgender Hate Crime Hotline — This hotline provides legal advice, counseling support, and a place to report hate crimes. They are available through phone call.

  • Call: 1-800-616-HATE (1-800-616-4283)

GLBT National Help Center — GLBT is a national hotline that offers support and resources for all genders including gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals of all ages. They are available through phone call or online chat.

The Trevor Project — The Trevor Project is a crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ young people. This resource is available through phone call, text, or online chat.

Resources in the US and Canada

Trans Lifeline — This volunteer organization is operated entirely by transgender people for transgender people or people who are questioning their gender identity. The hotline is intended to be used by transgender people that are undergoing a crisis, including anyone that may be struggling with their gender identity, whether or not they identify as transgender. Their staff are professionally trained to provide support and services to those in need and can relate to the unique difficulties of being transgender from their own experiences of being transgender themselves.

  • US Call: 1-877-565-8860
  • Canada Call: 1-877-330-6366

Adoption

These resources offer services to people that are seeking to adopt a child and to people that are considering offering their child for adoption. The organizations listed are unbiased and some act as mediators between the parents of the child and the families seeking to adopt the child in order to make the transition as simple as possible for everyone involved. Other resources listed below provide information and support to parents that are considering adoption so that they may make the best choice for themselves and their child.

Resources Available in the United States

A is 4 Adoption —  A is 4 Adoption offers alternative pregnancy options and information for mothers and families. They are available through phone call, text, or email.

American Adoption — This agency operates a confidential 24-hour adoption hotline for anyone considering adoption. The support line offers services and information for both pre-birth and post-birth individuals ranging from helping families decide if adoption is the right option to connecting them with adoption counselors and support groups in their area.

Resources Available in the US and Canada

Adoption.com — This website provides pregnant individuals with a wealth of adoption resources and information. The site offers users the ability to directly contact families that are looking to adopt a child and also provides a tool to find adoption professionals that can mediate the entire adoption process. The website also includes a feature to seek out adoption service providers in the US and Canada for an assortment of adoption topics.

Abortion

An abortion is a medical or surgical procedure performed with the intent to terminate a pregnancy. These procedures are often painless but can be psychologically difficult and stressful to deal with for the pregnant individual and their loved ones. There are many resources available that detail the abortion process, provide information on where to have one performed, offer support for individuals considering having an abortion as well as to those that have already had one, and some that preach their organization’s beliefs in an attempt to sway people towards having the procedure done or not. However, it is ultimately up to the pregnant individual to decide what is right for them. The Sexperts take a pro-choice stance, however, we provide resources from both sides of this often divisive and controversial debate in order to provide as much information as possible so readers can make an informed choice.

Resources in the United States

Pro-Choice Resources

Abortion Clinics Online — Abortion Clinics Online is an online directory for abortion clinics, and it offers assistance in finding clinics for pregnant women.

National Abortion Federation (NAF) — NAF offers information for pregnant women including abortion, parenthood, and adoption. They offer confidential and free emotional, legal, and financial support and referrals for pregnant women. They are available through phone call (see details below).

  • Call for pregnancy options and financial resources: 1-800-772-9100
  • Call for referrals to quality abortion providers: 1-877-257-0012
  • Website: http://prochoice.org/

Planned Parenthood — This organization provides facts and statistics about abortion to interested individuals. Planned Parenthood details the options regarding abortions and offers to help find medical centers that will safely perform them across the United States. Planned Parenthood also operates its own health centers around the country, where they provide services and information related to abortions. The organization also offers a support hotline to help individuals find the nearest health center or to make appointments at a clinic. The website also allows users to chat directly with health educators to get answers to any question relating to sex, sexuality, health, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or pregnancy.

Pro-Life Resources

1st Way Life Center — 1st Way Life Center is a pro-life religious organization that offers assistance and emotional support to women who wish to carry their child to term. They are available through phone call or text.

CareNet — CareNet is a pro-life organization that offers alternatives to abortion and offers support for family planning. They are committed to prenatal development and abundant families. They are available through phone call or email.

Live Action — This resource is a database that lists websites and phone numbers for organizations on a variety of abortion topics with a pro-life and anti-abortion stance. These organizations offer assistance to anyone considering abortion, provide information on options besides abortion, and include hotlines for those seeking support after undergoing an abortion.

National Crisis Pregnancy Helpline — This U.S. National Pregnancy Helpline offers assistance in finding a local pregnancy help center near you. They offer support and assistance for men and women with three pregnancy options: parenting, abortion, and adoption. They encourage pro-life-affirming choices for pregnant women, but also provide abortion options and accurate medical information. They are available through phone call.

Resources Available in the US, Canada, and Mexico

Pro-Choice Resources

National Abortion Federation — This resource seeks to spread education about abortion to allow people that are considering getting an abortion to be informed about their decision. The organization has an accredited program of medical education dedicated exclusively to providing high quality abortion care and allows individuals to get in contact with healthcare professionals. The organization also offers a toll-free, confidential hotline that acts as a source of information about abortions, referrals, and financial assistance in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

  • Call: 1-877-257-0012  Referrals to health care service providers
    1-800-772-9100 Information about abortion and financial assistance
  • Website: https://prochoice.org/

OptionLine — OptionLine is a resource dedicated to supporting pregnant women and providing them with information on pregnancy and options for pregnant mothers, including emergency contraception, abortion, adoption, and parenting. They are available through phone call, text, or online chat.

Resources Available Internationally

Pro-Choice Resources

Birthright International — Birthright International provides free and confidential support to pregnant girls and women. They offer love and friendship, as well as pregnancy options and assistance with family planning. They are available through phone call, email, or online chat.

Domestic Abuse and Domestic Violence   

Domestic abuse is often very difficult to acknowledge and talk about as it may be hard to admit and accept that a loved one would do intentional or unintentional harm. People who are experiencing domestic abuse should try to leave or be removed from their abusive environment. They should be given support in order to help them heal from their experiences and find a safer environment. By being removed from the toxic environment and by receiving support, both the abused and the abuser can begin taking the necessary steps to recovery. Abuse can be both emotional and physical and anyone of any age, race, and gender can be abused or be abusers.

Resources Available in the United States

866 US Women — 866 US Women is an American based Domestic Violence Crisis Center that provides support, help, and information for those dealing with abuse locally and overseas. They provide instruction on how to contact them internationally and are available through phone call and email.

Childhelp — Childhelp is a National Child Abuse Hotline that provides crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals. This organization is dedicated to preventing child abuse. They are available through phone call.

The Hotline — The Hotline is a National Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline and offers immediate support for victims who are looking for safety, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. They are available through phone call or online chat.

International Resources

HotPeachPages —This is an international directory documenting the agencies and organizations committed to handling domestic abuse and domestic violence in hundreds of countries and hundreds of languages worldwide. This resource includes countries on every continent and contains information about abuse hotlines, shelters, crisis centers, and women’s organizations that are able to provide the support and safety needed for anyone suffering domestic violence across the globe.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders collectively affect at least 30 million people in the US alone.1 Four out of every ten individuals in the US have either struggled with an eating disorder themselves or know someone with an eating disorder. Eating disorders have devastating effects on the mental and physical health of the person suffering from the disorder. Eating disorders can also cause stress on friends and family as they worry about their loved one’s wellbeing and life. For a comprehensive list of the signs and symptoms of the most widespread eating disorders, visit our “Eating Disorders” article.

Resources in the United States

Eating Disorder Hope — This organization provides articles detailing various eating disorders, online support forums, and one-on-one contact with a specialist through their hotline to help anyone through any stage of their struggle against eating disorders. Eating Disorder Hope also specializes in connecting people with the best and most convenient treatment centers for their individual needs in 47 US states as well as online treatment centers.

National Eating Disorder Association — This resource focuses on detecting the signs of eating disorders and providing early intervention and improved access to treatment. The NEDA also provides support and answers to families surrounding these life-threatening illnesses through their hotline.

Resources in Canada

The National Eating Disorder Information Centre — This National Centre provides a helpline for anyone with an eating disorder and is based in Toronto. The helpline is intended to support anyone with an eating disorder by connecting them to both individual and group assistance options. The helpline is mainly intended to be used by the person suffering from the eating disorder but it can also provide support and information to the friends and family of those affected. NEDIC also has an online directory that can be used to contact private practices and specialized treatment centres in every province.

Mental Health, Suicide, and Self-Harm Resources

There are a wealth of resources available that provide support and treatment options to anyone suffering from mental health problems, suicidal thoughts or actions, and self-harm. These organizations offer nonjudgemental support for those suffering as well as for the friends and family that may be affected affected.

Resources in the United States

Door of Hope — Door of Hope is an organization dedicated to helping teens and young adults overcome self-harm and struggle through ideas of hope and restoration. They are available through phone call, text, or email.

Lifeline — Lifeline is a national suicide prevention hotline that provides free, confidential crisis counseling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They offer support to individuals and families in distress. They are available through phone call or online chat.

NAMI — NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The NAMI helpline offers support and answers questions about mental health. They are available through phone call, text, and email.

  • Call: 1-800-950-NAMI (1-800-950-6264)
  • Text: “NAMI” to 741741
  • Email: info@nami.org
  • Website: http://www2.nami.org/

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — This hotline is a national network of crisis centers that provides support to those under severe distress and considering suicide. The service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offers recommendations to help alleviate suicidal thoughts as well as the details of local crisis centers if the individual is still feeling overwhelmed and in need of immediate assistance.

S.A.F.E. — S.A.F.E. stands for Self Abuse Finally Ends. This organization works to end self-harm by offering support and information through their hotline. They are available through phone call and email.

Resources in Canada

Crisis Centre — This centre is a non-profit, volunteer organization in British Columbia committed to helping people deal with a crisis. Their support hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to receive calls from anyone having suicidal thoughts in over 140 different languages. The site also provides users with a crisis chat service online to anyone in the provinces of British Columbia and the Yukon.

Sexual Assault   

According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), sexual assault is defined as any sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the survivor.2 Sexual assault of any kind is an exceptionally difficult issue to grapple with and to heal from for many victims, survivors, and their loved ones. For many, sexual assault can feel like a lonely, scary, and traumatic experience. Survivors may feel shock, numbness, anxiety, and guilt. Each individual responds to sexual assault in a unique way, and may thus need a unique and personal combination of support, therapy, and time to fully recover. No matter what kind of support someone may require, there is likely a resource available that can help.

Resources in the United States

The Nurturing Network — The Nurturing Network’s mission is to “alleviate the many forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation that persist in our global society.” You can contact them on their website.

RAINN — Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network provides support, referrals, and information for those experiencing sexual violence and harm. They are available 24/7 through phone call or online chat.

Sexual Assault Support — This hotline is offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is available in English & Spanish. It is available through phone call.

  • Call: 1-800-223-500

International Resources

HotPeachPages — This is an international directory documenting the agencies and organizations committed to handling domestic abuse and domestic violence in hundreds of countries and hundreds of languages worldwide. This resource includes countries on every continent and contains information about abuse hotlines, shelters, crisis centers, and women’s organizations that are able to provide the support and safety needed for anyone suffering domestic violence across the globe.

Substance Abuse

Whether the addiction is to prescription medication, alcohol, illegal drugs, or anything else, the effects can still be incredibly dangerous and life-threatening to those suffering from the addiction. Identifying substance abuse and taking action to overcome the addiction as early as possible can provide huge benefits. There are hundreds of organizations around the world specialized in helping people who are suffering from substance abuse and providing them with resources to find the treatment that is best for them.

Resources in the United States

Alcohol & Drug Abuse Hotline — This hotline offers support for substance abusers and referrals to suitable treatment facilities. They are available through phone call.

National Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Info Center — NASAIC is an organization dedicated to helping those who are struggling with substance abuse. Your contact with NASAIC is confidential. They are available through phone call, live chat, or the contact form on their website.

Sober Recovery — Sober Recovery is an organization that offers support and resources for those who abuse drugs and alcohol. They are available through phone call.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — This service is a federal agency that provides a free national helpline that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English and Spanish. This helpline offers information to individuals and families that are experiencing issues related to substance abuse. SAMHSA is able to refer callers to support groups, community organizations, and local treatment facilities which can provide assistance and treatment options to anyone in any stage of substance abuse.

Resources in Canada

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse — This Centre was created by the Canadian Parliament to research the effects of drugs on the body as well as the devastating damage caused by substance abuse. The Centre uses their research to draft policy responses for the Canadian government to drug related issues. It also acts as a resource for Canadian citizens regarding any topic related to substance abuse. While the Centre does not provide any hotlines or treatment options itself, it does contain a database which links to substance abuse treatment centers across the provinces in both English and French.

International Resources

Pro Talk — This website focuses on providing a receptive and understanding community of former and current addicts, professional substance abuse treatment specialists and professors. The site also features personal stories and various articles about addiction and substance abuse written by addicts, counselors, and doctors that frequent the community. Pro Talk also provides recommendations about rehabilitation services through their hotline.

Conclusion

We hope that you found these resources helpful. We invite you to use the “Ask The Sexperts” tab on our website if you have any further questions about sex, relationships, love, and sexual health. We guarantee your confidentiality and will answer your questions to the best of our ability.

References

  1. Hudson, J. I., Hiripi, E., Pope, H. G., & Kessler, R. C. (2007). The prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in the national comorbidity survey replication. Biological Psychiatry, 61(3), 348–358.
  2. “Sexual Assault | RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.” Sexual Assault | RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.

Last Updated: 3 June 2017.