Crisis Support (Around the World)

All humans need help and support, especially crisis support, no matter where we travel or live in this world. So I’m sharing the free and affordable support I have found helpful during crises…

Abuser/Psychopath Detection

As someone who spent a great portion of my life surrounded by abusers (and psychopaths), I had to learn safety skills—how to identify and handle these humans who harm. For the safety of humanity, I believe all good humans must know how to detect abusers (and psychopaths), too—to prevent them from obtaining power over anyone or anything … including courts and nations.

How To Call To and From Overseas

Emergency 911 Numbers Abroad

International ambulance, fire, and police numbers are listed in the following links. One must verify the accuracy of these numbers before one needs them. As always, English‐speaking operators may not be available.

Translating Important Messages

Free translate apps allow me to type a message in my language, then see that message in any language I am trying to speak. These apps can speak that message to me so I can practice saying it properly. Or I can play the recording of the message to those I’m trying to communicate. If face-to-face, I can hold up my phone and point to the message so the other party can read it. This helps me during emergencies and while learning languages.

Crisis + Suicide Helplines

Crisis and suicide helplines around the world are in this databasefree text, email, chat, phone, and in-person support options for anyone in need of this. One enters their current location, refines it by region, and then clicks to see free helplines with free support options. Since many are 24/7, if there’s not a good local fit, one can choose any region that offers a better fit.

Human Trafficking Help

Human Trafficking Hotline is a free resource to help human trafficking victims and anyone who might know a human trafficking victim. This helpline exists to listen, support, take tips about anyone who might be a victim, and help one stay safe.

Domestic Abuse + Sexual Assault Support

Crisis phone support, advocacy, legal, counseling, and shelter support are free via local, national, and international domestic abuse and sexual assault nonprofits…

As someone who has worked with clients in one of these organizations—and, unfortunately, next to executives who were found to abuse their roles—please know a well-run nonprofit offering these free services should happily ensure that…

  • all staff working with clients are former victims/survivors

  • all staff working with clients have already actively worked to heal their trauma

  • all staff working with clients have been trained in trauma-informed skills

  • all staff working with clients are actively using trauma-informed skills

  • all clients are given a list of trauma-informed support provided by staff

  • all clients are given a list of their rights—to confidentiality, respect, privacy

  • all clients work with one consistent advocate, so they don’t have to repeat their story

  • clients are listened to, believed, and given support resources

  • clients are never told what they should do

  • clients choose for themselves what they decide is best for them

  • all clients are given a supervisory (governmental oversight) phone number to confidentially report any wrong-doing on the part of the nonprofit, including one’s sense of emotional safety and any breaches of confidentiality

emotional first aid

understanding estrangement

When boundaries are not enough because they are not respected, sometimes estrangement is temporarily or permanently necessary to keep us safe. Here are some links that help share why this is typically a last resort—after years of unsuccessful attempts at trying to protect oneself…

Mental Health (and Trauma) Support

One’s medical doctor and health insurance organization are likely the ideal resources for obtaining mental health support, and I want to pass along these free online resources, too…

Addiction Help

One’s medical doctor and health insurance organization are likely the ideal resources for obtaining addiction help, and I want to pass along these free online resources, too…

Travel + Health Insurance (Denials, Billing)

To cover medical needs, here’s how I handle travel and health insurance.

  • in the US state where I have legal residency, the health benefit exchange is where I find the most affordable, and many find free, health insurance (more US states have state-based exchanges, too)

  • I love seeing the plans that advertise free online Teladoc mental health therapy

  • insurance plans/rates are based on one’s income (not based on assets, it seems, just income)

  • tax credits are also offered, which may lower the monthly premium even more

    • because my income fluctuates, I’ve found it wisest I choose a plan based on what I would have to pay if I did not get those tax credits

    • aka, I now choose a plan with a monthly premium I’d feel most comfortable paying should I ever have to pay the entire monthly premium without those tax credits…

    • meaning, I do not want to blindly choose a plan offering the cheapest premium after the tax credits are applied…

    • because if my income unexpectedly increases at the end of the year, I might have to repay some or all of those tax credits

    • a reality I just faced, costing me an extra $2400 for a plan that was nearly identical to a plan that would have been, overall, $2400 less

A health benefit exchange is a key provision of the Affordable Care Act that creates a new marketplace for each state to offer health and dental insurance coverage to individuals and families. Exchanges can be developed and implemented by the state or by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Washington State chose to implement a state-based exchange.

“The Washington Health Benefit Exchange was created in state statute in 2011 as a public-private partnership. The Exchange is responsible for the operation of Washington Healthplanfinder, an easily accessible, online marketplace for individuals and families to find, compare and enroll in Qualified Health Plans, Qualified Dental Plans and Washington Apple Health (Medicaid).

Washington Healthplanfinder offers Washington state residents … side-by-side comparisons of Qualified Health Plans and Qualified Dental Plans … tax credits or financial help to pay for co-pays and premiums … customer support online, by phone or in-person through local organizations or insurance brokers.

“The Exchange complies with open public meetings and public disclosure guidelines but is not subject to other laws that govern state agencies. The Exchange initially started in the Washington State Health Care Authority and has since transitioned to an independent organization. We work closely with our state agency partners, including the Health Care Authority, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, and the Department of Social and Health Services.

Prescription Medicine

Overseas, I’ve found it very affordable to purchase my particular US prescriptions from any local European pharmacy. In WA, OR, NV, and CT

  • an ArrayRX digital card can “save up to 80% on medications

    • “no membership fee to join

    • “no age or income restrictions

    • “only takes a minute to enroll

    • “all FDA-approved prescriptions are eligible for discounts

    • “each user signs up and gets their own digital card with a unique ID number.”

Legal Support

  • Women’s Law free and affordable legal resources in the USA and its territories.

  • State Attorneys General provide free consumer protection and other legal assistance (if they can’t help for free, they tell me who can) in the USA and its territories.*

  • Legal Shield is where we pay a small monthly fee to have access to a lawyer who can advise us on a large variety of issues—without a huge bill.

You Are Not Alone

Please know that you are not alone in any of this. I navigate crises, too. And we matter.