Why Starlight?

" It was the sunlight the first time and the stars the second time, but inevitably it is the sky that grants me reprieve from my demons."

Resources and Help

     The following links and contact information are for a number of organizations that you may find useful in your journey. I encourage you to become as informed as possible and to reach out for help if you need it. The name of the organization is followed by the country they are based out of. If you live in an area that I do not have a resource for, but you would like to share one, please feel free to comment on this post. We can all work together to make sure no one has to feel alone.


  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA)
    • http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ OR 1-800-273-8255
    • If you are considering suicide or self harm, PLEASE CALL THIS HOTLINE. I know things are really really dark right now but they do get easier. The way you feel now does not last forever.
    • For those who are preemptively looking at this resource. It is very user friendly and to the point.

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (USA)
    • http://www.afsp.org/ OR 1-800-273-8255
    • This foundation works with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Their site is a far more comprehensive look at how a person gets to the point of being suicidal. It is a very easy to navigate site and has a lot of very important information for those in crisis, those helping others in crisis, and survivors of suicide. 

  • RAINN - Rape, Abuse, and Incest Nation Network (USA)
    • https://www.rainn.org/   OR  1-800-656-4673
    •  This site is a wonderful resource for survivors and loved ones. It covers a number of important topics and has links to lots of additional help. The site is a little heavy to navigate but really does have a lot of specific information. 
    • *If you have been raped. Please seek medical attention as soon as possible. You may have been exposed to an STI or be at risk for a pregnancy. You deserve better than to suffer for this. *

  • Rape Crisis (UK)
    • http://www.rapecrisis.org.uk/reportingrape2.php OR 0808 802 9999
    • This site is very similar to RAINN but is specifically for use in the UK. It is a resource for survivors and loved ones. It covers many important topics including how to report various types of abuse in the UK. It has links for England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. The site is very easy to navigate and has a lot of vital information.
    • *If you have been raped, please seek medical attention as soon as possible. You may have been exposed to an STI or be at risk for a pregnancy. It is vital that you recieve medical attention, as you do not deserve to suffer further.

  • RCNE- Rape Crisis Network Europe 
    • http://www.rcne.com/ 
    • This site is very easy to use; it offers help based on country and in different languages. There is a lot of information presented in a very simple way, but this is ultimately for getting help. Please use it if you are in a European country and seeking help for sexual assault.


  • ASCA - Adults Surviving Child Abuse ( Australia )
    • http://www.asca.org.au/survivors.aspx OR 1300 657 380 
    • This association is based out of Australia. It has a very user friendly website. I feel it best covers how to live with the aftermath rather than just pointing out what the effects might be. It offers a lot of good information even for those of us in other countries.
  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline ( USA )
    • http://www.thehotline.org/  OR  1-800-799-7233
    • This resource is primarily for domestic abuse. They have a comprehensive check list under the heading "Is This Abuse?" They heavily focus on safely removing yourself from an abusive relationship, as well as having resources for survivors. 

  • Hidden Hurt - Domestic Abuse Information ( UK )

  • Child Help - Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse (USA)
    • http://www.childhelp.org/  OR 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
    • This website and national hotline is specifically for child abuse. It has a lot of information on child abuse, how to identify it, and how to help others you think may be in an abusive situation. It is another very comprehensive site but is rather user friendly.

  • Childline (UK)
    • http://www.childline.org.uk/ OR 0800 1111
    • This resource is specifically for individuals under eighteen years of age. It is a very user friendly site with a lot of information. It includes sections on abuse, home life, college, bullying, sex, gender identity, drugs, self esteem. It is a fabulous site. I recommend it if you are in the correct age bracket for it. They even have a special link to resources for those who age past Childline, so those nineteen and above. If you are in the UK and you need more specific help. Please consult this link.

  • Love Is Respect (USA)
    • www.loveisrespect.org  OR 1-866-331-9474 OR Text "loveis" to 22522
    • This site covers a lot of types of abuse and is very user friendly. Its primary focus is romantic relationships but includes sections on emotional, financial, and digital abuse. Those topics are a bit harder to find resources on. It also has a section on stalking. I recommend this site as an all around go to if you have issues with any of the previous listed abuses.
    And as always, if you are currently experiencing abuse, you can always call your local emergency services. The officers in most areas will have some training necessary to remove you from the situation. Calling the non-emergency number for your local police may give you access to more local resources.


  • The United Way Organization (Worldwide)
    • http://www.unitedway.org/find-your-united-way/ OR 2-1-1
    • This organization provides assistance to and acts as a directory for any number of social services available within a community. They partner with organizations that provide shelter to domestic abuse victims, assistance for substance abuse, crisis and suicide hotlines, assistance for individuals and families dealing with medical issues, senior services, and other issues specific to each community.

  The following links are not hotline or specifically geared for help. They are more academic or clinical literature. I strongly suggest reading about some of the effects of abuse. It can cause a number of mental health issues, that while stigmatized, deserve to be treated. We all deserve to be as happy as possible. And I know that its super scary sometimes to admit that you have a problem. I hope the following links will give you the information you may need to seek professional help if necessary.

  • NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health 
    • http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
    • This link covers a wide range of topics. It has information on various types of abuse and mental illnesses, such as PTSD and depression.

  • Help Guide
    • http://www.helpguide.org/
    • This nonprofit provides information on a wide variety of mental health issues, abuse, and life issues. It provides a nice starting point for your research.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    • http://www.cdc.gov/
    • Commonly known as the CDC here in the USA, this site provides a very healthy focused range of information. It has statistics on most things but also has important information, tip, and warning signs for a number of illnesses and situations. Its a nice site to be generally familiar with.

  • FORWARD
    • http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/
    • This UK based organization focuses on women specifically. Its based in the UK but services women in the UK, Europe, and Africa. Their purpose is to safeguard the sexual and reproductive rights of African women. This includes child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, and other related rights. I know this issue has been on the news more recently for European countries, please feel free to learn more about this practice.  ( Equality Now is another organization with a similar focus in the UK. )
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