Care and Connection That Matter

Mental Health Hub

Living with a chronic or neuromuscular disease can affect emotional health as well as physical health. Feelings of stress, anxiety, sadness, grief, or overwhelm are common and deserve attention and support. According to the CDC, adults with disabilities report experiencing frequent mental distress almost 5 times as often as adults without disabilities.

The resources on this website are designed to provide education and information. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide crisis intervention. If you, or someone you know, are experiencing a mental health emergency, thoughts of suicide, or concerns about your safety or the safety of others, seek immediate assistance by calling or texting 988, contacting emergency services, or going to the nearest emergency department.

Mental health, for those living with neuromuscular disease and caregivers, is a critical component for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We invite you to explore the following resources and educational materials related to mental health:

MDA Mental Health Educational Resources

MDA in coordination with expert mental health professionals have created the following programs to provide further information on caring for your emotional and mental well-being. We encourage you to view and share these with your friends and family.

Educational Materials to Print or Download

• Neuromuscular Disease and Your Mental Health
  English I Espanol
• Caring for Your Mental Health
  English I Espanol
• Mental Health Considerations for Caregivers
  English I Espanol

Educational Programs to Watch

• Managing Anxiety
  Presenter: Emily Brechting, PhD from Juniper Psychological Services
• Mental Health 101
  Presenter: Mary Holt-Paolone, MS, RN from MDA/ALS Center of Hope at Temple University
• Navigating Grief and Change in Neuromuscular Disease
  Presenter: Melissa Grove, MS, LLPC
• Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health Concerns in Children with Neuromuscular Disease
  Presenter: Paige T. Lembeck, PhD
• Mental Health Considerations in ALS
  Presenter: Gabrielle Book, LCSW from Hospital for Special Care
• Mental Wellness and SelfCare
  Presenter: Brianna Mills, LMFT
• Caring for the Caregiver
  Presenter: Victoria Love, LMSW

Find a Mental Health Professional

To find an appropriate mental health professional, we recommend:

• Connecting with the nearest MDA Care Center for mental health support and provider recommendations.
• If you are not being seen at an MDA Care Center and would like to be, please contact the Resource Center at 1833-ASK-MDA1 (1-833-275-6321) or ResourceCenter@mdausa.org.
• Visit Psychology Today and click on “Find a Therapist” to find a widerange of mental health professionals, including social workers, marriage and family therapists, and others.
• Utilize the American Psychological Association (APA) Practitioner Locator Tool to find a psychologist.

Tip: Utilize the Practice Areas filter on both websites to find mental health professionals with specific expertise. Applicable filters may include chronic illness, depression, disability, family, grief/loss, and physical illness/impairment.