Mental illness can be crippling for many people, but this holiday season there is help available for when times are tough.

First lady Chirlane McCray launched Thrive NYC to help people suffering from mental illness. McCray says she started the program after she was inspired by her daughter's struggles with depression. She says her goal is to destigmatize mental health and offer new health services.

McCray says mental illness is a disease that people know very little about. She says we know how to fix broken bones or stop bleeding, but not much about helping people with things like anxiety or depression.

Some ways the program provides help is with the use of a 24-hour hotline, which allows people to text or leave a message for mental health professionals. There is even a way for patients to get mental health treatment while also seeing their regular doctors.