Who to Reach Out to in a Crisis?

Getting help for any mental health issue can feel hard. Sometimes we question if what we are going through, or what we are observing in a colleague, coworker, or family member is serious enough to warrant reaching out. The fact is that you don’t need to be in a crisis to contact someone through a crisis hotline.  You can also reach out if you are sad, anxious, or just don’t know where to turn.  Many of the website resources listed below offer non-crisis support and online options for communication (chat and email) in addition to phone and text options.

Note:  If you feel that you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If calling 911, tell the operator that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask that they send someone who is trained for these situations.

National Suicide and Crisis Hotline

  • 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
  • 1-800-SUICIDE  (1-800-784-2433)

Text Hotlines

  • Text Hello to 741741
  • Text CARE to 839863
  • Text HOME to 741741

Online Chat

IMAlive is a website resource that will connect you to support via live messaging

En Espanol- Ayuda En Español 1-888-628-9454 Lifeline ofrece 24/7, gratuito servicios en español, no es necesario hablar inglés si usted necesita ayuda. 

Additional Resources

1. YouthLine – Text teen2teen to 839863 or call 1-877-968-8491

Provides a safe space for children and young adults 11 – 21 to talk through any issues they may be facing including, eating disorders, relationships or family concerns, bullying, sexual identity, depression, self-harm, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.  Chat and Email options are available on the Website

2. Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD  (1-800-422-4453) Childhelp connects you with a professional counselor to help in a crisis.  They offer phone support in 170 languages..

3. National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233  (1-800-799-SAFE)

4. National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline 1-855-812-1001. Online chat is available on the website.

5. RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) 1-800-656-4673 (1-800 656-HOPE)

6. The Trevor Project 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678. The Trevor Project is a resource for LGBTQIA+ kids and teens who are in in crisis, if they are feeling suicidal, or need a safe space to talk about any issue.

 7. LGBT National Help Center Offers hotlines, talklines and online chat options.

  • LGBT National Hotline – 1-888-843-4564
  • LGBT National Youth Talkline – 1-800-246-7743
  • LGBT National Senior Hotline – 1-888-234-7243

Drug or Alcohol Related Support

SAMHSA National Hotline 1-800-662-4357. This US government agency offers support and information about treatment and recovery for people who are struggling with addiction or are concerned about someone in their life who is.