Hotlines & Helpful Resources

You may be nervous about calling a crisis line, but know that hotline volunteers want you to feel heard and supported.

What you can expect when contacting a crisis line by phone or text: Depending on your method of contact, there is usually a short wait time to be connected to a volunteer or counselor, ranging from 30 seconds to 10 minutes on average, depending on their call volume. Try not to be discouraged — someone will get to you as soon as they can. This does not mean that your call is not important. We want to hear from you.

Common MYTHS associated with contacting a hotline/crisis line:

Myth #1: I must be experiencing thoughts of suicide to reach out to a crisis line.
The trained counselors at the Crisis Text Line and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline & other hotlines are available 24/7 for anyone who is experiencing any crisis, such as sexual abuse, domestic violence, LGBTQ issues, bereavement, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or mental illness-related concerns. Although what is considered a ‘crisis’ is defined loosely to encourage anyone in need to reach out for help, callers and texters should recognize that crisis lines are neither short- nor long-term substitutes for therapy, emergency care, or professional health care.

Myth #2: If I mention that I’m suicidal, they’ll send the police to my location.
The Crisis Text Line engages in an “active rescue” (i.e., emergency services) in less than 1% of crises. The goal of the Crisis Text Line is to de-escalate the situation and work with the texter to identify the best options for seeking help locally. Emergency services are only alerted when there is imminent risk of harm to the texter and when the texter is unable or unwilling to create a safety plan (for example, unable or unwilling to separate themselves from their means for suicide or self-harm). Similarly, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s website emphasizes that its crisis counselors strive to empower the caller and help them problem-solve to identify the best course of action, meaning emergency services are only involved in situations where the caller is in immediate danger.

Myth #3: Since crisis lines have the potential to send emergency services to my location, my call/text is not confidential.
Anonymity is of utmost important to the Crisis Text/Call Hotlines. When you call or text a crisis line, your location and phone number are encrypted or otherwise anonymized, making it impossible for them to trace you. In some situations, counselors at these crisis lines may ask you to provide personally identifiable information (your name and home address) to better assist you, but you are under no obligation to share this information over text or on the phone.

So, what does happen when you call/text a crisis line?

At first you may hear an automated message with additional information and options while your call is routed to a crisis counselor. Once you’re connected, you’ll have someone to listen to you, provide support, and connect you with help. Sounds simple, huh? Don’t be intimidated or frightened by these free and confidential national resources. On the other end of your text or call is a trained, caring individual who is volunteering their time to help you work through rough patches and access local resources. Reaching out when you need help is brave, no matter how big or small you think your issues are. Above all, your safety and privacy are most important.

ABUSE

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
  • Stop it Now!: 1-888-PREVENT
  • United States Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-866-363-4276
  • National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (422-4453)
  • Child Abuse Hotline / Dept. of Social Services: 1-800-342-3720
  • Child Abuse National Hotline: 1-800-25ABUSE
  • Children in immediate danger: 1-800-THE-LOST
  • Exploitation of Children: 1-800-843-5678
  • Missing Children Help Center: 1-800-872-5437

CRISIS (TEENS UNDER 18)

  • Girls and Boys Town: 1-800-448-3000
  • Hearing Impaired: 1-800-448-1833
  • Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-4663
  • Teen Hope Line: 1-800-394-HOPE (4673)
  • The National Runaway Safeline: 800-RUNAWAY (800-786-2929) Provides advice and assistance to runaways, including resources, shelter, transportation, assistance in finding counseling, and transitioning back to home life. NRS frontline staff will also act as advocates and mediators if/as needed.

CRISIS (ANY AGE)

  • United Way Crisis Helpline: 1-800-233-HELP (4357)
  • Christian Oriented Hotline: 1-877-949-HELP (4357)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline Spanish: 1-800-942-6908
  • Battered Women and their Children: 1-800-603-HELP (4357)
  • RAINN 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
  • Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310
  • Dove Advocacy Center Crisis Line: 541-947-2449
  • Strong Hearts Native Hotline: 1 (844) 762–8483 Available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm
  • Pathways to Safety International: 1 (833) 723 – 3833 Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via phone, email, and online chat. Pathways to Safety International assists Americans experiencing interpersonal and gender based violence abroad.
  • VictimConnect: 1-855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) by Call or Text

Suicide Talk Line

  • Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE(784-2433)
  • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988
  • National Hopeline Network: (800) SUICIDE or 800-724-2499
  • 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-827-7571
  • Deaf Hotline: 1-800-799-4TTY
  • Holy Spirit Teen line: (717) 763-2345 or 1-800-722-5385
  • Crisis Intervention: (717) 232-7511
  • Carlisle Helpline: 717-249-6226

Human Trafficking

LGBTQ+

  • TrevorLifeline: 1-866-488-7386. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention phone service available 24/7/365
  • TrevorChat: Confidential online instant messaging with a Trevor counselor, available 24/7. Access through a computer
  • TrevorText: Text START to 678-678
  • The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564
  • The GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): (800) 246-7743 provides telephone, online private one-to-one chat and email peer-support, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States.
  • Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860 Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive

Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Hotlines

  • Crisis Text Line: Text “COALITION” to 741741
  • Strong Hearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483.
  • Live Another Day Helpline: 1-866-720-1044
  • SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 English / Spanish-speaking counselors facilitate referrals to treatment centers, support groups, and community services.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: En Espanol: 1-888-628-9454
  • National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights: Call 1-510-465-1984 – An organization working to defend and expand the rights of all immigrants and refugees, regardless of immigration status.
  • The Steve Fund: Text “STEVE” to 741741 to access a culturally trained Crisis Text Line counselor.
  • Racial Equity Support Line: 503-575-3764 (10AM-7PM Monday-Friday)

Faith Based Crisis Hotlines

  • Christians in Crisis: 1-844-472-9687 Call or Text
  • RemedyLIVE: Text 494949
  • The Upper Room(Catholic) Hotline: 1-888-808-8724 (7AM-Midnight Monday-Friday)

Mental Health Hotlines

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI) call 800-950-NAMI (6264) or Text “HelpLine” to 62640. In immediate crisis Text “NAMI” to 741-741 Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.
  • Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
  • Emotional Support Hotline: 713-970-7000 Option 1. Text “SUPPORT” to 832-479-2135
  • Panic Disorder Information Hotline: 1-800-64-PANIC

LIVE ONLINE CHAT/TEXT LINE

Just a note: These are resources that we have come across that may prove helpful to you. Please understand, we ARE NOT recommending or endorsing any of them. It is up to you to determine if they offer something you need and whether or not it is appropriate for your situation.

Information provided by http://activeminds.org and http://pleaselive.org