Public resource
Mental health crisis and support resources
A plain-language directory of free, confidential support lines you can reach any time, plus what to expect when you call and how to help someone you care about. If you're in crisis right now, call or text 988.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Last reviewed June 17, 2026 · Editorial policy
24/7 crisis lines
Immediate support, any time
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 · chat at 988lifeline.org. Free, confidential, 24/7, English and Spanish.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 for a trained crisis counselor by text, 24/7. Text AYUDA for Spanish.
911 - emergencies
If you or someone near you is in immediate physical danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Call 1-800-662-4357 for free, confidential 24/7 treatment referral for mental health and substance use.
Disaster Distress Helpline
Call or text 1-800-985-5990 for 24/7 crisis counseling after a natural or human-caused disaster.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. 24/7, 200+ languages.
Community-specific support
Lines for specific communities
Veterans Crisis Line
Call 988 then press 1, or text 838255. Confidential support for veterans and their families, 24/7.
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth)
Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678. 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ young people.
Trans Lifeline
Call 1-877-565-8860. Peer support run by and for trans and questioning people.
Postpartum Support International
Call or text 1-800-944-4773 for support during pregnancy and after birth.
Conditions & families
Information and family support
NAMI HelpLine
Call 1-800-950-6264 (Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm ET) for information and support for individuals and families. Not a crisis line.
National Alliance for Eating Disorders
Call 1-866-662-1235 (Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm ET) for a clinician-staffed eating-disorder referral helpline.
These are independent organizations, not affiliated with shrinkMD. Numbers are provided for convenience and may change; when in doubt, dial 988.
Choosing a line
Which one should I contact?
For any mental health or suicidal crisis, 988 is the simplest choice: it routes to trained counselors 24/7 by call, text, or chat, and they can connect you to local resources. Prefer texting? Use Crisis Text Line at 741741. Facing a specific situation, an addiction question, a disaster, domestic violence, or support for a particular community, use the dedicated lines above, which are staffed by people who specialize in exactly that.
If there is a weapon, an overdose, or someone is unconscious or in immediate physical danger, that is a 911 emergency. When you're not sure, it is always okay to call 988 first and let a counselor help you decide.
What to expect
What actually happens when you contact 988
A trained crisis counselor answers, listens without judgment, and helps you through the moment. Most conversations are resolved right there on the phone or by text; you talk through what's happening, what might help, and what to do next. You can stay anonymous, and you can call about yourself or about someone you're worried about.
A common fear is that calling means police or an ambulance will show up. In reality, the large majority of 988 contacts are handled entirely by the counselor without any emergency dispatch; that step is reserved for situations of imminent, life-threatening danger. Worry about that outcome keeps people from reaching out, so it's worth saying plainly: reaching out is far more likely to bring a calm conversation than a crisis response.
Helping someone else
How to support a person in crisis
If someone tells you they're struggling, take it seriously, stay calm, and listen more than you talk. Ask directly and without euphemism whether they're thinking about suicide; asking doesn't plant the idea, and it often brings relief. Remove access to means if you safely can, and don't promise secrecy you can't keep.
You don't have to fix it alone. You can call or text 988 yourself for guidance on supporting them, sit with them while they reach out, or, if they're in immediate danger, call 911 and stay until help arrives. Afterward, keep checking in; ongoing connection matters more than any single conversation.
Children and teens
If you're worried about a young person
Warning signs in kids and teens can look like withdrawal, giving away belongings, sudden changes in sleep or mood, or talk of being a burden. Approach gently and without panic, ask open questions, and let them know you're there no matter what they say.
988 serves all ages, and LGBTQ+ youth can reach the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or by texting START to 678-678. For schools and parents, NAMI's HelpLine (1-800-950-6264) can point you to youth-specific resources and local support.
After the immediate crisis
The step that prevents the next one
Crisis lines stabilize the moment. What keeps people well over time is ongoing care, a consistent clinician who knows your history and adjusts the plan as life changes.
- A psychiatric evaluation to understand what's driving the distress.
- A treatment plan, which may include therapy, medication, or both.
- Regular follow-up with the same clinician, not a revolving door.
- A safety plan you build together for hard days ahead.
shrinkMD provides scheduled, non-emergency online psychiatry for adults. It isn't a substitute for emergency services, but it's how the steadier, longer work of recovery happens.
Lowering the barrier
Myths that stop people from calling
Myth: 988 is only for people who are suicidal.
Fact: 988 is for any mental health or substance use crisis, including overwhelming anxiety, panic, or worry about someone else. You don't have to be suicidal to call.
Myth: They'll send the police or commit me.
Fact: The vast majority of contacts are resolved by phone or text with no emergency dispatch. That step is reserved for imminent, life-threatening danger.
Myth: It costs money or I need insurance.
Fact: All the lines listed here are free and confidential. Standard carrier text or data rates may apply to text services.
Keep exploring
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
What number do I call for a mental health crisis?
Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 across the United States. You can also text HOME to 741741. If someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911.
Is 988 only for suicidal thoughts?
No. You can reach 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis, including overwhelming anxiety, emotional distress, or worry about someone else. You don't have to be suicidal to call.
Will calling 988 send the police to my home?
Usually not. The large majority of 988 contacts are resolved by the counselor over phone or text without any emergency dispatch. Emergency services are involved only when there's imminent, life-threatening danger.
Are these helplines free?
Yes. All the lines listed here are free and confidential. Standard text or data rates from your carrier may apply to text services.
How can I help someone who's in crisis?
Listen calmly, ask directly whether they're thinking about suicide, remove access to means if you safely can, and help them contact 988 or, if they're in immediate danger, call 911 and stay with them.
Does shrinkMD provide emergency or crisis care?
No. shrinkMD provides scheduled, non-emergency online psychiatric care for established patients. For emergencies, use 911 or the crisis lines above.
Related reading
shrinkMD offers board-certified telepsychiatry by secure video. See where we offer care and how care works.
In a crisis, call or text 988, or reach the SAMHSA National Helpline.
Explore the Shrink Network
shrinkMD is part of a connected family of mental health resources. For more on this topic, explore:
Looking for ongoing, non-emergency psychiatric care?
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