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Who to contact during a mental health crisis
Published December 13, 2024
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- behavioral health
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health crisis, know that there are free resources with trained counselors available to help.
Who should I call during a crisis?
You can get help 24/7 by:
- Calling 988,
- Texting 988 or
- Chatting online at 988lifeline.org.
988 is available in American Sign Language online.
Personas que hablan español ahora pueden conectarse directamente con consejeros para crisis de habla hispana:
- Llamando al 988 al presionar la opción 2
- Enviando un mensaje de texto con la palabra "AYUDA" al 988
- Chateando en línea en 988lineadevida.org o 988Lifeline.org.
What counts as a mental health crisis?
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is for people with any type of behavioral health crisis, such as:
- Mental health-related distress,
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or
- Substance use crisis.
What if someone I love is in crisis?
If someone you love is in crisis, you can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by:
- Calling 988,
- Texting 988 or
- Chatting online at 988lifeline.org.
Who answers when I contact the crisis line?
Regardless of whether you call, text, or chat, when you call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a trained counselor provides support and shares resources, if needed. If your local crisis center is unable to answer, you are automatically routed to a national backup crisis center. Every interaction is confidential.
Who runs the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline?
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a branch of the U.S. Federal government with offices in every state.
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