If you are overwhelmed, spiraling, or scared of your own thoughts right now, this page is for you. These are the most important mental health crisis numbers in the United States. They are free and confidential. They are available around the clock. And you do not have to be at rock bottom to use them.
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988: The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
This is the most direct line to crisis support in the United States. When you call or text 988, a real person answers, not a recording or a voicemail. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
You do not have to wait until things are at a breaking point. The 988 line exists for the middle of the crisis, not just the edge of it.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text: 988
You can also chat at 988lifeline.org
- ✓ Worried about someone else
- ✓ Feeling suicidal or thinking about self-harm
- ✓ In the middle of a mental health crisis
- ✓ Feeling hopeless, empty, or like things will never change
- ✓ Overwhelmed, anxious, or unable to cope
Is 988 free? Yes, always.
Is it confidential? Yes.
Can you text instead of call? Yes.
Is there a chat option? Yes, at 988lifeline.org.
Do you have to be suicidal to reach out? No. Emotional overwhelm is enough reason.
Crisis Support for People of Color
Mental health crises do not happen in a vacuum. Racial stress, generational trauma, discrimination, and cultural stigma are real and they shape how crisis feels and what kind of support actually helps. These lines were built with that in mind.
POC Crisis Text Line
POC Crisis Text Line
Text STEVE to 741741
This connects you with a trained crisis counselor through the Crisis Text Line, with a focus on supporting People of Color. The counselor on the other end understands the specific weight that racial identity can carry in a crisis moment.
BIPOC Phone and Text Line
BIPOC Phone & Text Line
This line centers the lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Counselors are trained to offer culturally responsive support from a place that understands the intersection of race, identity, and mental health. You deserve care that does not require you to explain your context from scratch.
LGBTQ+ Crisis Lines
Identity-affirming support is not a luxury. It is a clinical need. These lines exist because general crisis lines, even well-meaning ones, do not always have the training or language to hold LGBTQ+ experiences with the care they deserve.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project — LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Support
Text START to 678678
Chat at thetrevorproject.org
- ✓ 24/7 crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ young people
- ✓ Free and confidential, always
- ✓ Safe for questioning, scared, or anyone needing affirming support
- ✓ No judgment required to call
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline — Peer Support by and for Trans People
Trans Lifeline is peer support run by and for trans people. Visit translifeline.org for more. If you want to speak with someone who understands the trans experience from the inside, this line was built for exactly that reason. No explanation required.
What Actually Happens When You Call or Text a Crisis Line
A lot of people hesitate to reach out because they do not know what to expect, or they worry about what might happen to them. Here is what the process typically looks like:
- A real person answers. Not a bot. Not a recording. A trained crisis counselor.
- They listen first. You will not be immediately transferred or assessed before being heard.
- They help you slow things down. Crisis counselors are trained to help you regulate, not just evaluate risk.
- Together, you figure out next steps. That might mean a safety plan, local resources, or just staying on the line until you feel more stable.
- You stay in control. Crisis lines are not designed to automatically send police. Emergency services are only involved if there is immediate, life-threatening danger.
If you are in immediate physical danger, call 911.
When Should You Reach Out? You Do Not Have to Wait
There is no threshold you have to cross before you are allowed to ask for help. You do not need to be in the “worst” moment of your life. You do not need to be actively suicidal.
- ⟶ You are thinking about harming yourself
- ⟶ You feel hopeless, empty, or like things will never get better
- ⟶ You cannot calm your nervous system no matter what you try
- ⟶ You are scared of what you might do if left alone
- ⟶ You need someone live, right now, at 2 a.m.
- ⟶ You are worried about a friend or family member
Save These Numbers Before You Need Them
Put at least one of these in your phone right now. Not because you plan to use it. Because when your brain is overwhelmed, support should be one tap away.
| Line | Who It Serves | How to Reach |
|---|---|---|
| 988 Lifeline | Anyone in the U.S. in crisis | Call or text 988 |
| POC Crisis Text Line | People of Color | Text STEVE to 741741 |
| BIPOC Phone & Text Line | Black, Indigenous & POC | Call/text 800-604-5841 |
| The Trevor Project | LGBTQ+ youth | 866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 |
| Trans Lifeline | Trans people | 877-565-8860 |
FAQ: Common Questions About Mental Health Crisis Lines
No. You can reach 988 any time you are struggling emotionally, even if you are not suicidal. Anxiety, panic, grief, or feeling like you cannot cope are all valid reasons to call or text.
Yes. Crisis lines are confidential in almost all cases. Counselors will only contact emergency services if they believe you are in immediate, life-threatening danger and cannot keep yourself safe. Confidentiality policies may vary slightly by line and circumstance.
A trained counselor answers, listens to what you are going through, and helps you work through what you are feeling. They may help you create a safety plan or connect you with local resources. You are not automatically sent to a hospital or reported to authorities.
Yes. The Trevor Project provides 24/7 free and confidential support for LGBTQ+ young people. Call 866-488-7386 or text START to 678678.
The BIPOC Phone and Text Line (800-604-5841) offers culturally responsive support centered on the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. You can also text STEVE to 741741 for the POC Crisis Text Line.
Yes. You can reach 988 and other lines if you are concerned about someone else. Counselors can help you figure out what to do and how to support your loved one safely.
Crisis lines are for right now. Therapy is for what comes next.
If you have been thinking about finding a therapist who actually fits your life, background, and schedule, TeleWellness Hub makes it easier. Search licensed providers by specialty, identity focus, and availability. No insurance maze. No directory clutter.
TeleWellness Hub Editorial Team
This resource was compiled by the TeleWellness Hub editorial team, a provider-first health and wellness directory supporting independent mental health practitioners and the clients they serve. Our content is reviewed for accuracy, clinical relevance, and community alignment. We do not monetize crisis resources. About TeleWellness Hub
