You do not have to handle this moment alone.
If you are in immediate danger, have taken steps to harm yourself or someone else, have overdosed, or are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
For immediate emotional support in the United States, call or text 988.
Skills That Matter is an education and training organization. We do not provide crisis counseling, emergency response, therapy, or clinical services through this website or its contact forms.
Start here: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, mental-health concerns, substance-use concerns, or another crisis.
You can also contact 988 if you are worried about someone else.
- Call: 988
- Text: 988
- Online chat: Available through the 988 Lifeline
- Spanish: Call 988 and press 2, or text AYUDA to 988
- TTY: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711, then 988
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing support: ASL videophone, text, chat, and other accessible options are available through 988.
Crisis Text Line
Text with a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor for support during a difficult moment.
- Text HOME to 741741
- Spanish: Text HOLA to 741741
- Available 24/7 in the United States
- Free and confidential support
When to call 911
Call 911 when there is an immediate threat to life or safety, including when someone:
- has already attempted suicide
- has taken an overdose or may have been poisoned
- has a weapon and may use it
- is actively harming themselves or someone else
- is unconscious, having a seizure, struggling to breathe, or cannot be awakened
- cannot be kept safe while other help is being arranged
Tell the dispatcher clearly that the situation involves a mental-health or suicide crisis. Share what has happened, whether there are weapons or medications present, and whether anyone is injured.
When it is safe and possible, stay with the person until help arrives.
Support for specific needs
Veterans, service members, and their loved ones
Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7 confidential crisis support for Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and people concerned about them. VA enrollment or benefits are not required.
- Call 988, then press 1
- Text 838255
- Online chat: Available through the Veterans Crisis Line
- TTY: Dial 711, then 988
LGBTQ+ young people
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project provides crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people.
- Call: 1-866-488-7386
- Text START to 678-678
- Online chat: Available through The Trevor Project
- Crisis counselors are available by phone, text, and chat.
Important: The former LGBTQ+ youth specialized option within 988, including “press 3” and texting “PRIDE,” ended in July 2025. LGBTQ+ callers can still contact 988 for general crisis support or contact The Trevor Project directly.
Transgender and questioning people
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline provides peer support by transgender and nonbinary operators for trans and questioning callers. You do not need to be in an immediate crisis to call.
- United States: 877-565-8860
- Canada: 877-330-6366
- Press 2 for Spanish
- Current published hours are Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time
- Trans Lifeline states that it does not initiate nonconsensual emergency rescue.
This is not a 24-hour line. For immediate danger or support outside its operating hours, use 988 or emergency services.
Domestic violence and relationship abuse
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Free, confidential support is available 24/7 for people experiencing domestic violence, people questioning whether a relationship is abusive, and those concerned about someone else.
- Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text START to 88788
- Online chat: Available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline
Digital-safety note: Internet and phone activity may be monitored by an abusive person. Use a safer device when possible. The Hotline advises that internet history may be difficult to erase completely.
Dating abuse for teens and young adults
Love Is Respect
Love Is Respect provides confidential support related to dating abuse, unhealthy relationships, and relationship concerns for teens, young adults, and their loved ones.
- Call: 1-866-331-9474
- Text LOVEIS to 22522
- Online chat: Available through Love Is Respect
- Available 24/7
Sexual assault or sexual abuse
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
RAINN provides 24/7 support, information, and local referrals for survivors of sexual assault or abuse and their loved ones.
- Call: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
- Text HOPE to 64673
- Online chat: Available through RAINN
- Spanish-language options are available.
Child abuse concerns
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Childhelp counselors can provide support, help someone think through a situation, explain reporting options, and connect callers with resources.
- Call or text: 1-800-422-4453
- Text GO to 1-800-422-4453
- Online chat: Available through Childhelp
- Counselors are available 24/7.
The Childhelp hotline is not a substitute for calling 911 when a child is in immediate danger.
Pregnant and postpartum people
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Free, confidential, 24/7 support is available for pregnant and postpartum people and their loved ones.
- Call or text: 1-833-TLC-MAMA
- Numeric number: 1-833-852-6262
- English- and Spanish-speaking counselors are available.
- Phone, text, and online chat options are offered.
Postpartum Support International HelpLine
Postpartum Support International provides information, peer support, and help locating perinatal mental-health resources.
- Call: 1-800-944-4773
- Press 1 for Spanish or 2 for English
- Text in English: 800-944-4773
- Text in Spanish: 971-203-7773
This is a support and referral line, not an emergency crisis hotline. Messages are returned during its published service hours. Use 988 or 911 for an immediate crisis.
Mental-health or substance-use treatment
SAMHSA National Helpline
SAMHSA’s National Helpline provides free, confidential treatment information and referrals for individuals and families facing mental-health or substance-use concerns.
- Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- TTY: 1-800-487-4889
- Available 24/7 in English and Spanish
- Online treatment searches are available through FindTreatment.gov.
This service provides treatment referrals and information. For an immediate emotional or suicidal crisis, call or text 988.
Poisoning, overdose, or medication exposure
Poison Control
For a possible poisoning, medication error, accidental ingestion, or substance exposure:
- Call: 1-800-222-1222
- Free, expert guidance is available 24/7
- Online assistance is available through webPOISONCONTROL.
Call 911 immediately if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened.
Food, housing, utilities, and local services
211
Call 211 to find local help with needs such as:
- emergency housing and shelter
- food assistance
- utilities
- transportation
- healthcare
- caregiver support
- disaster recovery
- local social services
211 connects callers with community resources based on location.
Helping someone else
When someone tells you they may be suicidal
Take them seriously. You do not have to find perfect words.
You might say:
“I’m glad you told me. I’m here with you.”
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
“Have you taken any steps to hurt yourself?”
“Let’s contact someone who can help us through this moment.”
Then:
- stay with them when it is safe to do so
- call or text 988 together
- listen without arguing, lecturing, shaming, or making promises you cannot keep
- ask whether they have access to a weapon, medication, or another method
- reduce access to immediate dangers only when you can do so safely
- involve a trusted family member, caregiver, supervisor, clinician, or emergency responder when needed
- call 911 if an attempt is underway, someone has already harmed themselves, or immediate safety cannot be maintained
You may contact 988 yourself for guidance about helping another person.
While you are waiting for help
When possible:
- move to a quieter or safer place
- stay near another trusted person
- put distance between yourself and anything you could use to cause harm
- avoid alcohol or drugs
- unlock the door for emergency responders when appropriate
- keep your phone charged and nearby
- focus only on getting through the next few minutes
- contact 988, a trusted person, or emergency services rather than remaining alone
You do not need to solve everything tonight. The immediate goal is to stay safe and connect with another person.
International crisis support
If you are outside the United States, call your country’s emergency number when there is immediate danger.
Because crisis-line numbers differ by country and may change, use a verified international directory to find the most appropriate service where you live.
Find A Helpline
Find A Helpline lists verified phone, text, and chat services by country and topic, including suicide, emotional distress, domestic violence, and other concerns.
Suggested button: Find Support in Your Country
Befrienders Worldwide
Befrienders Worldwide maintains a global network and directory of emotional-support and suicide-prevention centers.
Suggested button: Find a Befrienders Center
Important information about this page
Skills That Matter does not operate, supervise, or control the services listed here. Availability, hours, eligibility, privacy practices, and response procedures are determined by each provider and may change.
This page is provided for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for emergency services, clinical care, or professional advice.
Contact forms, emails, social-media accounts, and course platforms operated by Skills That Matter are not monitored as crisis services.
Reaching out counts.
You do not have to wait until things feel unbearable. Crisis services can also support you when you feel overwhelmed, frightened, isolated, or unsure what to do next.
Call or text 988
Call 911 for immediate danger