Getting Help in a Crisis
Do you need help now?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If you feel you are in a crisis and need to speak to someone immediately and you live in the United States, you can call:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. Lifeline is a free, confidential, 24 hour hotline for anyone who is going through emotional distress or is in suicidal crisis.
Another option if you are feeling distressed is to call the Boys Town National Hotline at 1-800-448-3000, available 24/7, and also available for email support online at http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/aboutus/Pages/ContactForm.aspx or through a live chat feature at https://secure.yourlifeyourvoice.org/YLYV_Chat.
If you are a victim of child abuse or know someone who is being abused, please call the Child Help Line at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).
Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Poison control is a free, 24 hour hotline for anyone in need of medical information and resources for poisoning, including alcohol and household cleaners.
Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1- 800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at http://apps.rainn.org/ohl-bridge RAINN is a free, confidential and secure crisis hotline 24/7 for victims of sexual assault or violence as well as their friends and families.
National Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 or online at http://www.loveisrespect.org/. loveisrespect.org is the ultimate resource to engage, educate and empower youth and young adults to prevent and end abusive relationships.
National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). 1-800-RUNAWAY is an anonymous and free 24 hour crisis line for anyone who might want to run-away from home or find themselves homeless. This hotline can also help if you want to come home if you are on the run or have a friend who is looking for help and is thinking about running away or is already on the run.
The Trevor Project at 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386) or online at http://www.thetrevorproject.org/helpline.aspx The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The Trevor Project operates the only accredited, nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. If you or a friend are feeling lost or alone, call The Trevor Helpline. There is hope, there is help.
TEEN LINE at 1-800-852-8336 is a teen-to-teen hotline and community outreach program that has been around for over 30 years. Over 10,000 teens contact TEEN LINE each year by calling, texting or emailing in at http://teenlineonline.org/. The line is open every night from 6-10pm PST to help adolescents address their problems in a confidential, anonymous and comfortable manner.
ReachOut
ReachOut does not provide online, email or telephone counseling but you may feel that you want to read more. The Get Help section of ReachOut can give you information about how to get help in a crisis; how to find the right people to support you over a period of time; what types of treatments options you might have; how you can help a friend on a lot of issues they might be dealing with and how to figure out if you need help.
You might also want to read these fact sheets if you are worried about yourself or a friend.
Photo by Summer Skyes 11
Last updated 3/18/13
