Talk with a crisis counselor
For emotional distress, thoughts of suicide, or concern about someone else. Call, text, or chat with a trained crisis counselor.
Real help • Your choice
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Choose what feels closest. You can call, text, chat, or read first. There is no perfect way to begin.
U.S.-based starting points. Availability and eligibility can vary.
Need support right now?
Choose the option that fits what is happening—not what you think you are supposed to choose.
Get emergency response
For an urgent threat to life or safety, a serious medical emergency, fire, or a crime in progress.
Not sure which fits? 988 is for emotional support and crisis de-escalation. 911 is for urgent threats to life or physical safety, serious medical emergencies, fire, or crimes in progress.
Start where you are
What feels closest today?
You do not need a diagnosis or the perfect words. Pick one place to start, or show every option.
Immediate
911 Emergency Services
For an urgent threat to life or safety, a serious medical emergency, fire, or a crime in progress.
Crisis support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Emotional support for you or someone you care about by call, text, or chat.
Child safety
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Questions or support about child abuse. A counselor can listen and help explain possible next steps, 24/7.
Relationship safety
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Support for relationship abuse, safety planning, and finding local services.
Sexual violence
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
Support after sexual assault or abuse—for survivors and people who care about them, 24/7.
Treatment
SAMHSA Find Help
Find treatment and support for mental health, drug, or alcohol concerns. No diagnosis is required to start looking.
Information
NAMI HelpLine
Information, practical guidance, and peer-informed support for mental health questions. This is not a crisis line.
Bullying
StopBullying.gov
Clear steps for young people, parents, and educators responding to bullying or cyberbullying.
Local essentials
211
Find local help with food, housing, bills, transportation, health care, and other basic needs.
Housing
HUD Housing Counseling
Connect with a HUD-approved counselor about renting, homeownership, foreclosure, or homelessness.
Legal
Legal Services Corporation
Find nonprofit civil legal-aid organizations serving low-income people with civil legal problems.
Child welfare
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Federal information about child abuse reporting, prevention, foster care, adoption, and family support. This is not a crisis line.
LGBTQ+ youth
The Trevor Project
Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people by call, text, or chat.
Trans peer support
Trans Lifeline
Peer support from trans people for trans and questioning people, even when you are not in crisis. Check current hours.
Veterans crisis
Veterans Crisis Line
24/7 crisis support for Veterans, service members, and people who care about them. VA enrollment is not required.
Veterans housing
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
Housing help for Veterans who are homeless or may lose their housing, and for people supporting them, 24/7.
Your privacy • Your choice
Before you reach out
It is okay to ask what will happen next and how your information may be used before you share your story.
What “confidential” means at 988
You can receive support without giving your name or location. Confidential does not mean anonymous: 988 may receive your phone number or chat IP address, calls may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance, and information can be shared in limited circumstances such as imminent risk or when required by law.
Need to leave this page quickly?
Internet, call, and text activity can sometimes be monitored and may not be completely erasable. Use a safer device if you can. Clear history only if doing so will not raise suspicion.
Opens Weather.gov in this tab. It does not erase browser, call, or text history.
GhostHeart does not ask you to enter personal details on this page. GhostHeart is not a crisis, medical, legal, housing, or emergency-response service; these links connect to outside organizations with their own services and privacy rules.