Key points
- If you need help now, call a crisis hotline to get immediate emergency counseling.
- Hotlines are staffed by trained volunteers with text and chat often available.
- There are mental health provider directories and substance use treatment locators available.
- You can access resources for basic needs such as housing and food.
Taking immediate action
988 Suicide & crisis lifeline
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, confidential, free, 24/7/365 help is available.
- Call or text 988
- Chat at 988lifeline.org
- TTY users can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
Note: The 988 line automatically routes calls by your phone's area code to the nearest crisis center.
Need help now?
Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis.
Veterans and active-duty military
- Veterans Crisis Line - Reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many responders are veterans
- Call 988 and press 1
- Crisis Chat or text 838255
- Call 988 and press 1
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Resources
- Help for Military Service Members and Their Families
- Make the Connection - Stories, videos, and mental health info for veterans
LGBTQ+
- LGBTQ+ youth: Call 988, press 3, or text "Q" for specialized support from the helpline
- Trans Lifeline: Trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. Call 1-877-565-8860
- The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning youth
- 1-866-488-7386
- Text "START" to 678-678
- Online Chat
- 1-866-488-7386
Maternal mental health
- If you are pregnant or just had a baby and in need of mental health support, call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262)
- For additional resources about the emotional changes that women experience during and after pregnancy, see Postpartum Support International - PSI
Natural disasters and human-caused disasters
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7/365 crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters
- Call or Text 1-800-985-5990
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing ASL users can call the hotline via their videophone-enabled device or click on "ASL Now" at samhsa.gov/ddh to connect directly with crisis counselors fluent in ASL
- For additional information on coping with disasters, see CDC's Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event
- Call or Text 1-800-985-5990
Getting help
Mental health service providers
Where to start
- FindSupport.gov for health care or support, treatment options, treatment payment options, ways to cope, and to assist others with finding treatment
- How to find a health professional for mental health, drugs, or alcohol, including help for people without insurance (SAMHSA)
- What Type of Mental Health Provider Should I See? (Mental Health America)
- Tips for Choosing a Provider & Where to Start (Mental Health America)
Provider directories
- Find a Psychiatrist - American Psychiatric Association
- Find a Psychologist - American Psychological Association
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder - American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Find a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist - Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
- Directories of Mental Health Service Providers (Mental Health America)
- Find a Therapist, Psychologist, Counselor (Psychology Today)
Note: Pediatricians and other healthcare professionals who interact regularly with children can help support children's mental health and work with families to identify when specialist care is needed for diagnosis and treatment.
- To find a pediatrician near you, visit HealthyChildren.org, a service of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) practice organization
- If you need insurance coverage, learn more about enrolling in Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or a Marketplace plan at HealthCare.gov
- If your child does not qualify for insurance coverage, you can get low-cost health care at a nearby community health center
Treatment and support
Mental and Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Visit findtreatment.gov – a confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories, OR connect with SAMHSA's National Helpline:
- Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Text your 5-digit ZIP Code to 435748 (HELP4U). Reply HELP to reach an information specialist
- TTY 1-800-487-4889
Support groups / peer support
- Find a support group for mental health, drugs, alcohol | SAMHSA
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a free, nationwide peer-support service
- They provide information, resource referrals, and support to people living with mental health conditions, their caregivers, and mental health providers
- Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
- They provide information, resource referrals, and support to people living with mental health conditions, their caregivers, and mental health providers
Basic needs
- If you need help finding food or paying for housing or other essential services, use the 211 website or call the hotline to speak to someone who can help
- To understand more about federal benefits available to families with children under age 12, visit: Resource Benefits Guide for Families with Children 0-12 (hhs.gov)
- The Eldercare Locator connects you to services for older adults and their families:
- Call 1-800-677-1116
- TTY users can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then instruct the relay operator to connect you to 1-800-677-1116
- Call 1-800-677-1116
Resources
Other crisis lines
Violence / abuse
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available by phone, text, or online chat. Services are also available in Spanish and for TTY.
- 800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text "START" to 88788
- TTY 800-787-3224
The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available by phone and online chat for survivors and their loved ones. Services are free, confidential, and available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
National Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-888-373-7888. You can reach the Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in more than 200 languages. All calls are confidential and answered live by highly trained Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates.
The National Child Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 and offers a wide variety of support resources from professional crisis counselors.
- 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453)
- Text 1-800-422-4453
The National Runaway Safeline's mission is to keep America's runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. Youth can call or text 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) to connect with a trusted, compassionate person. They will listen and help you create a plan to address your concerns.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). After you have reported your child missing to law enforcement, they can offer technical assistance. Each case is tailored to help ensure all available search and recovery methods are used.