Crisis Text Line is a free, anonymous, and nationwide support service that uses trained volunteer crisis counselors to help people in distress. They offer assistance with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and more.
With a recent surge in the number of conversations and use of text-based services, there is an urgent need for more research into CTL users and their experiences.
Free and confidential
The crisis text line has a team of volunteers that help people who are struggling with mental health issues. They’re trained to respond to texts and are there to support anyone in need of a safe place to talk.
The service is free, anonymous and confidential. All you need to do is text a keyword to 741741 from anywhere in the US to start a conversation with a counselor.
This is a great resource that anybody can use, and it can help in any moment of distress or pain. It can be helpful in times of suicidal thoughts, bullying, a broken relationship or just feeling overwhelmed at school.
24/7
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, dealing with a traumatic event, or just need someone to talk to, Crisis Text Line is here to help. It’s free, confidential and available 24/7.
Our goal is to de-escalate your situation and work with you to identify your best options for seeking help locally. In less than 1% of our conversations, we engage in an “active rescue,” sending an Emergency Services Specialist to your phone to get you the immediate care you need.
When you reach a Crisis Counselor on the Text Line, they’ll introduce themselves and ask you about what’s going on in your life. They’ll invite you to share at your own pace, and they’ll actively listen – it’s all completely confidential.
Anonymity
When people are in a mental health crisis, they often want to talk to someone. Texting is a common form of communication, and a number of organizations offer free, confidential texting support.
This type of service is particularly helpful to millennials and Gen Zers, who are more comfortable using text messaging than calling for help. But like all technology, it has its downsides.
For instance, Crisis Text Line was recently accused of sharing its users’ data with a third-party company. In an effort to address the issue, the service re-designed its privacy policy to make it easier for people in a crisis to read. The organization also rolled out a new feature that allows users to review and delete their personal conversation data at any time.
Suicide prevention
Suicide is an incredibly complex issue that can be caused by a wide range of factors. These include health systems and society, relationship issues, mental illness, previous suicide attempts, and a variety of other situations.
While a mental health condition can be an important contributing factor to suicide, many people die by suicide without any known mental health problems. This suggests that a large part of the population may be suffering from undiagnosed or emerging mental disorders that are not spotted and treated by others around them.
The Crisis Text Line (CTL) is a unique crisis intervention platform that uses texting as an important mode of communication. In addition to texting, CTL also provides phone and webchat services. This allows them to reach people in crisis and their loved ones who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Accessibility
Everyday, people across the country struggle with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bullying and suicidal thoughts. They may feel like they’re alone in their struggles and are unable to turn to friends or family for support.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed or in crisis, Crisis Text Line is there to help. Just text “Got5” to 741741 or Got5U to 741741 for college students.
It’s free and anonymous and available 24/7, so you can reach out to a trained counselor whenever you need it. Texting a crisis counselor is just as easy as calling 911 or talking to a friend. We don’t work as a substitute for your doctor, therapist, or lawyer and are not to be confused with any other confidential services. Your privacy is very important to us!