Crisis Text Line is a free and anonymous helpline that connects people in crisis to trained counselors. You can call them anytime with any question or issue. All you have to do is text “Got5” to 741741.
Working at Crisis Text Line can be rewarding and challenging. It is a great place to start or to build your career.
Free and confidential
If you need help coping with an issue, Crisis Text Line is there to support you. They offer free, 24/7 emotional support in a confidential and anonymous way through chat or text. They will also connect you to local resources and organizations that can provide further assistance.
You will be assigned a counselor who is trained to help you navigate your situation. They will ask you questions and listen to you without judgment. They will not tell you what to do or give you advice, but they can help you weigh your options and provide information about local resources.
The National Federation of State High School Associations has partnered with Crisis Text Line to encourage students to utilize this service. This partnership supports the 2021-2025 NFHS Strategic Plan and Board of Directors Priorities, which both address student mental, emotional and physical wellness. If you need help navigating an issue, text REACH to 741-741 from anywhere in the United States. A trained Crisis Counselor will respond within minutes.
24 hours a day
Whether you’re in the middle of a crisis or simply need someone to talk to, we’ve got your back. Our trained Crisis Counselors are here to listen and support you.
Crisis Text Line is a global not-for-profit that provides free and confidential mental health support through SMS messaging. They have a variety of resources available 24/7 including a suicide hotline and an app for people in crisis, as well as free counseling services via SMS messaging.
When you text HELP to 741741, you will be connected with a volunteer Crisis Counselor who will help you sort through your feelings by asking questions, empathizing and actively listening. They will also help you move from your “hot moment” to a more calm and safe place.
Our volunteers go through a rigorous training process that includes de-escalating crisis situations, providing emotional support, navigating risk assessment and safety planning. They volunteer from their homes, which eliminates transportation costs and makes volunteering much more flexible around busy schedules.
365 days a year
Text REACH to 741-741 to get help from a trained Crisis Counselor. The service is free, though standard messaging rates may apply based on your phone plan.
Volunteers work from home, allowing them to work around their busy lives. They are trained to have compassionate conversations and support people as they navigate mental health challenges. They work with people who are experiencing a range of crises including relationship issues, depression, substance misuse, thoughts of suicide, and self-harm.
Texters say they are most often feeling sad or depressed. They are also more likely to talk about anxiety and stress. During the pandemic, Crisis Text Line saw an increase in people who were grieving — the highest rate the company has ever seen.
No judgment
Crisis Text Line doesn’t judge texters or tell them what to do. Instead, they de-escalate the situation and connect them to help locally. They also provide resources for the person in distress, which might include information about housing or food assistance.
Volunteer Crisis Counselors have held 1.3 million conversations so far during the pandemic. Some of the top issues they’ve encountered include high levels of anxiety, which spiked in the early months of the pandemic. Other common challenges are grief and eating and body image concerns.
In a 2018 interview with Mashable, Lublin described how Loris leveraged Conversation AI to teach companies “elusive conversational skills.” But critics accused the company of using its access to anonymized Crisis Text Line data for commercial purposes, including to sell customer service optimization software.
Facebook has a partnership with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to let people in crisis talk to a counselor through Messenger. If you’re in a crisis, you can start a conversation by typing BRAVE to 741741. You can also use the keywords STEVE or SHIELD on Facebook Messenger to get support for mental health and emotional wellbeing.