The Crisis Text Line is a free text message service that can help people in crisis. Texts are confidential and available 24 hours a day. The service also uses advanced machine learning and sentiment analysis to triage messages and ensure that they are sent to the right person at the right time. Its integration with other messaging platforms reduces barriers to reaching help. Currently, more than 17.5 million people text the Crisis Text Line every month. For more information, visit crisistextline.org.
Founded in 2013, the Crisis Text Line is a free resource for people in crisis. Trained Crisis Counselors are available 24/7 to provide emotional support and information. To use the service, text “HOME” to 741741. You can also make it a part of your disaster response efforts by making this resource known to survivors. The service is available free of charge, but standard messaging charges may apply depending on your cell service provider. This free resource is available to anyone in the United States.
Crisis can happen at any time. It doesn’t have to be life-threatening. The Crisis Text Line is a free, confidential text line for people in crisis. You can text the line for help any time of the day or night. Texting the service is anonymous and quick, making it a valuable option for people in need of support. Even adults who do not consider themselves to be a “crisis” can receive immediate help.
Because of the need for 24-hour crisis support, the Crisis Text Line has a 24/7 service. Their goal was to find a communications platform that could handle high messaging volumes, prioritize calls based on the severity of the crisis, and scale easily as their needs grew. The Crisis Text Line’s response time measures by minutes and days, with average responses of only five minutes or 1.4 minutes. So if a person needs help, text Crisis Text Line today.
SUNY’s new mental health resource page includes a crisis text line. To reach a Crisis Counselor, simply text STEVE to 741-741. The Crisis Text Line can alleviate emotional challenges, such as suicidal thoughts or substance use. It can also be used to discuss topics related to domestic violence, substance use, and the COVID-19 pandemic. With this new service, the community can talk about their issues without fear of judgment.
In addition to providing crisis counseling, the Crisis Text Line empowers a community of trained volunteers to respond to messages from those in need of help. By leveraging the dominant communication medium, the Crisis Text Line can reach underserved demographics and address mental health issues in a more effective and efficient way. The text message service responds to messages within minutes, and a Crisis Counselor responds to the text in order to assess the risk, de-escalate the situation, and create a plan for continued safety.