Free, confidential 24/7 support is available by text or call. If you are having a crisis, or just need someone to talk to, start by texting GOT5 to 741741.
We surveyed Crisis Text Line volunteers to understand how volunteering at the world’s largest helpline for mental health and suicide prevention has impacted their lives, relationships, and communities.
What is the Crisis Text Line?
A text line is a nonjudgmental, free and confidential way to receive support when you need it. You can text a keyword, like “4hope” or “HOME,” to 741741 and a trained counselor will respond within five minutes. They will help deescalate your situation and connect you to local resources and services. You can text the number as often as you need.
A national organization, Crisis Text Line is the first and largest provider of text-based mental health and crisis support. Using technology that’s available on most smartphones, it can connect people in distress with a trained volunteer counselor through a secure text message. The service is open to anyone in the United States.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is partnering with Crisis Text Line to offer a free, 24/7 text-based support service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Michigan residents can receive support by texting “RESTORE” to 741741. During this time, a trained counselor will answer your questions and provide information on how to access mental health support in your community. The partnership will also provide MDHHS with insights on how Michigan residents are using the service, which will help inform future efforts to expand mental health support services in the state.
Texting with a Counselor
Texting with a counselor is an option for those who aren’t comfortable talking on the phone or don’t have time to call a traditional mental health hotline. Whether they’re feeling down, stressed or overwhelmed, people can text STEVE to 741741 to be connected with a trained crisis counselor.
A trained volunteer Crisis Counselor will then reply to the person and engage in a conversation to help them work through their emotions, provide resources, or offer support. They’ll ask questions, listen to the person without judgment and empathize, and they’ll never make a texter share anything they don’t want to.
They’ll also refer the texter to emergency services or local mental health providers if necessary. This free and confidential service can be used 24/7. Using the service doesn’t count as suicide attempts or any other form of crisis. In fact, a recent study found that those who use this resource experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety after talking to a counselor. The researchers believe this is due to the positive impacts of the conversation, including being able to communicate in an intimate way and develop skills to cope with distressing situations. The research is ongoing.
Texting with a Crisis Counselor
Texters can send in their location and their problem, and counselors respond with empathy. Then they invite the texter to share more at their own pace, but never push them for information. The goal is to get them to a calmer, safer place, which often means offering resources or just being there for them and listening. Unlike a phone call, texters can’t see the counselors’ body language or hear their voice. Depending on the texter’s situation, the counselor can also dispatch emergency services.
The counselors’ conversations are anonymous and confidential, and they are not paid for their work. But the organization does survey its volunteers to learn more about how they are impacted by their work. Results of a recent study found that volunteering at Crisis Text Line has shaped their lives, relationships, and communities in many positive ways.
In addition to Crisis Text Line, there are several other organizations that provide phone and chat lines for those who need help. One example is the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth, which offers phone and chat support 24/7. The Trevor Project can be reached by texting “GOT5” to 741741 or calling 988. The service is free and available to anyone in the United States or Canada.