Crisis Text Line is a free service that allows users to talk to a trained counselor via text message. The service is available 24/7 and provides support for anyone in need.
Researchers analyzed de-identified Crisis Counselor (CC) reports and voluntary texter post-conversation surveys from 85,877 CTL conversations over 12 months. They looked at the relationships between these variables and outcomes such as hope, depressive symptoms, and suicide ideation.
Free
If you text 741741 during a crisis, you will be connected to a trained volunteer Counselor. The Counselor will ask you questions, listen to you and help you find resources to get to a cool, safe place. You can talk about anything you are struggling with. It could be a relationship issue, a financial problem, depression, suicide thoughts or anything else that you are dealing with.
Crisis Text Line volunteers go through an extensive application and training process and commit to taking four hours out of their week to work with people in crisis. The organization uses advanced data and AI to improve the quality of its service and support research on issues facing people in crisis.
Prior to adopting Databricks, Crisis Text Line relied on a legacy infrastructure that resulted in simple queries timing out and numerous points of failure. Now, the organization is leveraging the Databricks platform to centralize its data and deliver advanced AI models like a conversation simulator that improves volunteer training.
Confidential
When you text BRAVE to Crisis Text Line or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the person on the other end of the phone is trained and caring. They’re here to listen and help you work through rough patches and access resources locally. They’ll de-escalate the situation and alert emergency services if they think it’s necessary.
They also don’t ask you for your name or identifying information. The conversation is between you and your Crisis Counselor, and it’s private. You can text about anything, from feeling suicidal to job stress or a breakup. “A crisis to you is a crisis to us,” Raja says.
People of all ages use the service, but it’s particularly popular among young people. A recent study found that 76% of Crisis Text Line users were under the age of 24. This may be because people can feel more socially and emotionally safe when they’re able to reveal their feelings over text.
24 Hours a Day
A growing number of crisis lines offer texting and chat support as well as phone advice. These services are a great resource for those who prefer not to talk on the phone, or need to be discreet about their situation.
Crisis counselors are trained to help individuals navigate difficult situations. They can also provide information about mental health and substance abuse resources in their area. They will listen empathetically and without judgment. They can even help people find a safe place to stay during a crisis.
Often times, individuals call a crisis line because they want to help someone else. They can ask a Crisis Counselor how to best support their friend through their struggle. The service is available to anyone. Those who need to reach out can use the service by calling or texting 988. The line is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a free service, and interpretation services are available.
No Registration Required
This service works like a phone hotline, but texters can talk with counselors in their own language. They can also get information about local resources. The counselors are trained in active listening, crisis de-escalation and safety planning. They can even help texters create a plan to get the help they need.
When a person texts BRAVE to 741741, a crisis counselor will respond within minutes and will help them find local resources. The crisis line may contact police if there are concerns about child abuse or the person is in danger of harming themselves or others. Otherwise, they will keep all conversations private and confidential.
Volunteers can start working as soon as they complete their training. They can sign up for shifts on the Crisis Text Line platform and schedule them to fit their schedule. In addition to training, volunteers must agree to undergo a background check. This helps ensure that volunteers don’t have a history that would prevent them from helping people in need.