Crisis Text Line is the largest provider of text-based crisis intervention in the United States. Its volunteers answer texts 24/7, offering help and hope to anyone in crisis.
To contact a counselor, text STEVE to 741741. You can discuss anything at your own pace with a trained Crisis Counselor.
Free and confidential
Unlike phone hotlines, which are usually run by government agencies and charge you for calls, Crisis Text Line is free to use for anyone. A trained counselor will respond to your text and help you figure out the best way to get support and resources. The counselor will also help you de-escalate your situation and connect you with local services if needed.
Whether you’re having trouble balancing school, friendships and your home life, or struggling with a breakup, Crisis Text Line can provide the emotional support you need. They’re available 24/7 and can be reached by texting 741741.
Volunteer counselors undergo 34 hours of online training before they start their first conversation. They’re taught to empathize with their texters and encourage them to think through options, rather than interrogating them. They’re also encouraged to use prompts like “I’m here for you” and “What are your goals?”.
24/7
The service provides free and confidential crisis counseling, emotional support, and information about mental health services available in your area. It connects you to trained crisis counselors via phone, text, and online chat. It also offers information and resources in Spanish and other languages.
It typically takes less than five minutes to connect with a trained crisis counselor. They will listen empathetically and without judgment, helping you sort through your feelings at your own pace. It is normal for your emotions to be intense in a crisis conversation, but you don’t have to share anything you don’t want to.
Many helplines are available 24/7, so you can reach out for support anytime. Kids Help Phone, for example, is a 24/7 service for youth in Canada that provides phone, chat, and app support with trained counselors. The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention and crisis intervention service for LGBTQ young people, also provides phone, chat, and app support 24/7.
No strings attached
Crisis Text Line is a free, 24/7 service for people in crisis. When someone is struggling, they can text the keyword HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor who will support them through their situation. The conversations are confidential, non-judgmental, and safe. The number does not appear on your phone bill, and data usage is minimal.
A text conversation with a CC is different than a phone call or face-to-face counseling session, but it’s still person-centered. We want to learn more about how the service impacts people’s lives. For example, we’re examining whether the ability of CCs to reduce suicidal thoughts for nearly half of suicidal texters is comparable to the effectiveness of psychotherapy.
Being a Crisis Counselor is the most rewarding volunteer experience I’ve had. It’s a great opportunity to help people in their most vulnerable times, but it also teaches you so much about yourself. This work has changed my life, and I’m so proud to be a part of this organization.
Trustpilot
Whether you need support for depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or just someone to listen, Crisis Text Line has trained volunteers who are ready to help. Just text HOME to 741741 in the US.
Crisis Text Line (CTL) is the largest provider of a free, 24/7 text-based crisis intervention service in the United States. In the first eight years of operation, CTL has served over four million people in distress.
This study surveyed 3,438 past and current volunteer Crisis Counselors to explore how their experience volunteering with CTL has shaped their lives, relationships, and communities. This research offers important insights as the nation prepares to launch 988, a nationwide three-digit number for suicide prevention and mental health crisis supports that will include texting. The research focuses on examining the impact of CTL conversations and the extent to which texters perceive their CCs’ genuine concern. In addition, it aims to assess how these conversations influence texters’ perceived relief at the end of their conversation.