Text “STEVE” to 741741 to be connected with a trained Crisis Counselor. You can talk about anything — from depression to relationship issues.
Mental health crisis services have recently expanded beyond telephone hotlines to include text-based services. The largest such service is Crisis Text Line (CTL). This study evaluated texters’ experiences with CTL using anonymized CC reports and voluntary texter surveys.
What We Do
Crisis Lines offer free, confidential support and crisis intervention via text or phone. Whether you are feeling sad, worried or alone, or if you are having suicidal thoughts, there is someone available to talk with you. They are there to listen, not judge, and will never call CPS or your parents. They will only contact the police if they think you are in danger of harming yourself or others.
Founded by Nancy Lublin, the organization uses technology and volunteer Crisis Counselors to connect people in need with rapid support and help. It is the largest free, 24/7, multilingual e-mental health service in the US and reaches underserved demographics that skew young, rural, and low-income.
When you text BRAVE to 741741, a trained Crisis Counselor will respond within minutes to de-escalate the situation and work with the person to identify local resources. They will also only engage emergency services in less than 1% of all situations.
How We Do It
As the largest provider of text-based crisis intervention services, Crisis Text Line connects with people across the country who are having suicidal thoughts or are in a mental health emergency. The nonprofit relies on a network of volunteers to provide compassionate, non-judgmental and empathetic support over text message.
Volunteers go through a rigorous screening process that includes training and ongoing assessment to ensure they can best help people in crisis. They are also required to complete a post-conversation survey.
This study examined data from anonymized CC reports and voluntary surveys that are collected from all crisis text conversations except those requiring an “active rescue” (intervention by emergency services). The study’s strength lies in the large sample size, allowing us to examine the relationship between outcomes and several texter characteristics including symptom severity and perceived engagement with their CC, important aspects of person-centered care.
To reach the service, text BRAVE to 741741, or you can chat directly on Facebook. Unlike other social media sites, your communication with either of these services will remain private and confidential.
What You Can Expect
Balancing school, friends and responsibilities at home can be tough on teenagers. If they’re ever feeling overwhelmed, they can text BRAVE to 741741. The first two automated responses tell them that they are being connected with a Crisis Counselor who is ready to listen and support them.
When the conversation starts, counselors empathize, ask questions and encourage the texter to share at their own pace. They’re trained to help them navigate their feelings and identify resources, and they never force someone into a solution or impose their own agenda.
They’ll check in with the texter and work together to de-escalate the situation, create a safety plan and connect them to emergency services if necessary. Almost always, however, they are able to prevent the caller from engaging in dangerous self-harm by working with them to problem-solve and identify options for support locally. They also empower the texter to decide when it’s appropriate to reach out again.
How You Can Help
Helplines (also known as hotlines and crisis lines) are non-profit organizations that provide emotional support and crisis counseling for free. They can be accessed over phone, text or online and are often available 24/7.
A conversation with a counselor can be about anything, whether it’s suicidal thoughts, job stress or a breakup. Counselors aren’t there to judge or discredit a person’s feelings, and they don’t ask people for identifying information unless explicitly asked.
To donate to Crisis Text Line, you can visit their website or text REACH to 741-741 from anywhere in the US. You can also find other helplines on the Find A Helpline website. The site ranks helplines by location and provides a description of each service. It also allows users to filter by their needs and connect with services that are most relevant for them. The site is free and anonymous. Those in need of help can also use the app Shout, which offers free, anonymous, in-the-moment mental health and crisis support through Facebook Messenger.