Text with a trained Crisis Counselor for free anytime you need support. Text “GOT5” to 741741.
Many users reported that the text format made it easier to access mental health support in settings where it would be difficult or uncomfortable to speak aloud. This was especially true for those who experienced social anxiety, deafness, or limited mobility.
What is the Crisis Text Line?
The Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 mental health support through text. They help people work through their rough patches and access local resources, de-escalating crises and working with them to create safety plans. They also connect with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for those considering suicide or self-harm, ensuring their safety is top priority.
Busy schedules, finances, a job and home can all make it challenging to keep up with your own mental health. The Crisis Text Line helps people who might otherwise not seek help get it, connecting them with a volunteer counselor for an empathetic, non-judgmental conversation.
A big part of the Crisis Text Line’s mission is fostering a vibrant community of volunteers. Katelyn Gillum, Director of Community at Crisis Text Line, works hard to cultivate this community and keep it engaged with the organization long after their training is over. Working with Higher Logic Vanilla, Katelyn built an engagement strategy that allowed her to reach volunteers earlier in the process and build a stronger sense of community right from the start.
How can I use the Crisis Text Line?
The Crisis Text Line is a free and anonymous way to text with a trained Crisis Counselor anytime. If you’re feeling down, stressed out or overwhelmed, text HOME to 741741, and one of their trained volunteers will help you through your current situation.
The Steve Fund created a special keyword, STEVE, to provide a better way for young people of color to access the Crisis Text Line. If you are a youth of color and are struggling, you can text STEVE to 741741. A trained Crisis Counselor will respond and be there to support you.
The Crisis Text Line prioritizes compassionate, nonjudgmental and empathetic mental health support that’s available to everyone. To learn more, visit their website. You can also donate to support the work they do.
How can I get involved with the Crisis Text Line?
Become a volunteer Crisis Counselor and you’ll join a nationwide community of impact makers with one of the most meaningful experiences possible. It takes a special person to be a volunteer Crisis Counselor, and the people who use their service tell us that it has changed them for the better in their lives, careers, relationships, and communities.
To get started, visit the Crisis Text Line website and click “volunteer.” Once you’re accepted as a volunteer, you’ll be sent to training. You’ll complete the training online and be ready to start working as a Crisis Counselor.
Keep in mind that the Crisis Text Line is a confidential resource for anyone in any type of crisis. It is important to avoid injecting your personal opinions, beliefs, or politics into the conversation with the person who is texting the Crisis Line. Also, try to work 2 2-hour shifts each week so that you don’t overextend yourself. This can be difficult at times, so make sure you are taking care of yourself in between shifts.
What are the benefits of volunteering with the Crisis Text Line?
Crisis Text Line’s volunteers gain a variety of skills and experiences that help them improve their own mental health, personal relationships, and careers. They also gain a deeper sense of purpose and social connection—which research shows helps buffer against the negative impacts of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Volunteers also report growth in their desire to be agents of change in their broader communities and increased willingness to advocate for policies that support the mental wellbeing of others. Additionally, two thirds of volunteers reported using skills they learned on the platform to care for themselves and their own emotional wellbeing.
These benefits, and more, show how volunteering at Crisis Text Line provides a transformative experience for volunteers and the communities they serve. The next step is understanding how to optimize the wider impact of this type of online service. This is where we need your help.