The Crisis Text Line is a free and confidential service for individuals in distress. It is available 24 hours a day in the United States, the UK, and Canada. In addition, it has a volunteer network for people in need of support.
Free, 24/7 emotional support for those in crisis
It’s important to have free, confidential emotional support when you’re feeling stressed out, sad, or hopeless. Fortunately, there are several free services available that can make all the difference in the world.
The Samaritans HelpLine is a nonprofit organization that offers free, personalized, and confidential support to adults in distress. It’s open around the clock, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. A trained professional will listen to your story and give you the help you need. They’ll also suggest other resources that may be of interest to you.
In addition to a phone line, you can also text your troubles to the Crisis Text Line. This is a free and confidential service that will respond to your text messages as soon as possible.
Focus on teen-agers
The Crisis Text Line is a mental health based text messaging support line for teens. It was founded in August 2013. It uses texting and call data to provide free, immediate crisis support. They also recruit trained volunteers to serve as counselors.
The organization’s mission is to prevent teen suicide. Its partners include the National Federation of State High School Associations and the National Eating Disorders Association.
Its counselors are also trained in 35 hours of intensive mental health training. There are currently 1,500 volunteer counselors nationwide.
The Crisis Text Line provides free text-based mental health support for anyone ages 13 to 22 who is in a crisis. In addition to the free service, the Crisis Text Line also offers an online chat feature.
Engages in an “active rescue” in less than 1% of crises
The old adage is that you don’t need to be a medical professional to appreciate a good first aid kit. But that’s not to say you don’t have a medical emergency on your hands. A sleeve of sterile gauze or a swab of saline solution are all you need to treat a wound. If you can’t do these, it’s time to call 911. Fortunately, 911 operators are usually on hand to provide the much needed guidance. Of course, in the medical context, a phone call is a lot easier than a restraining order. It’s a matter of judgment which to choose.
Volunteer network
A volunteer network is a vital aspect of Crisis Text Line, the nation’s leading nonprofit mental health resource. This volunteer-powered support system provides free, immediate, and anonymous care to people in crisis.
To get involved, prospective volunteers must complete an application. They then receive a minimum of 30 hours of training. Training covers active listening, motivational interviewing, and best practices in suicide prevention. Volunteers are expected to dedicate at least four hours per week to work with texters in need.
In addition to answering text messages, volunteers offer collaborative problem solving, safety planning, and referral resources. Crisis Text Line is currently headquartered in New York City. It operates in the US and UK, with plans to expand into four additional regions by early 2020.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a toll-free, confidential, 24-hour hotline that provides emotional and crisis counseling to anyone in emotional distress. A trained crisis worker will be available to answer your call.
Callers are automatically routed to the crisis center nearest to them. This can be either a local center or one of 16 backup centers. In the event that a crisis center does not operate in your area, callers are connected to a nearby crisis counselor.
You can also text the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741 or HEAL to 741741 to receive free 24/7 information and support from trained professionals. This service is available across the U.S.