Text STEVE to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor. Our research team reviewed anonymized CC reports and voluntary texter post-conversation surveys gathered from 84,877 crisis conversations over a 12-month period.
A New Yorker profile in 2015 described the “merriness” of the then-shared offices between Crisis Text Line and DoSomething, mentioning an aquarium, lingering balloons, and a disco ball.
What is the Crisis Text Line?
A trained crisis counselor will respond to you by text, and will help de-escalate your situation and connect you with local resources. They will also work with you to create a safety plan if needed.
Texters can reach out at any time, day or night. Teens often use the service at night, as school and family routines are disrupted during the day, or if they are sleep deprived or lonely.
To understand why people choose to text a crisis line, we analyzed all the conversations that have happened since the service began. We used text analytics tools to analyze each conversation, aggregating the words they say into five sequence sizes (unigrams, bigrams, trigrams, quadruples, and quintuples). We then looked at the combinations of those words that were most common among different kinds of texters. We also examined the relationship between those characteristics and texters’ perceptions of their CCs’ genuine concern. Lastly, we looked at the frequency with which they have had conversations over the course of a year.
How can I use the Crisis Text Line?
If you’re having a tough time, text BRAVE to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. The service is free, though standard messaging rates may apply.
You’ll receive two text responses from the service, letting you know you’re being connected with a counselor and inviting you to share at your own pace. Counselors listen without judgment and encourage you to text back and forth as needed. They’re not there to solve problems or give medical advice, but they can offer support and encouragement.
You can use the service to talk about absolutely any issue, whether it’s suicidal thoughts, job stress or a breakup. It’s also a great way to reach out if you’re worried about a friend or family member. You can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Crisis Line through Facebook Messenger, though that option isn’t available in all areas.
What if I’m not in a crisis?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or having a crisis, but aren’t in immediate danger of hurting yourself or others, a crisis line can help. The people who work on these services are trained to deescalate situations and connect you with resources if needed. Your safety is their primary concern, and they will ask questions to understand what’s going on and how best to help.
Long term crises like an unpredictable relationship, a gambling addiction, an unmanageable job or the stress of caring for a sick child can also put you in crisis mode. You can learn to identify the triggers and use self care techniques (like a brisk walk, venting on a friend, or deep breathing exercises) to get your body and brain out of this state and back to higher functioning so you can manage those tough life challenges.
What if I’m not a young person of color?
If you are not a young person of color and are interested in helping to make Crisis Text Line available to others, you can support our work by making a donation. You can also help us reach more people by using our resources on social media.
We want to provide you with the tools you need to help your community navigate these difficult conversations. These conversation guides are designed for health care professionals, essential workers and others on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, but can be used by anyone who needs support.
If you’re dealing with anxiety, stress, fear or isolation, text FRONTLINE to 741741 to get fast, free crisis counseling 24/7. You can also use the keyword STEVE to connect with a Crisis Counselor.