MSG is an uncompensated member of Crisis Text Line’s Clinical Advisory Board. AP and CG are uncompensated members of Crisis Text Line’s Data Advisory Board. CK is employed by CTL.
Crisis chat services are a newer addition to the nation’s armament of suicide prevention and mental health support, but little is known about who uses these programs. This study utilizes anonymized and de-identified CC reports and texter post-conversation surveys from 85,877 texters who used Crisis Text Line.
Free and Anonymous
You can text STEVE to 741741 and a trained Crisis Counselor will respond. The Steve Fund believes that text messaging can improve access to critical mental health support for young people of color who often experience barriers to reaching out and talking through their struggles.
Helplines, also known as hotlines, are free and anonymous services that offer emotional and crisis support. They are available through phone, online chat and in some cases, text message. They are staffed by trained, compassionate specialists who can listen without judgment and provide you with resources that may be helpful.
You can find a list of national and state-based helplines on our Find A Helpline page. These include suicide prevention hotlines, domestic violence hotlines and specialized hotlines such as Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ youth.
24/7
We all know life can be stressful, and having someone to talk to who is unbiased and can offer support is helpful. Whether you’re dealing with work or family issues, money problems or feeling overwhelmed by your responsibilities, text “GOT5” to 741741 for free and confidential support from a Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line also supports young people of color through a partnership with The Steve Fund, who encourages them to use the keyword STEVE when texting 741741. Your conversation with a trained volunteer lasts as long as you need it to. Your Crisis Counselor will listen, ask you questions and provide empathetic support.
365 Days a Year
A free, 24/7 texting support service for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Crisis counselors are available to talk through any problem you’re having, and they’ll listen without judgment. They’ll also connect you to local services and resources that can help.
Our volunteers aren’t sure what to expect during their first shift, but by the end of their 200-hour volunteer commitment they have a whole new perspective on mental health and a host of skills for helping others. We provide training for all volunteer roles, and a Supervisor is always available to support you during your shifts.
Shout is the UK’s only free, 24/7 texting service that provides emotional support and crisis intervention via a text conversation with a trained professional. They’ve taken over 2.5 million conversations since 2009. Learn about volunteering at Shout.
Get Help
When you text BRAVE or 741741, you will get a response from a trained Crisis Counselor. They will work to de-escalate the situation and help you find help locally. They will also create a safety plan if you need one. Emergency services are called in less than 1% of crises.
You will have a back and forth texting conversation with the volunteer that is supporting you. They are trained to listen empathetically, but cannot provide medical advice. The average conversation lasts about an hour. Save 741741 in your phone so you have it at the ready for times when you need support.
Whether you are going through a rough patch or just need someone to talk to, Crisis Text Line is available 24/7. If you would like to support the organization that provides free nonjudgmental and confidential help, you can donate here. You can also get involved by sharing your story and raising awareness. The more people that know about these resources, the better.