Crisis Text Line is the nation’s first and largest text-based mental health and crisis intervention service. Since its launch in 2013, volunteers have answered millions of texts from people in distress across the country.
Research using CTL anonymized data has contributed to knowledge about texters’ presenting psychosocial concerns (Szlyk, 2020) and help-seeking behavior among rural adolescents (Thompson et al., 2018).
How It Works
Busy schedules, bills, caring for children or an elderly parent, and maintaining a home can all add up to feeling overwhelmed. Crisis Lines exist to help people get through rough patches by providing free, anonymous and confidential support. Text BRAVE to 741741, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (Facebook users can also use Facebook Messenger to chat with a counselor from either of these services). Crisis Counselors aim to empower texters by helping them problem-solve and identify resources for help locally. They do not engage emergency services in less than 1% of cases, as they strive to help texters de-escalate their situation and create a safety plan if possible.
The Steve Fund has created a specific keyword, STEVE, for young people of color to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor via text.
What to Expect
Once you text BRAVE to 741741, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, you will be connected with a trained crisis counselor who will help you de-escalate your situation and find resources to help you in your area. Crisis Counselors are trained to listen, but you can also tell them if you don’t want to share anything, or if you need help leaving the conversation. The goal of these conversations is to help you get to a safe place, and they will only involve emergency services if necessary (and even then, only at the request of Public Safety Access Points, which are law enforcement or first responders). You can communicate with both crisis lines over Facebook Messenger, and your communications are encrypted and confidential.
If you are supporting a friend in crisis over text, replace silence with reflection: a space to think before your reply shows that you care about their privacy.
Getting Started
Text 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor. The service is available 24/7 in the United States. Keep 741741 saved in your phone so it’s easy to access during a crisis. A conversation with a Crisis Counselor lasts from 15-45 minutes.
Volunteers are vetted and trained for 2 hours to become a Crisis Counselor. Volunteers need to be over the age of 18 and have a US social security number or other government issued ID to begin training.
Volunteering at Crisis Text Line provides volunteers with a new perspective on mental health and helps them develop skills that they can bring to their lives, careers, and relationships. Studies show that volunteering at Crisis Text Line also makes volunteers healthier and improves their well-being.
Volunteering
Becoming a Crisis Text Line volunteer is a way to make a difference in your community and add valuable volunteer experience to your resume. The organization asks volunteers to commit to a minimum of 200 hours and provides comprehensive training.
After completing the training, you can begin your shifts on the platform. Shifts are typically 2-hour blocks, and you can sign up for as many as 2 shifts a week. However, you should pay attention to your own mental health and don’t volunteer for more than 12 hours a week to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Volunteers who are bilingual can help support texters by offering empathetic support in both English and Spanish. The organization also offers virtual volunteering opportunities to make it easy for people with busy schedules and responsibilities to get involved. To find out more, visit the volunteer page on the Crisis Text Line website. If you are in need of help, text GOTL to 741741 to be connected with a trained Crisis Counselor.