Crisis Text Line is a free, 24/7 text messaging service. Individuals in distress can text the help number and be connected to a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor.
While there are few studies evaluating text line effectiveness, the available results suggest promising initial outcomes. There is significant variation in how and when effectiveness data are collected.
How it works
The service is free, anonymous and available 24/7. When individuals text BRAVE or HELLO to 741741 from anywhere in the country, they are connected with a trained Crisis Counselor. These counselors are volunteers who have been trained to support people in a difficult or dangerous situation. They help individuals de-escalate the situation and connect them to resources for help locally. In less than 1% of conversations, they will engage emergency services to assist the person.
Conversations typically last 45-60 minutes. The Crisis Counselor will help the individual sort through their feelings by asking questions, empathizing and actively listening. They will never force someone to share more than they are comfortable with.
Whether the issue is a mental health crisis, a breakup or even a job loss, counselors are there for people. And unlike the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, they don’t ask for names or other identifying information. The service is available in all 50 states.
What you can expect
Balancing school, friendships and responsibilities at home can be tough on teenagers. If you need someone to talk to, text ‘GOT5’ to 741741 and get connected to a Crisis Counselor who will listen and support you.
You’ll start a back-and-forth conversation with the counselor and they’ll help you navigate your situation. They’ll ask questions to assess your safety, empathize with you and guide you toward getting to a cool moment (where you feel safe). They might provide resources or offer support, but they also may just sit with you in silence and listen.
Because they can’t see the individual’s body language or hear their voice, crisis counselors are trained to empathize with texters, rather than interrogate them. They also don’t give advice, but instead prompt them to identify options and weigh pros and cons. They’ll also share a personal story about their own experience with mental health and encourage the texter to reflect on theirs.
How to get help
Getting help doesn’t have to be hard. Whether you are in a crisis, feeling down or overwhelmed, you can text CONNECT to 741741 from anywhere in the US to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor. The conversation is anonymous and confidential.
It typically takes less than five minutes to get connected with a live Crisis Counselor. When the conversation begins, the counselor will introduce themselves and invite you to share at your own pace. You will be able to text back and forth with the counselor. The goal is to help you move from a difficult moment (hot moment) to a cool place. Sometimes this means providing you with a resource, and other times it just involves listening.
Kids Help Phone provides free, anonymous, 24/7 support and a safe space to talk about what’s going on for teens across Canada. When “fine” isn’t enough, KHP helps unlock hope for young people to thrive, one text at a time.
Resources
You can call or text to talk with a trained crisis counselor about anything—even if you’re not in a direct emergency. Your crisis counselor will ask you questions to make sure you’re safe and can be connected to the resources you need.
You may also call or text to get support for other kinds of distress: traumatic events, depression, suicidal thoughts, family and relationship problems, substance abuse, homelessness, or high stress. Some helplines are specifically for a specific type of distress, like trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or for individuals who have experienced sexual assault.
You can promote the service through a variety of means, including on-campus outreach activities and inclusion in student emergency protocols. Put up posters in high traffic areas such as the dining hall, community centers and clinics; affix the number to all student ID cards; include it in a flyer for new students; and post it on listserves, social media, or campus bulletin boards.