Crisis Text Line is a free, 24/7 service that provides support and help to anyone in crisis. You can reach them by texting HOME to 741741. You will be connected with a trained crisis counselor who can talk with you about whatever is going on in your life.
Previous research on text-based crisis services has identified a range of positive outcomes, including symptom reduction. However, little is known about how well these services work with diverse populations.
It’s free
The service is free to anyone in the United States and Canada, though standard messaging rates may apply based on your carrier. It is run by a network of crisis support organizations and trained volunteers, all supervised by a clinical professional. Text HOME to 741741, and you’ll be connected to a counselor who is ready to listen without judgement. You can also chat online or call the hotline.
Whether you’re dealing with depression, having trouble in your relationship, or feeling suicidal, Crisis Text Line has trained counselors waiting to help you. The service is anonymous and available 24/7.
In addition to offering free and confidential support, Crisis Text Line is a valuable resource for friends of those in distress. You can text or call them to help a friend with their mental health issues, and you can even ask for advice on how to best support someone in crisis. The counselors are specially trained to assess and respond to each situation.
It’s anonymous
Whether you’re dealing with a personal crisis or know a friend in need, this service is confidential and easy to use. All you need to do is text “BRAVE” to 741741, and you’ll be connected to a trained crisis counselor. This service is free for people in the U.S., though standard messaging rates may apply.
In conversations with texters, volunteers empathize rather than interrogate. They’ll ask questions to get a better understanding of the situation, but they won’t force someone to talk about their problems. They also won’t call emergency services unless they have a clear reason for doing so.
You can also talk to a crisis counselor on Facebook. Unlike calling or using an online chat system, communication with Facebook-based hotlines is encrypted and anonymous. But this can be problematic if you don’t trust that the hotline has your best interest at heart. Fortunately, these Facebook hotlines are only used by people who have agreed to terms and conditions that protect their privacy.
It’s confidential
Crisis Text Line is an anonymous, free, and 24/7 crisis support service. When someone texts HOME, they receive a response from a trained Crisis Counselor who uses active listening and safety planning to help them move from their hot moment to a cool calm. They will also help them find local resources to get them the support they need. Crisis Line workers don’t engage emergency services unless they believe the person is in immediate danger.
A Crisis Counselor will empathize with the texter, and ask questions at their pace. They may offer support or advice, but they never force the conversation. They will listen to the texter until they both feel that they are in a cool, safe place. Afterwards, they will send an optional survey about their experience. This data helps them improve the service and identify patterns. For example, they know that Tuesday is the day most people feel stressed and that people are more likely to text them around 10 p.m.
It’s 24/7
The service provides a safe, trusted way for young people to ask for help in their moment of need. It meets them where they are, in their own language — texting. Students can reach out for help during a lunch period or in a bathroom without anyone knowing. The service has already fielded more than 6.6 million pleas for support.
Busy schedules, financial challenges and maintaining a home can be stressful for parents. If you are a parent who is struggling, you can text “GOT5″ to 741741, or “GOT5U” if you are a college student, and get connected to a Crisis Counselor.
Crisis counselors are volunteers who receive training on how to empathize and listen to their texters. They also are instructed not to interrogate them or offer advice, allowing their conversation to progress at its own pace. The counseling sessions typically last as long as the texter wants. In some cases, the counselor may recommend emergency services.