National Crisis and Mental Health Hotlines in the United States and Around the World

If you or someone you know may hurt themselves, is in immediate danger, or cannot stay safe, call emergency services now. In the United States, call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support; call 911 for an immediate, life-threatening emergency.[cdc][usa]

A person does not need to be suicidal to contact a crisis line. People may call because they feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, unsafe, isolated, or worried about a child, friend, family member, or student.

United States Hotlines

For parents, teachers, and friends

You can call or text 988 if you are worried about someone else. A caller can explain what is happening, ask how to support the person, and receive guidance about next steps. If possible, stay with the person, remove immediate access to weapons or medications, and avoid leaving them alone while waiting for emergency help.

International Crisis Resources

The countries below include several of the world’s largest and youngest populations. Because hotline coverage and operating hours can change, readers should confirm the number through the linked service before publication or whenever possible. International callers should generally use the emergency number in the country where the person is physically located.

This is a practical starting list rather than a complete directory. Child Helpline International reports that its network includes more than 150 child helplines across over 130 countries and territories. Readers outside the countries listed here can search Find A Helpline, Befrienders Worldwide, or Child Helpline International’s directory.[childhelplineinternational][childhelplineinternational]

When to Call Emergency Services

Call emergency services immediately if someone:

• Has taken pills, drugs, or another potentially dangerous substance.
• Has a serious injury or is actively attempting suicide.
• Has access to a weapon and may use it.
• Is unconscious, severely intoxicated, or experiencing a medical emergency.
• Is being physically abused or is in immediate danger.
• Says they cannot keep themselves safe.

If the danger is not immediate but the person needs someone to talk to, call a crisis line instead. You do not need to wait until the situation becomes “serious enough.”

How to Help a Young Person

Use calm, direct language:

“I’m glad you told me. Are you thinking about hurting yourself or ending your life?”

Asking directly does not create suicidal thoughts. Listen without judgment, take the person seriously, and avoid promising to keep an imminent safety threat secret. Help them contact 988 or the appropriate local service, involve a trusted adult when the person is a minor, and remain with them until support is connected.

Important publication note

Hotline numbers, eligibility rules, languages, and hours can change. A website publishing this list should include the date it was last checked, link to official service pages where available, and encourage readers to verify international numbers. For a life-threatening emergency, readers should call the local emergency number rather than relying on a directory or trying to call a hotline from another country.

AI Version:

You’re Not Alone: A Guide to Crisis & Mental Health Hotlines

Sometimes the hardest part of a hard day is believing that someone will actually pick up the phone. So we put together this list — for you, for a friend, for a younger sibling, for anyone who just needs a real person to talk to right now.

None of these lines require you to have the “right” reason to call. Feeling overwhelmed, lonely, anxious, or like things are too much counts. You don’t have to wait until things feel like an emergency to reach out.

If you or someone you’re with is in immediate physical danger, please call 911 (or your local emergency number) first.

United States: National Hotlines

General Crisis & Suicide Prevention

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988, available 24/7. Connects you with a trained crisis counselor for any kind of emotional distress, not just suicidal thoughts. Spanish-language support available by pressing 2. Chat is available at 988lifeline.org.
• Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741, available 24/7, if talking on the phone feels like too much.

For Young People Specifically

• The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth under 25) — Call 1-866-488-7386, or text START to 678-678, 24/7.
• Boys Town National Hotline (for teens and families, all genders) — Call 1-800-448-3000, 24/7. Covers everything from bullying to family conflict to depression.
• National Runaway Safeline — Call 1-800-786-2929, 24/7, for young people who are running away, homeless, or thinking about it.

Abuse & Safety

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline — Call or text 1-800-422-4453, 24/7, available in over 170 languages.
• National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) — Call 1-800-656-4673, 24/7.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 1-800-799-7233, 24/7.

Mental Health, Substance Use & Eating Disorders

• SAMHSA National Helpline (mental health and substance use treatment referrals) — Call 1-800-662-4357, 24/7.
• NAMI HelpLine (National Alliance on Mental Illness) — Call 1-800-950-6264 or text “HelpLine” to 62640, Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. ET.
• National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline — Call 1-866-662-1235, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. ET.

Save a couple of these in your phone right now, even if you never need them. Future-you might be grateful you did.

Around the World: Hotlines in Countries With the Largest Youth Populations

Our community is global, and loneliness and hard days don’t stop at a border. Here are crisis and mental health lines in some of the countries with the largest populations of young people in the world. If your country isn’t listed, Find A Helpline and International Association for Suicide Prevention both maintain searchable global directories.

India

• Tele-MANAS (National Tele Mental Health Programme) — Call 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, 24/7, free, available in multiple Indian languages.
• KIRAN Mental Health Helpline — Call 1800-599-0019, 24/7.
• iCall Psychosocial Helpline (TISS) — Call 9152987821, Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Indonesia

• Ministry of Health Mental Health Hotline — Call 119, then select extension 8, 24/7.

Pakistan

• Umang Mental Health Helpline — Call 0311-7786264, 24/7, free.
• Rozan Counseling Helpline — Call 0800-22444.

Nigeria

• SURPIN (Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative) Helpline — Call 0908-021-7555 or 0903-440-0009, 24/7.

Brazil

• CVV (Centro de Valorização da Vida) — Call 188, 24/7, free, also available via chat and video call at cvv.org.br.

China

• Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center / Lifeline — Call 010-8295-1332 or 400-161-9995.
• Lifeline Shanghai — Call 400-821-1215.

If You’re Reading This in a Hard Moment

You don’t need a script. You don’t need to have your thoughts organized. You don’t need to prove that things are “bad enough.” The people on the other end of these lines talk to people every single day who feel exactly like you do right now — and their whole job is to stay on the phone with you until things feel a little more manageable.

If you’re a parent or a friend reading this because you’re worried about someone else, reaching out to one of these lines yourself for guidance on how to help is always a reasonable thing to do too.

We built this community because we believe young people deserve real connection — to books, to ideas, to each other, and to help when they need it. That last part matters most of all.

This list was compiled from official and verified sources as of August 2026. Hotline numbers and hours can change — if a number doesn’t work, please try 911 (in the U.S.) or your local emergency number.