The main number to call for mental health support in the United States is 988. You can call, text, or chat 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Despite the name, you don’t need to be suicidal to use it. The line handles emotional distress, substance use concerns, and any moment when you need someone to talk to.
How 988 Works
When you dial 988, you’ll hear a greeting followed by a short menu. You can press a number to connect with specialized counselors for veterans or Spanish speakers, or you can press zero to skip the menu entirely. If you don’t select anything, you’ll be routed to a local crisis center based on your location or area code. You’ll hear hold music briefly until a counselor picks up.
Once connected, the counselor will introduce themselves, ask about your safety, and listen. They work to understand what you’re going through and help you figure out next steps, which might include local resources or coping strategies. If your local center can’t take the call, you’re automatically forwarded to a national backup center so you’re never left without someone to talk to.
988 also offers text and chat options. Texting 988 works the same way as calling, and live chat is available through the 988 Lifeline website. Services are available in multiple languages, including Spanish, Tagalog, French, Russian, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
If You Prefer Texting
The Crisis Text Line is a separate service designed entirely around text messaging. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States. A trained volunteer crisis counselor will respond and work through the conversation with you in real time. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7. You can also text HOLA to the same number for Spanish-language support. This option works well if you’re in a situation where you can’t speak out loud, or if texting simply feels more comfortable.
Numbers for Specific Groups
Veterans and Service Members
If you’re a veteran, active-duty service member, or a family member of one, dial 988 and then press 1. This connects you to the Veterans Crisis Line, staffed by counselors specifically qualified to support people with military experience. You can also text 838255.
LGBTQ+ Young People
The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people. You can call 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678 to connect with a trained counselor. The Trevor Project is also integrated into the 988 system, so dialing 988 can route you to their LGBTQ+ specialized services as well.
When You’re Struggling but Not in Crisis
Not every hard moment is a crisis, and there are resources designed for the space in between. “Warm lines” are free, confidential phone services for people who are struggling emotionally but don’t need emergency help. They exist to fill the gap between feeling fine and being in active crisis. Think of them as a place to talk things out before they escalate.
Warm lines are typically run at the state level, so the number varies depending on where you live. Searching “warm line” along with your state name will usually turn up a local option. Many are staffed by peers with lived experience in mental health challenges rather than clinical counselors, which some people find easier to open up to.
What About Privacy?
Calls, texts, and chats to 988 are confidential. Counselors are there to listen and help, not to send police or emergency services to your door. In rare situations where someone’s life is in immediate danger and no other option can keep them safe, a counselor may coordinate emergency services. But the vast majority of 988 interactions are resolved through conversation alone. The goal is support, not intervention.
Numbers Outside the United States
In Canada, the equivalent number is also 988. You can call or text it 24/7 for suicide crisis support that is bilingual (English and French), trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate. It’s available to anyone in Canada.
In the United Kingdom, call 111 and select the mental health option. This connects you to NHS mental health support, and you may be able to speak with a trained mental health professional over the phone. If someone’s life is at immediate risk, call 999.
Quick Reference
- 988 (U.S.): Call, text, or chat for any mental health crisis or emotional distress, 24/7
- 741741 (U.S.): Text HOME for text-based crisis support, 24/7
- 988, press 1 (U.S.): Veterans Crisis Line
- 866-488-7386 (U.S.): The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ young people
- 988 (Canada): Call or text for suicide crisis support, 24/7
- 111 (UK): Select mental health option for NHS support