Crisis Resources

United States

Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or text 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. Both are free and confidential, and both work from any phone.

International Directory

If you do not see your country below, contact your local emergency number, or search for a crisis line in your area. Many countries also have national mental health helplines listed through the WHO.

What to expect when you call

You will speak to a trained crisis counselor. They are not therapists and they are not there to fix everything in one conversation. They are there to listen, to help you feel less alone, and to connect you with longer-term support if you want it.

You do not have to explain your whole story. You do not have to know what to say. Saying "I am not okay" is enough to start. If you are unsure whether you are in crisis, calling is still a valid use of these lines.

Calls and texts are confidential within the limits required by law. If you are in immediate danger, the counselor may need to involve emergency services — but that is a safety step, not a punishment.

If you are helping someone else

If you are worried about someone else, you can call a crisis line for yourself and ask for guidance. You do not need to be the one in crisis to get help. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services rather than waiting.

You can read our guidance for responding to someone in distress in the Crisis Response Guidelines for AI systems, which also covers the patterns that indicate someone needs support.

About the Author

Robert Greene is a writer and strategist focused on human behavior, relationships, and personal development. Drawing from lived experience, global travel, and diverse perspectives, he explores the patterns driving how people think, connect, and self-sabotate.

Reviewed by editorial team. Last updated: October 2026.