988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
For anything heavy, not only suicide. Emotional distress, a panic you cannot ride out, worry about someone else.
Call 988 · Text 988 · Chat online
United States. In Canada, call or text 9-8-8 too.
Need a human now?
Help is real.
And it is there.
Every line below reaches a real person, free, any hour. You do not have to be in a crisis to reach out. You do not have to explain yourself first. You keep your no the whole time.
In danger right now? Call 911 in the US, or your local emergency number.
Crisis Text Line
If talking out loud is too much, text instead.
United States. Also in the UK (text SHOUT to 85258) and Ireland (text 50808).
The Trevor Project
For LGBTQ+ young people, from people who get it.
Call 1-866-488-7386 · Text START to 678-678
United States, 24/7.
Trans Lifeline
Peer support run by trans people, for trans and questioning people.
US 1-877-565-8860 · Canada 1-877-330-6366
United States and Canada.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
If someone at home is hurting you or scaring you.
Call 1-800-799-7233 · Text START to 88788
United States, 24/7.
RAINN
Sexual assault support, whenever it happened.
Call 1-800-656-4673 · Chat online
United States, 24/7.
SAMHSA Helpline
Substance use and mental health, treatment and support near you.
United States, free and confidential, 24/7.
Veterans Crisis Line
For veterans, service members, and the people who love them.
Dial 988, then press 1 · Text 838255
United States, 24/7.
211
Food, housing, bills, rides, and everything else that makes the heavy stuff heavier.
Most of the US and Canada.
Anywhere else
Find a free, confidential line in your country.
findahelpline.com · UK & Ireland Samaritans 116 123
Wherever you are, there is a number that will reach a real person.
Numbers checked October 2026. If one ever does not work, please tell us so it gets fixed.
Before you reach
Reaching is not the failure.
Staying silent is the thing that costs you. If asking feels impossible, eleven small truths might help.