If you need help, start here.
Behavioral Wire covers the mental health industry as a business and policy beat — but if you or someone you know is struggling, these free and confidential resources can help right now. You do not need insurance or a diagnosis to reach any of them.
Crisis support — available now
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Free, confidential support for anyone in distress — suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or substance use. Connects you to a trained counselor.
24/7 · Nationwide (U.S.)
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Text-based support with a trained crisis counselor. Useful if you would rather not talk on the phone.
24/7 · Free
Veterans Crisis Line
Dial 988, then press 1
Confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, and their families. You do not need to be enrolled in VA benefits.
24/7 · Also text 838255
The Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people. Phone, text, and chat available.
24/7 · Text START to 678-678
Finding ongoing care
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357
Free, confidential treatment referral and information for mental health and substance use disorders. English and Spanish.
24/7 · Treatment referral
NAMI HelpLine
1-800-950-6264
Information, resource referrals, and support from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Not a crisis line.
Mon–Fri · Text "HelpLine" to 62640
FindTreatment.gov
findtreatment.gov
Government directory of state-licensed mental health and substance use treatment providers, searchable by location.
Directory · Free
Find a Helpline
findahelpline.com
Verified crisis and support helplines in more than 130 countries, for readers outside the United States.
International
Behavioral Wire is a journalism publication, not a healthcare provider. The resources above are listed as a public service and are not endorsements. Contact details are checked periodically; if you find one out of date, please let us know.