Free Hotlines and Mental Health Resources
One of the best ways to address mental health concerns is to form a relationship with a therapist that you see regularly, but sometimes we might find ourselves in a situation where we cannot afford treatment, or we have a therapist but it is 1am and they aren’t available. In any case, I’ve compiled a list of free resources that you can use if you are experiencing a mental health crisis and are worried about your safety, or if you are just having a hard time and need someone to talk to. Some of these are general resources that anyone can use, and others are meant for people who are part of certain populations. If you find yourself in a situation where you need help and it isn’t available at the moment from a regular therapist, regardless of the reason, I hope that some of these resources will be helpful to you.
General Hotlines (helpful for a variety of different concerns):
741741: a text line that you use by texting “HOME” to the number 741741. It is available 24/7.
IMAlive: an online crisis line, which has an online chat on their website, www.imalive.org
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: has both a phone number and an online chat, www.suicidepreventionlifeline.com, 1-800-273-8255.
One additional way to find a resource in your area is to google “_____ County Crisis Services”, and fill in the blank with the name of your county. Many counties have their own 24/7 hotlines.
For the LGBTQ+Community:
The Trevor Project (For LGBTQ+ youth): a 24/7 hotline available via phone at 1-866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline: Available via phone at 877-565-8860
GLBT National Hotline: Available via phone from 4pm to midnight, EST at 888-843-4564. Also see their website at https://www.glbthotline.org/national-hotline.html
For People With Eating Disorders:
NEDA Hotline: Support available on weekdays via phone and online chat, see their website at https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline
For Survivors of S*x*al Trauma:
RAINN: Support available via phone or online chat at www.rainn.org
For Veterans:
Veterans Crisis Line: can connect via text, phone call, or online chat. See their website at www.veteranscrisisline.net.
