Immediate support
You don’t have to face this moment alone.
When life feels overwhelming, reaching out can be one of the hardest things to do. Whether you’re experiencing a crisis, worried about someone you love, or simply need someone to listen, help is available.
The resources below offer free, confidential support from trained responders. You don’t need to be a Lit Path scholarship recipient, complete an application, or make a payment to access these services.
United States crisis support
Someone is here to listen. Anytime.
You don’t have to be in immediate danger to reach out.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support by phone, text, or online chat, 24 hours a day, throughout the United States and its territories.
Before you reach out
A few things we want you to know.
You may be unsure whether what you’re experiencing qualifies as a crisis, or what will happen if you ask for help. Here are a few things that may make reaching out feel a little easier.
- If someone is in immediate danger
- Call 911 in the United States or your local emergency number. Emergency services are best equipped to respond when someone’s physical safety is at immediate risk.
- If you’re not sure whether it’s a crisis
- You don’t have to wait until things feel unbearable to ask for support. Crisis lines are there for moments of emotional distress, uncertainty, and overwhelm, too.
- If you’re worried about someone you love
- You can reach out for guidance, even if you’re not the person experiencing the crisis. Trained responders can help you think through how to support someone you care about.
Crisis & support resources
Finding the right support for your situation.
Different experiences call for different kinds of support. Whether you’re navigating emotional distress, addiction, abuse, or concern for someone you love, these organizations offer specialized assistance.
Explore the resources below to find the support that best fits your needs.
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential support for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, and for anyone worried about someone else. Available around the clock across the United States and its territories by phone, text, and online chat.
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Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor. Useful when speaking aloud is not possible or not safe.
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SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral and information service for mental health and substance use, available around the clock in English and Spanish.
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Veterans Crisis Line
Dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Staffed by responders including many veterans, for service members, veterans, and their families.
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National Domestic Violence Hotline
Confidential support, safety planning, and local referrals for anyone experiencing domestic violence, available around the clock.
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RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
Confidential support for survivors of sexual violence, with routing to a local provider and online chat available.
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The Trevor Project
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ young people, by phone, text, and chat, around the clock.
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Trans Lifeline
Peer support run by and for transgender people, with a policy of not calling emergency services without consent.
Looking for support outside the United States?
If you’re located outside the U.S., crisis support may still be available in your country. You can explore international helplines to find resources near you.
Find International Crisis SupportWhat to expect when you reach out
It’s okay to not know what to say.
Making that first call or sending that first message can feel intimidating, especially when you’re already struggling. Knowing a little about what to expect may help.
- Someone will listen
- You’ll be connected with a trained responder who is there to offer support, listen without judgment, and help you work through what you’re experiencing.
- You can share at your own pace
- You don’t need to have the right words or know exactly how to explain what you’re feeling. Start wherever you’re comfortable.
- Your safety matters
- Crisis responders focus on helping you find support and stay safe. If there is an immediate danger to someone’s life, emergency assistance may be considered. You can ask the responder about their procedures.
- Your privacy matters, too
- Crisis services generally protect your privacy, although confidentiality has limits that vary by organization and situation. You can ask about those limits before sharing personal information.
