Crisis Support: Accessible Information and Guidance
In the face of mental health challenges, it is essential to know that help is always within reach. Here is a roundup of various suicide prevention resources available worldwide, offering immediate crisis intervention and ongoing emotional support.
Starting in the United States, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides resources for family members and caregivers on a variety of issues, including how to help prevent suicide. Visit their website at [https://www.nami.org/](https://www.nami.org/) for more information.
For veterans, the Veterans Crisis Line is available to anyone, even those not registered or enrolled with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Reach out by phone at 800-273-8255 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.
The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide is an online resource for parents, caregivers, and educators to raise awareness about youth suicide. Visit their website at [https://www.sptsusa.org/](https://www.sptsusa.org/) to learn more.
SAMHSA's National Helpline offers confidential treatment referrals for people with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or both. Call 800-662-4357, and support for deaf people and those with hearing loss is available at 800-487-4889.
IMAlive is an online crisis center offering support from volunteers trained in crisis intervention via instant message.
Hope For The Day is a nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention, offering peer-to-peer suicide prevention trainings and resources on preventing suicide at the community level. Visit their website at [https://www.hftd.org/](https://www.hftd.org/) for more information.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (United States) can be reached by calling or texting 988, and offers 24/7 support.
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached by phone at 800-656-4673, and online chat support is available at [https://bit.ly/31L6uGM](https://bit.ly/31L6uGM).
The Trevor Project's online chat support is available at [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/) for LGBTQ+ youth.
AASRA Suicide Prevention Hotline (India) is a 24/7 helpline for suicide prevention, with additional resources available on their website and by email. Visit their website at [http://www.aasra.info/](http://www.aasra.info/) for more information.
The Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741741, and also offers 24/7 support.
Crisis Services Canada Hotline offers 24/7 support for those in crisis, with text and online chat options available as well. Visit their website at [http://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/](http://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/) for more information.
7 Cups of Tea is an online resource that offers free, anonymous, and confidential text chat with trained listeners and online therapists and counselors.
The National Institute of Mental Health provides information on children's mental health and well-being, including signs that a parent or caregiver should seek help.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America's (ADAA) online support group is a safe and supportive place to share information and experiences. Visit their website at [https://adaa.org/adaa-online-support-group](https://adaa.org/adaa-online-support-group) to learn more.
Online chat support is available 24/7 on the National Suicide Prevention Hotline's website: [https://chat.988lifeline.org/](https://chat.988lifeline.org/).
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention works to raise awareness and fund scientific research for those affected by suicide, offering resources on suicide warning signs and risk factors, fact sheets about suicide, and opportunities to volunteer. Visit their website at [https://afsp.org/](https://afsp.org/) for more information.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline provides support for deaf people and those with hearing loss via the 988 ASL Videophone.
The Veterans Crisis Line also offers online chat support at [http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat](http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat).
The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth via hotline, online chat, texting, and an online support center. Call 866-488-7386, and texting START to 678678 is available 24/7.
The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on emotional health and suicide prevention among U.S. teens and young adults. Visit their website at [https://www.jedfoundation.org/](https://www.jedfoundation.org/) for more information.
Befrienders Worldwide offers emotional support and connects individuals with local services. It provides an extensive list of support hotlines across the globe, including in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Live for Tomorrow, based in New Zealand, connects people to free mental health and crisis help globally. It offers an in-app crisis support system and workshops.
The International Suicide Hotline Directory provides a comprehensive list of international suicide hotlines, helping individuals find support in their region.
In North America, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (9-8-8) offers 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline, routing calls to the nearest crisis center. In Canada, the Suicide Crisis Helpline is accessible via the same 9-8-8 number, launched in November 2023.
In Europe, Ireland offers Samaritans (Freephone 116 123) and 50808, a free, confidential 24/7 crisis-intervention text-message service (can be reached by texting HELLO to 50808). Italy provides Servizio per la Prevenzione del Suicidio (SPS), offering psychological support Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Samaritans – ONLUS (available daily from 1 PM to 10 PM by calling 800 86 00 22 or 06 77208977), and Telefono Amico (provides services daily from 10 AM to midnight by calling 199284284).
In the Middle East, Israel offers Eran.org.il Suicide Line, which operates 24/7 and can be reached by calling 1201 or 972–9 8891333 from abroad.
NAMI Support Groups offer peer-led support groups for those facing mental health challenges. These groups can be found in the United States and can be accessed virtually. Warmlines are confidential, non-crisis hotlines staffed by peer volunteers who can empathize with and support others. They are available in various regions and can be found through directories like the NAMI National HelpLine Warmline Directory.
S.A.F.E. Alternatives is a nationally recognized treatment approach, professional network, and educational resource base committed to helping people achieve an end to self-injurious behavior. Self-Injury Outreach and Support is an international outreach organization offering a variety of resources for those who self-injure. The Kelty Mental Health Resource Center offers a wide range of information relating to mental health issues affecting children and young adults.
These resources provide a global network of support for individuals in distress, offering both immediate crisis intervention and ongoing emotional support. Reach out today if you or someone you know needs help.
1.The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers resources for caregivers on how to help prevent suicide, with information available on their website at https://www.nami.org/.
- In the area of mental health research, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention funds scientific research for those affected by suicide and provides resources on suicide warning signs and risk factors. More information can be found on their website at https://afsp.org/.
- Beyond national boundaries, Befrienders Worldwide connects individuals with local services and provides an extensive list of support hotlines across the globe, including in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This organization is a valuable resource for accessing international suicide hotlines.
