Learn the benefits of calling a suicide hotline, find out what to expect when you call and locate national, international and local resources.
Suicidal thoughts can be hard to discuss with friends and loved ones. Knowing who to talk to or feeling safe talking about these thoughts can seem impossible. In these cases, a suicide prevention hotline may be a good option. Suicide hotlines provide judgment-free support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Calling a suicide crisis hotline can be intimidating. While it may seem overwhelming or even scary to call someone to discuss suicidal thoughts, suicide helplines are staffed by individuals trained to handle these types of calls.
When Should You Call a Suicide Hotline?
Calling a suicide hotline may not always be the best course of action to take, so it is important to know when to call a suicide hotline and when to use other resources.
You may benefit most from calling a 24-hour suicide hotline if you have been experiencing any of the following:
- Thinking you would be better off dead
- Believing it would be better for others if you weren’t around
- Wanting to go to sleep and never wake up
- Having specific thoughts of harming or killing yourself
- Believing that you are a burden to others
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
What Kinds of Questions Will You Be Asked?
One fear associated with calling a suicide hotline is not knowing what happens when you call a suicide hotline. Being prepared with this information before you call can ease some of this stress. When you call a suicide hotline, the first question you are asked will typically assess why you are calling. After this, the hotline operator may ask questions to determine if you are safe.
To get the best results and the most helpful assistance, it is important to be honest and open when answering questions, even if they seem irrelevant.
Benefits of Calling a Suicide Hotline
There are many benefits of suicide hotlines. Calling can:
- Provide support when you need it most
- Help you focus on healthy coping skills
- Connect you to with local resources and emergency services (when appropriate)
Are Suicide Hotlines Free?
Unlike therapy options which are conducted over the phone or online, suicide hotlines are free without any hidden charges. A free suicide hotline can allow you to speak with someone when you are in a crisis, regardless of if you have insurance. Most toll-free suicide hotlines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, giving you a free resource anytime you need it.
Is My Call Confidential?
One feature of most suicide hotlines is that they are committed to protecting your privacy. Anonymous suicide hotlines allow callers to speak with supportive operators without revealing their identity or other personal details. Confidential suicide hotlines may gather information such as your name and location but will not share this information or use it unless there is a serious concern for your safety or the safety of someone else. Even in these cases, confidentiality is protected to the highest degree possible.
National Suicide Hotlines
There are several national suicide hotlines accessible from nearly anywhere in the United States. These national suicide prevention hotlines can be used by anyone in the country, at any time. The most reputable of these hotlines is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Individuals who feel particularly uncomfortable talking about their suicidal thoughts may find a suicide hotline online chat to be a more accessible option. Online suicide hotlines and suicide hotline text lines allow people to chat online or via text with support personnel. Some crisis line text numbers and online chats available include:
- Lifeline Crisis Chat: Online chat option in your web browser
- Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741-741
In addition to general national helplines, there are several helplines dedicated to special populations such as teenagers. For example, Teen Line is a teen suicide hotline that has both call and text options. This service even provides a teen suicide prevention hotline app for smartphones among other ways to connect.
Reach youth suicide hotline at:
Due to discrimination, LGBTQ youths are often at a higher risk of suicide. In order to best support this group, there are specific LGBT suicide hotlines such as the Trevor Project hotline. The Trevor Project can be reached in any of the following ways:
- Call 1-866-488-7346
- Text START to 678-678
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) runs a veterans crisis line providing specialized help for veterans. Many operators at the veterans’ suicide hotline are veterans themselves. The veterans’ crisis line number can be reached in the following ways:
- Call 1-800-273-8255
- Text 828-255
For individuals who would rather reach out to a Christian crisis service, there are some options for Christian suicide hotlines, including:
- The Prayer and Crisis Line: 1-866-599-2264
- NeedHim.org: Text 320-345-3455 or chat online
International Suicide Hotlines
Many countries have their own hotlines. If you live abroad or are traveling, there may be an international suicide hotline available to you. These can be located using an international suicide hotline finder such as Befrienders Worldwide.
Additional suicide hotlines in specific countries can be found online on various websites, including the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and WhatsApp.
Suicide Hotline Finder
If you would like to find a hotline near you, you may wish to use an online suicide hotline finder. Additional resources for specific populations, including gender, race, and age-specific resources, can also be found online.
Local Suicide Hotlines
If you would prefer to call a local suicide hotline instead of a national hotline, there are many local suicide prevention hotlines available. However, unlike most national options, local hotlines may not be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Local suicide hotline numbers by the state served include:
Browse by State
NAMI Alabama
(800) 626-4199
Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center
(205) 387-0541
AFSP Alabama
(205) 355-1876
Crisis Center
(205) 323-7777
Crisis Services of North Alabama
(800) 691-8426
Alabama 2-1-1
211
NAMI Alaska
(907) 277-1300
Mental Health Association in Alaska
(907) 563-0880
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
(907) 269-7960
Alaska Division of Behavioral Health
(907) 465-3370
Alaska CARELINE
(877) 266-4357
NAMI Arizona
(602) 244-8166
Mental Health Association of Arizona
(480) 982-5305
EMPACT – Suicide Prevention Center
(480) 784-1514
Teen Lifeline
(602) 248-8337
NAMI Arkansas
(800) 844-0381
Mental Health Council of Arkansas
(501) 372-7062
Arkansas Crisis Center
(888) 274-7472
NAMI California
(916) 567-0163
California Mental Health Service Authority
(916) 859-4827
AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) San Francisco
(707) 968-7563
California Accredited Crisis Centers
(800) 273-8255
Friends for Survival
(916) 392-0664
Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention
(303) 692-2369
NAMI Colorado
(303) 321-3104
Mental Health Colorado
(720) 208-2220
Sources of Strength
(701) 471-7186
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
(303) 429-3530
University of Colorado Depression Center
(303) 724-3300
NAMI Connecticut
(860) 882-0236
Mental Health Association Connecticut
(860) 529-1970
The United Way of CT
(800) 273-8255
NAMI Delaware
(302) 427-0787
Mental Health Association in Delaware
(302) 654-6833
New Directions Delaware
(302) 286-1161
NAMI DC
(202) 546-0646
Mental Health America – Washington DC
(202) 806-7707
AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) – National Capital Area
(646) 632-5189
DC Behavioral Health Association
(202) 481-1419
NAMI – Florida
(850) 671-4445
Mental Health America of Northeast Florida
(904) 738-8420
Mental Health Association of Central Florida
(407) 855-0588
AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) – Central Florida
(407) 415-8757
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Inc.
(813) 964-1964 x3043
NAMI – Georgia
(770) 234-0855
Mental Health Association of Georgia
(404) 527-7175
AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) – Georgia
(770) 843-3836
Behavioral Health Link
(404) 420-3202
NAMI Hawaii
(808) 591-1297
Mental Health America of Hawaii
(808) 521-1846
AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) Hawaii Chapter
(808) 521-6110
Mental Health Kokua United Way Hawai’i
(808) 737-2523
NAMI Boise
(208) 376-4304
SPAN Idaho
(208) 860-1703
Centerstone – Illinois locations
(855) 608-3560
Crisis Line of Will and Grundy Counties
(815) 722-3344 x815
Greater Chicago/Illinois Chapter (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
(312) 890-2377
IL Mental Health Collaborative / IL Warm Line
(866) 359-7953
Mental Health America of Illinois
(312) 368-9070
NAMI Illinois
(800) 346-4572
Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
(312) 467-2552
Riveredge Hospital
(708) 771-7000
Suicide Prevention Services of America
(630) 482-9699
NAMI Indiana
(800) 677-6442
Mental Health America of Indiana
(317) 638-3501
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Indiana Chapter
(317) 517-5973
Purdue University Fort Wayne – Behavioral Health and Family Studies Institute
(260) 481-4184
Indiana Division of Mental Health & Addiction
(317) 232-7935
LookUp Indiana
(800) 284-8439
NAMI Iowa Chapter
(515) 254-0417
AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) Iowa
(641) 990-4957
Foundation 2
(800) 332-4224
Your Life Iowa
(855) 581-8111
Polk County Suicide Prevention Coalition-Polk County Health Department
(515) 286-3430
Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center
(785) 841-9900
NAMI Kansas
(800) 539-2660
Mental Health America of the Heartland
(913) 281-2221
AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) Greater Kansas
(913) 620-4136
NAMI Kentucky
(502) 245-5284
Mental Health Association of Kentucky
(859) 684-7778
AFSP Kentucky – Support Groups
(502) 396-8996
Kentucky Mental Health Coalition
(877) 894-0222
NAMI Louisiana
(866) 851-6264
Mental Health America in Louisiana
(225) 978-2177
Via Link (Listening, Understanding, Connecting)
(800) 749-2673
Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center
(800) 437-0303
NAMI Maine
(800) 464-5767
NAMI Maryland
(410) 863-0470
Mental Health Association of Maryland
(800) 572-6426
Mental Health Association in Talbot County
(888) 706-9902
AFSP Maryland
(202) 770-8973
AFSP-Greater Boston
(508) 450-3309
Massachusetts Association for Mental Health
(617) 742-7452
NAMI Massachusetts
(617) 580-8541
Riverside Trauma Center
(781) 433-0672
Michigan Suicide Hotlines
(800) 273-8255
NAMI Michigan
(517) 485-4049
Mental Health Association in Michigan
(248) 647-1711
AFSP – Metro Detroit/Ann Arbor
(312) 402-2006
NAMI Minnesota
(888) 473-0237
Mental Health Association Minnesota
(651) 493-6634
SAVE – Suicide Survivor Support
(952) 946-7998
Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
(651) 644-7333
Canvas Health
(866) 379-6363
Minnesota Carlton County Public Health and Human Services
(888) 818-4511
NAMI Mississippi
(800) 357-0388
Mental Health Association of South Mississippi
(228) 864-6274
AFSP Mississippi
(205) 335-1876
Brentwood Behavioral Healthcare of Mississippi
(800) 863-4004
Southwest Mississippi Mental Health Complex
(601) 684-2173
NAMI Missouri
(800) 950-6264
Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri
(800) 359-5695
AFSP Greater Mid-Missouri
(312) 402-2006
Pharmacists Preventing Suicides
(314) 517-8708
Suicide Awareness Survivor Support
(913) 681-3050
Kids Under Twenty One (KUTO)
(314) 963-7571
NAMI Montana
(406) 443-7871
Montana Mental Health Association
(888) 268-2743 x406
Montana Children’s Initiative
(406) 256-3585
Critical Illness and Trauma Foundation
(406) 585-2659
NAMI Nebraska
(877) 463-6264
Mental Health Association of Nebraska
(800) 422-6691
AFSP Nebraska
(402) 681-9109
The Kim Foundation
(402) 891-6997
NAMI Nevada
(775) 336-3090
Nevada 211
(866) 535-5654
NAMI NH
(603) 225-5359 x315
New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association
(603) 225-6633
NAMI-NH CONNECT Suicide Prevention Program
(800) 242-6264
NAMI New Jersey
(732) 940-0991
Mental Health Association in New Jersey
(973) 571-4100
New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addictions Agencies, Inc.
(609) 838-5488
New Jersey Hopeline
(855) 654-6735
NAMI New Mexico
(505) 260-0154
Mental Health Association of New Mexico
(505) 425-7030
Honoring Native Life
(505) 272-6238
NAMI New York State
(518) 462-2000
The Mental Health Association in New York State
(518) 434-0439
Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide – University of Rochester Medical Center
(585) 275-9251
Center for the Promotion of Mental Health in Juvenile Justice
(212) 305-6001
The Samaritans of New York
(212) 673-3041
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-North Carolina
(919) 356-2488
NAMI North Carolina
(919) 788-0801
Mental Health Association in Forsyth County
(336) 768-3880
REAL Crisis Center
(252) 758-4357
Hopeline, Inc.
(919) 832-3326
Family Services, Inc.
(336) 722-8173
Durham Yellow Ribbon Program
(919) 544-7997
Task Force on Mental Health and Substance Abuse
(919) 855-4800
FirstLink, Fargo
(701) 293-6462
AFSP North Dakota – State Fact Sheet
(701) 219-4110
Native American Development Center
(701) 595-5181
Pride Collective (Serving Minnesota and North Dakota)
(218) 287-8034
North Dakota Cares Coalition
(701) 333-2012
NAMI- North Dakota
(701) 857-3345
NAMI Ohio
(614) 224-2700
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Center for Suicide Prevention and Research
(614) 355-0850
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
(614) 466-2596
Mental Health America of Franklin County
(614) 221-1441
AFSP Central Ohio
(317) 517-5973
Consolidated Care, Inc.
(800) 465-8065
NAMI Oklahoma
(800) 583-1264
Mental Health Association of Oklahoma
(918) 585-1213
AFSP Oklahoma
(312) 402-2006
Oklahoma Mental Health and Aging Coalition
(406) 632-1900
Oklahoma HeartLine (211)
(405) 848-2273
NAMI Oregon
(800) 343-6264
Mental Health America of Oregon
(503) 922-2377
AFSP Oregon
(503) 951-3012
Lane County Suicide Prevention
(541) 682-3650
Washington County Suicide Prevention Council
(503) 846-4748
NAMI Pennsylvania
(800) 950-6264
Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania
(717) 346-0549
AFSP Central Pennsylvania
(215) 746-7256
Services for Teens at Risk (STAR) – Center
(412) 246-5598
NAMI – Rhode Island
(800) 749-3197
Mental Health Association of Rhode Island
Kid’s Link RI
(855) 543-5465
Parent Support Network of Rhode Island
(800) 483-8844
Samaritans, Inc. Rhode Island
(401) 272-4243
United Way of Rhode Island
(401) 444-0600
Rhode Island Student Assistance Services (RISAS)
(401) 732-8680
NAMI – South Carolina
(803) 733-9592
Mental Health America of South Carolina
(803) 779-5363
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – South Carolina Chapter
(803) 552-9318
Three Rivers Behavioral Health
(802) 796-9911
NAMI South Dakota
(605) 271-1871
South Dakota Council of Mental Health Centers, Inc.
(605) 224-0123
Aliive – Roberts County
(605) 698-3477
HELPLine Center (211)
(605) 334-6646
NAMI Tennessee
(615) 361-6608
Mental Health Association of East Tennessee
(865) 584-9125
Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI)
(888) 881-2323
Tennessee Voices for Children
(615) 269-7751
NAMI Texas
(800) 633-3760
Hotline to Help – Austin Travis County Integral Care
(512) 472-4357
NAMI Utah
(801) 323-9900
Valley Behavioral Health
(888) 949-4864
Violence and Injury Prevention Program
(801) 538-6865
Intermountain Healthcare
(801) 442-2000
Vermont Department of Mental Health
(802) 241-0113
University of Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP)
(802) 656-8210
NAMI – Vermont
(802) 244-1396
Vermont 2-1-1
(866) 652-4636
PEAR: People Education Advocacy Recovery
(802) 223-6263
NAMI Virginia
(888) 486-8264
Mental Health America of Virginia
(804) 257-5591
AFSP Virginia
(646) 632-5189
The Crisis Center, Inc.
(276) 466-2312
ACTS Helpline/Suicide Prevention Hotline
(703) 441-8606
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services – PRS CrisisLink
(703) 536-9000
The Planning Council
(800) 410-9774
Forefront Innovations in Suicide Prevention
(206) 543-1016
Safer Homes Coalition
(206) 543-1016
AFSP Washington State Chapter
(206) 459-7617
NAMI Seattle
(206) 783-9264
Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center
(206) 744-9430
West Virginia Behavioral Health Providers Association
(304) 343-0728
NAMI Wisconsin
(608) 268-6000
Wisconsin United for Mental Health
(866) 948-6483
NAMI Wyoming
(888) 882-4968
Grace for 2 Brothers
(307) 256-3344
Wyoming Association of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Centers
(307) 855-9883
If you are struggling with substance use and a mental health condition that may be causing suicidal thoughts, The Recovery Village may be able to provide you with dual diagnosis treatment. Contact The Recovery Village today to learn more about options for treating co-occurring disorders
SuicideHotline.com. “Hotlines in Your State.” April 29, 2018. Accessed on May 17, 2019.
USA Today. “What Actually Happens When You Call You […]e Prevention Hotline.” September 10, 2018. Accessed on May 17, 2019.
iFred.com. “Suicide Hotlines.” Accessed on May 17, 2019.
SuicidePreventionLifeline.org “Talk to Someone Now.” Accessed on May 17, 2019.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.