In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 in the US, available 24 hours a day. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Crisis resources
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Crisis resources

Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

It's free. It's confidential. It's available 24 hours a day in the United States. You don't have to be in immediate danger to call.

Call 988 Text 988

If you may hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist ยท Last reviewed 2026-06-25

This routing is here when you need it. If you're reading it for yourself, you can stop reading at any point and make the call. If you're reading it for someone you care about, the same is true. Help isn't something you have to earn. It's something to use.

Seek help today if any of these are happening

  • Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
  • A plan, intent, or access to means
  • An inability to care for yourself, eat, drink, or stay safe
  • Hallucinations, delusions, or a break from reality
  • A sudden, severe change in mood, judgment, or behavior
  • Substance use that has escalated past a point that feels controllable

What 988 is

988 is the national three-digit number in the United States for any mental health crisis, including thoughts of suicide. It's free, confidential, and answered 24 hours a day. You can call for yourself, or for someone you're worried about. The line has specialized routing for veterans (press 1), Spanish speakers (press 2), and LGBTQ+ youth and young adults (press 3). Text and chat options are available for people who can't or won't speak on the phone. 988 is coordinated by SAMHSA and operated by a national network of local crisis centers.

What happens when you call

A trained counselor answers, usually within seconds. They'll ask for a first name, which can be any name, and a few questions about what's going on. They listen without judgment. They don't involve emergency services unless there's an immediate threat to life that can't be addressed any other way, and most calls are handled entirely on the line. There's no time limit. If the call ends and warning signs come back later, you can call again.

For someone helping a person in crisis

If you're worried about someone, the most useful single thing you can do is ask directly. The research is consistent: asking someone whether they're thinking about suicide doesn't put the thought in their head. It opens a door. If they say yes, take it seriously. Don't try to talk them out of it, and don't promise to keep it secret. Stay with them, help them call 988, or take them to the emergency department. If lethal means are accessible, limit access if you can do so safely.

Crisis lines and support

Shrinktionary is for general education, not medical advice, and isn't a crisis service itself. The resources above are operated by the named organizations.