¶ Global Crisis Hotlines and Helplines
If you're in crisis right now, you're not alone.
Help is available immediately, confidentially, and without judgment.
This page connects you to crisis and emotional support resources worldwide.
⚠️ Content note: This page discusses suicide, abuse, self-harm, and violence.
Many hotlines are linked to police or involuntary hospitalization. If avoiding those systems is important to you, read the notes on each regional page and consider peer-run or text/chat options where available.
Availability, quality, and accessibility vary widely across countries and regions.
Recent Changes That May Affect You:
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Trans Lifeline (US/Canada) - Now operates Monday-Friday 10am-6pm Pacific Time ONLY (no longer 24/7). Call 1-877-565-8860 (US) or 1-877-330-6366 (Canada).
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988 LGBTQ+ "Press 3" Option (US) - TERMINATED July 2025. LGBTQ+ individuals should call The Trevor Project directly at 1-866-488-7386 instead.
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Countries with NO verified crisis hotlines: Egypt, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and parts of Vietnam have no functioning telephone crisis services. Use emergency services (ambulance/police) or go to hospital emergency departments.
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Wrong numbers corrected: If you've used crisis services in Jamaica, Romania, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji, or Papua New Guinea, verify you have current numbers on regional pages.
- Select your region below to find country-specific resources
- Look for notes on:
- Languages available
- Text/chat options
- Deaf/hard-of-hearing access
- Peer-run vs. clinical services
- Whether lines involve police/hospitalization
- Check global directories for additional options
- Consider peer and community-based support when available
North America Crisis Resources
- United States (988, Crisis Text Line, peer warmlines)
- Canada (988, Crisis Services Canada)
- Mexico
- Caribbean (18 countries)
- Central America (7 countries)
Quick access:
- US/Canada: 988 (call or text, 24/7)
- ⚠️ Note: LGBTQ+ "Press 3" option terminated July 2025. LGBTQ+ individuals call Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
- US: Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line, 24/7)
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (US) or 1-877-330-6366 (Canada)
- ⚠️ Hours reduced: M-F 10am-6pm PT only (NOT 24/7)
- Emergency: 911 (US, Canada, Mexico, most Caribbean/Central America)
South America Crisis Resources
Quick access:
- Brazil: 188 (CVV, 24/7) - Detailed page
- See regional page for other country-specific numbers
Europe Crisis Resources
- 30+ countries organized by region
- Western Europe (8 countries)
- Northern Europe (5 countries)
- Southern Europe (4 countries)
- Central & Eastern Europe (5 countries)
- Balkans & Southeast Europe (5 countries)
- Baltic States (3 countries)
Quick access:
- Pan-European Emergency: 112 (works in all EU countries)
- UK: 116-123 (Samaritans)
- Germany: 0800-111-0-111
- See regional page for country-specific numbers
Africa Crisis Resources
- Northern Africa (5 countries) - ⚠️ Egypt has NO suicide hotline
- Western Africa (3 countries including Nigeria detailed page)
- Eastern Africa (4 countries) - ⚠️ Ethiopia has NO dedicated crisis line
- Southern Africa (4 countries including South Africa detailed page)
- Central Africa (2 countries)
Context note: Service availability varies significantly. Many countries have no 24/7 crisis hotlines. The regional page includes guidance on alternative support options when formal crisis services are limited.
Quick access:
- South Africa: 0800-567-567 (SADAG) | 0861-322-322 (LifeLine) - Detailed page
- Nigeria: 0800-800-2000 (She Writes Woman, 24/7 toll-free) - Detailed page
- ⚠️ Egypt, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe: No telephone crisis lines - use emergency services
- See regional page for other country-specific numbers
Asia & Pacific Crisis Resources
- East Asia (5 countries)
- Southeast Asia (6 countries including Indonesia detailed page)
- South Asia (5 countries)
- Pacific Islands & Oceania (4 countries)
- Central Asia (2 countries)
Quick access:
- Australia: 13-11-14 (Lifeline) | 13-92-76 (13YARN for Indigenous peoples)
- New Zealand: 0800-543-354 (Lifeline) | 1737 (Need to Talk)
- India: 14416 (Tele-MANAS, government 24/7) | 91-9820466726 (AASRA)
- Hong Kong: 18111 (Government mental health, 24/7, launched Dec 2023)
- Indonesia: 119 ext 8 - Detailed page
- Japan: 0120-279-338 (Yorisoi, 24/7) | 03-5774-0992 (TELL English, 9am-11pm)
- ⚠️ Vietnam: Limited services available
- See regional page for country-specific numbers
Some countries have comprehensive crisis resource pages with local context, disability-specific resources, and detailed service information:
More detailed country pages coming soon. If you'd like to contribute a detailed page for your country, see How to Contribute.
When possible, we link to official directories that stay more up-to-date than static lists:
- Website: https://befrienders.org
- International directory of emotional support centers
- Covers 30+ countries across all continents
- Member organizations provide suicide prevention and emotional support
- Website: https://www.iasp.info
- Country-by-country crisis resource listing
- Updated regularly by member organizations
- Website: https://findahelpline.com
- Searchable global database of crisis services
- Includes filters for language, service type, and availability
¶ Peer and Community-Based Support
Where available, we highlight alternatives to traditional clinical crisis services:
Warmlines provide emotional support that is not limited to "imminent crisis." They're often staffed by peers with lived experience and can be safer for people who've been harmed by medical or carceral systems.
US Warmlines:
Other countries:
- Warmlines are less common outside the US
- Some crisis lines operate on peer support models (noted on regional pages)
Staffed by people with lived experience of mental health, disability, or distress:
LGBTQ+ Youth:
- The Trevor Project (US): 1-866-488-7386 (call, 24/7), text START to 678-678
- ⚠️ Important: The 988 LGBTQ+ "Press 3" option was terminated by the federal government in July 2025. LGBTQ+ individuals should call Trevor Project directly.
- See regional pages for country-specific LGBTQ+ resources
Indigenous Peoples:
- Hope for Wellness Helpline (Canada): 1-855-242-3310 (24/7)
- 13YARN (Australia): 13-92-76 (24/7, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
- StrongHearts Native Helpline (US/Canada): 1-844-762-8483 (domestic violence)
BIPOC Communities:
- BlackLine (US): 1-800-604-5841
- See regional pages for country-specific resources
Other Identity-Specific Lines:
- Listed on regional pages where available
- Include services for specific racial/ethnic communities, immigrants, refugees
¶ Text, Chat, and Digital Options
For those who prefer or need non-voice communication:
Available in:
- United States: Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line, 24/7)
- United States/Canada: Text 988 (24/7)
- Canada: Text 45645 (Crisis Services Canada, 4pm-midnight ET), 686868 (Kids Help Phone, 24/7)
- United Kingdom: Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7)
- Ireland: Text HELLO to 50808
- Australia: Text 0477-13-11-14 (Lifeline, 24/7)
- New Zealand: Text 234 (Youthline, 8am-midnight)
See regional pages for additional country-specific text options.
Many crisis services now offer web-based chat:
- Listed on regional pages where available
- Often provides similar support to phone lines
- May have different hours than phone services
Some services offer email support with longer response times:
- Typically 24-48 hour response
- Better for non-urgent support
- Listed on regional pages where available
¶ Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Access
Text-based services (SMS, chat) are often most accessible for Deaf/HoH individuals. See listings above and on regional pages.
Available in:
- United States: 988 (TTY: dial 711 then 988)
- United States: 1-800-799-7233 TTY 1-800-787-3224 (National Domestic Violence Hotline)
- Other countries vary; check regional pages
¶ Video Relay and Sign Language
- Limited availability globally
- Some services in US, UK, and other countries
- Contact national Deaf associations for specific resources
- Sign language interpretation may be available through relay services
¶ Limitations and Cautions
- Crisis services change frequently
- New services launch; others close or change numbers
- Regional pages are more comprehensive but still not exhaustive
- Last comprehensive verification: December 2025 (62 corrections implemented)
- Contributors are encouraged to suggest additions and report outdated information
- Some toll-free numbers only work within their country
- International calling may not connect to free numbers
- Services may have reduced hours or staff shortages
- Always have a backup option
Some people find these services lifesaving. Others find them harmful.
Reasons services may be harmful:
- Police or emergency medical response without consent
- Involuntary hospitalization
- Discrimination based on race, disability, gender identity, immigration status
- Lack of cultural competency
- Breach of confidentiality
- Dismissive or judgmental attitudes
When possible, pair hotline information with:
- Local community resources
- Crisis centers with clear non-carceral policies
- Mutual aid groups
- Disability organizations
- Trusted individuals in your life
- Immediate emotional support - Someone to talk to right now
- Active listening - Non-judgmental conversation
- Safety planning - Help thinking through next steps
- Resource connections - Referrals to local services
- Follow-up options - Information about ongoing support
- "Do you contact police or emergency services?"
- "Under what circumstances would you break confidentiality?"
- "What languages do you support?"
- "Can I remain anonymous?"
- "Do you have peer counselors available?"
- You can hang up and try a different one
- Different services have different approaches
- Peer-run lines may feel different from clinical services
- Some specialize in specific communities or issues
Crisis lines help you get through right now. For ongoing support:
- Connect with local mental health services
- Reach out to community health centers
- Find disability organizations in your area
- Join peer support groups
- Consider mutual aid networks
- Build a personal safety network of trusted people
See these related pages:
Know of a crisis resource that should be listed?
This wiki is community-driven. See How to Contribute for information on:
- Suggesting new resources
- Updating outdated information
- Adding detail for specific countries or languages
- Sharing information about peer-run or community-based services
Priority additions:
- Peer-run and warmline services
- Identity-specific resources
- Text/chat options
- Deaf/hard-of-hearing accessible services
- Resources in underrepresented regions/languages
- 911: US, Canada, Mexico, most Caribbean and Central American countries
- Emergency varies: Some South American countries use different numbers (see regional page)
- 112: All EU countries plus many others in Europe
- Emergency numbers vary significantly
- Listed on each regional page
- Often 3-digit numbers (e.g., 999, 000, 111)
Last updated: December 2025
Verified December 4, 2025 - 60+ corrections implemented
In crisis right now?
- US/Canada: 988 (call or text, 24/7)
- LGBTQ+ youth: Call Trevor Project 1-866-488-7386
- US: Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line, 24/7)
- UK: 116-123 (Samaritans, 24/7)
- Australia: 13-11-14 (Lifeline, 24/7)
- Europe: 112 (emergency) or your country's crisis line
- Other regions: See your regional page above
⚠️ Trans Lifeline: M-F 10am-6pm PT only (not 24/7)
Everything else can wait.