If you're in crisis right now, você não está sozinho (you're not alone).
Help is available immediately, confidentially, and without judgment.
⚠️ Content note: This page discusses suicide, abuse, self-harm, and violence.
If that feels overwhelming, you can skip everything and just call the number below.
CVV – Centro de Valorização da Vida
- Phone: 188
- Cost: Free from any landline or mobile phone
- Hours: 24/7, every day of the year
- Website: https://www.cvv.org.br
- Chat: Available on the website (hours depend on volunteer availability)
- Email: [email protected] (response typically within 24 hours)
- Languages: Portuguese (primary); support in other languages may occur but is not guaranteed
What CVV provides:
- Immediate emotional support
- Suicide prevention
- Confidential, non-judgmental conversation
- Trained volunteers
- No identification or documents required
If unsure what to say, start with:
"Estou em crise."
(I'm in crisis.)
"Estou tendo pensamentos suicidas."
(I'm having suicidal thoughts.)
"Preciso conversar com alguém."
(I need to talk to someone.)
They will guide you from there.
CVV: 188 (24/7)
CAPS – Centros de Atenção Psicossocial
- Public mental-health centers offering psychiatric and psychological support
- Search: "CAPS [sua cidade]"
- Hours: Most CAPS operate Monday-Friday during business hours
- 24/7 CAPS: Only CAPS III and CAPS AD III operate 24 hours (limited locations)
- CVV: 188 (24/7)
- For follow-up care: contact your local CAPS or SUS health unit
¶ Abuse, Violence, and Exploitation
Ligue 180 – Central de Atendimento à Mulher
Services:
- Reports domestic violence, sexual violence, gender-based violence
- Provides orientation and referral to local protective services
- Confidential and free
Disque 100 – Direitos Humanos
- Phone: 100 (free, 24/7)
- WhatsApp: (61) 99611-0100
- Telegram: @DireitosHumanosBrasil
- Mobile app: "Direitos Humanos Brasil" (iOS/Android)
- Libras (video calls): Available at gov.br/mdh/pt-br/ondh
Reports violations against:
- Children and adolescents
- Older adults
- Disabled people
- LGBTQIA+ people
- Other vulnerable groups
You can report anonymously.
If sexual assault occurred within the last 72 hours, seek urgent medical care at a hospital that provides "atendimento a vítimas de violência sexual."
In São Paulo:
- Hospital da Mulher (formerly Hospital Pérola Byington)
- Address: Av. Rio Branco 1080, Campos Elíseos, São Paulo
- Services: 24-hour sexual violence care, forensic services, psychological support
- Phone: (11) 3197-0966
- Website: hospitaldamulhersp.org.br
In other cities:
- Search: "hospital violência sexual [sua cidade]"
- Go to nearest hospital emergency room or UPA
- CVV: 188 (24/7 emotional support)
- Disque 100: For reporting youth abuse/exploitation
- Local CAPS-i (child/adolescent CAPS) where available
- UNICEF Pode Falar: podefalar.org.br or WhatsApp (61) 9660-8843 (ages 13-24, anonymous chat support)
These are not crisis hotlines but can help with navigation, referrals, and protection:
- Support for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities
- 2,200+ locations across Brazil
- Website: apaebrasil.org.br
- Search: "APAE [sua cidade]"
FENEIS – Federação Nacional de Educação e Integração dos Surdos
- National Deaf rights organization
- Website: feneis.org.br
- State-level Deaf federations also exist
- Search: "FENEIS" or "Federação de Surdos [seu estado]"
If someone is in immediate physical danger or needs emergency care:
- SAMU (ambulance): 192
- Police: 190
- Fire Department: 193
- Go to the nearest hospital or UPA (Unidade de Pronto Atendimento)
These numbers are 24/7, free, and nationwide.
These organizations vary by city, but most medium and large municipalities have them.
They can help direct you to:
- CAPS
- Emergency mental-health services
- Psychologists and psychiatrists
- Crisis stabilization units
- Social assistance services
Search: "Secretaria de Saúde [sua cidade]"
For people experiencing:
- Family conflict
- Disability-related needs
- Poverty, food insecurity
- Domestic violence risk
- Need for referrals to shelters or protective services
Coverage: 8,360+ units in 97%+ of Brazilian municipalities
Search: "CRAS [sua cidade]"
For serious violations, including:
- Domestic violence
- Sexual violence
- Abuse or neglect
- Forced institutionalization
- Rights violations
Coverage: 2,780+ units nationwide
Search: "CREAS [sua cidade]"
Free legal help in:
- Violence cases
- Disability rights
- Housing insecurity
- Access to healthcare/SUS
- Social security issues
Search: "Defensoria Pública [estado]"
Often located inside:
- UPA (Unidade de Pronto Atendimento)
- Municipal hospitals
- Regional psychiatric emergency centers ("emergência psiquiátrica")
Note: UPAs operate 24/7 for urgent care, including psychiatric emergencies.
Search: "emergência psiquiátrica [sua cidade]"
- CVV Chat: via cvv.org.br (hours listed on site)
- CVV Email: [email protected]
- Ligue 180 WhatsApp: (61) 9610-0180
- Disque 100 WhatsApp: (61) 99611-0100
- UNICEF Pode Falar (ages 13-24): WhatsApp (61) 9660-8843 or podefalar.org.br
- 188 works from all mobile and landline phones
- Many CAPS and SUS mobile teams serve rural/remote communities
- WhatsApp options available with internet connection
Crisis lines help you get through right now.
Afterward, consider connecting with long-term support:
- CAPS (mental health treatment)
- UPA or hospital (medical or psychiatric evaluation)
- SUS / public health centers (UBS) (ongoing care)
- Local NGOs or disability organizations
- CRAS/CREAS for social support or protection
Recovery doesn't happen alone. Help is available.
All hotlines listed (188, 180, 100, 190, 192, 193) are free.
CVV, 180, and 100 respect confidentiality.
Authorities are contacted only if someone is in immediate danger.
- 24/7: 188, 180, 100, 190, 192, 193
- Variable hours: CAPS (most operate business hours; only CAPS III and CAPS AD III are 24/7), hospitals, NGOs
If you're asking yourself "sou doente o suficiente para ligar?" (am I sick enough to call?)—
You are. Call.
Last updated: December 2025
In crisis right now? Call 188. Everything else can wait.