Whether you’re in crisis or are just looking help for a friend or family member, there are dozens of organizations available to help you deal with a variety of immediate concerns, from crisis situations and domestic violence, to rape and substance abuse. Most of these hotlines are available 24 hours a day, and can help you with whatever level of assistance you need — from general information about the topic, to helping you find an immediate intervention. The hotlines below are listed in alphabetical order according to topic.
Calling a hotline can be daunting, we know. But understand that every hotline is staffed by specially trained volunteers to help you through your situation. Taking that first step and picking up the phone can be one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do — but you can do it!
Know that hotlines are not the same as psychotherapy. Hotlines are not staffed or setup to talk to the same folks day after day about their concerns or needs. That doesn’t mean you can only call a hotline once, just that you shouldn’t be calling on a daily basis without seeking other forms of treatment or assistance. For mental health concerns, that means finding a therapist you can talk to or, in some cases, seeking out inpatient care.
If you’re suicidal, we recommend contacting the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 988 (or 800-273-8255). Additional crisis and suicide hotlines are available in the category below, Crises and Suicide.
Need help for domestic violence? Call toll-free: 800-799-7233 (SAFE).
Immediate Online Assistance
Try one of these free crisis chat services:
Crisis Text Line (on your smartphone)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
AIDS
AIDS Info: Treatment, Prevention and Research
(800) HIV-0440
ALCOHOL
Al-Anon for Families of Alcoholics
Automated meeting information
(800) 344-2666
Families Anonymous – 12-step program similar to Al-Anon, meeting information only
(800) 736-9805
SAMHSA National Helpline
800-662-HELP (4357)
CHILD ABUSE
California Child Protection Hotline
Within CA only: (800) 540-4000
Massachusetts Child Abuse Hotline
(800) 792-5200
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
(800) 422-4453
Covenant House – Help for runaways
(800) 999-9999
CRISIS & SUICIDE
Girls & Boys Town National Hotline
(800) 448-3000
International Suicide Hotlines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – For youth and adults
(800) 273-TALK (8255)
Samaritans (UK Crisis Help, Anywhere in the UK or Ireland)
116 123
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-7233
Rape, Sexual Assault, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
(800) 656-HOPE
MEDICAL
American Association of Poison Control Centers
(800) 222-1222
OTHER
Disaster Distress Hotline (SAMHSA)
(800) 985-5990
National Eating Disorders Center Helpline
(800) 931-2237
Open M-F, 9-9pm
Shoplifters Anonymous
(800) 848-9595
Open M-F, 9-5pm; otherwise use their website
San Francisco Sex Information
(415) 989 SFSI
Open M-Thur, 3-9pm PT
Veteran’s Crisis Line
(800) 273-8255
YouthLine
(877) 968-8491
Text TEEN2TEEN to 839863
PREGNANCY
Planned Parenthood Hotline
(800) 230-PLAN (7526)
RAPE & SEXUAL ASSAULT
Rape, Sexual Assault, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
(800) 656-HOPE
National Domestic Violence Hotline / Child Abuse / Sexual Abuse
(800) 799-7233
RUNNING AWAY
National Runaway Safeline
800-RUN-AWAY
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
(800) 843-5678
Child Find of America Helpline
(800) 426-5678
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
(800) 662-4357
Poison Control
(800) 222-1222
National Institute on Drug Abuse Hotline
(800) 662-4357
Cocaine Anonymous
(800) 347-8998