How Do I Know if I Need Help?
A mental health crisis is not always about a life-threatening emergency, or suidical thoughts. You can reach out for professional help when you are
- feeling overwhelmed with emotion
- needing someone to talk to
- considering self-harm
- worried about someone else in trouble
Who Do I Call if I Need Help Right Away?
Navigating mental health challenges can be overwhelming, especially during times of stress, crisis, or transition. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself, a loved one, or a member of your community, this curated list of suicide, mental health crisis lines and support resources offers vital connections to care—especially for vulnerable populations
These free, confidential services are available 24 hours per day, seven days a week, to connect you to mental health and resilience supports to provide guidance, safety, and healing when it’s needed most.
National Crisis Lifelines
Call, text, or chat 24/7 for emotional support from trained counselors.
988 Suicide & Crisis Support
📞 Call or Text: 988
📞1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4365)
Toll-free, multilingual, crisis support for those experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
📞1-800-985-5990.
Calling or texting 988 connects you with trained crisis counselors whose only goal is to listen, support you, and help you get through a hard moment safely.
Resources For North Carolina Residents
Free, confidential mental health support including peer groups and outreach, available to Helene survivors and other residents of North Carolina
Hope4NC Helpline if you are experiencing stress, emotional fatigue, a mental health crisis, or just need someone to talk to,
📞1-855-587-3463
NC Peer Warm Line to chat with someone like you who has personal experience or history with substance use or mental health issues.
📞 1-855-PEERS-NC / 1-855-733-7762.
Hope 4 Healers Helpline for frontline health care professionals, emergency medical specialists, first responders, healthcare workers, and their families
📞919-226-2002
Vaya Behavioral Health Crisis Line
Crisis Support For First Responders
Safe Call Now: Responder Strong is for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their family members nationwide.
📞 (206) 459-3020
Text BADGE to 741-741
Copline is a confidential, 24-hour law enforcement officer hotline manned by retired law enforcement officers trained in active listening.
📞1-800-COPLINE (1-800-267-5463)
Additional Resources
Explore hundreds of other FREE mental health resources from The Mental Health Coalition.
- Community-specific resources
- Condition-specific resources
- General information and resources
Reminder: You don’t already have to be on the edge of a crisis to reach out. If you’re struggling, that’s more than enough.
What to Expect When You Call A Crisis Line
Reaching out for help can feel scary, especially when you’re already overwhelmed, anxious, or feeling hopeless. Many people hesitate because they don’t know what will happen when they call a crisis line.
In most cases, it’s simply a conversation with someone who cares and wants to help you find your next step. They’re there to
- listen without judgement
- de-escalate the situation
- provide comfort
- help you create a safety plan
- connect you with helpful tools and resources
- provide support, not pressure
If you call 988: Follow the prompts on the automated message to be connected to a live counselor that will introduce themselves, and ask you questions about your safety and situation.
If you text 988: Follow the prompts on the automated message to complete a survey about your safety and situation before being introduced to a live counselor who will provide support.
If you chat 988: Agree to the Terms of Service, complete a survey about your safety and situation before being connected to a live counselor who can provide support.
Emergency personnel will only be issued if there is an immediate risk to safety.
You deserve to be heard, and helped. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 anytime in the U.S.
Supporting Yourself
Name It to Tame It. When stress, anxiety, or overwhelm show up, the first step is simply noticing. Naming what you’re feeling—whether it’s frustration, grief, or fear—helps bring clarity and calm. It’s not about fixing it instantly; it’s about acknowledging your experience so your nervous system can begin to settle.
Practice Self-care. Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and quiet time—it’s about creating space to recharge. That might mean setting boundaries, getting enough sleep, moving your body, or taking a few deep breaths between meetings. Small, consistent acts of care help build resilience over time.
Feel Your Feelings. Emotions are messengers, not enemies. Let yourself feel what you feel without judgment. Whether it’s sadness, anger, or joy, giving yourself permission to experience emotions fully allows them to move through you rather than get stuck.
Reach Out to Others. Connection is a powerful regulator. When life feels heavy, talking to someone you trust can lighten the load. You don’t have to have the perfect words—just showing up and sharing what’s real can make a world of difference.
Supporting Others
Check In Often. Don’t wait for someone to ask for help. A simple “How are you really doing?” can open the door to meaningful support. You can be someone’s vital support system in their time of crisis simply by checking in with a quick phone call or a text.Regular and spontaneous check-ins remind people they’re not alone. This is especially important after difficult life transitions like the loss of a loved one, a job, or a relationship or during a natural disaster or other crisis event.
Listen Without judgment. Sometimes the most healing thing you can offer is your presence. Let others speak freely without rushing to fix or advise. Listening with empathy creates safety and trust.
Encourage Professional Help. If someone is struggling beyond what you can support, gently suggest they speak with a counselor, therapist, or doctor. You don’t have to be their solution—you just have to help them find one.
Don’t Forget the Strong Ones. Those with a history of depression, anxiety or substance abuse are particularly at risk, but you never know what other could be facing too. While sometimes the obvious signs are there, sometimes people show no signs of struggling at all. So don’t overlook the ones who never ask for help, those who always seem to be busy, or appear to have it all together. The people who are there for everyone else need people who are there for them too!
Remember, EVERYONE has mental health, and it’s up to all of us to end the stigma against asking, or receiving, help for being human. You are not alone. Support is available.
As a reminder, Resources For Resilience programming and content is educational and not a substitute for professional mental health care, therapy, counseling, or medical care. Always consult your physician or other qualified health professional with any concerns, and use the resources above if you find yourself experiencing a mental health crisis.