National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Connect with caring individuals; via the phone or via online chat. You aren’t alone! No matter who you are or what problems you are struggling with, hurting yourself isn’t the answer. We want to help you find hope.

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Why Call?

No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

Who Should Call?

If you feel you are in a crisis, whether or not you are thinking about killing yourself, please call the Lifeline. People have called us for help with substance abuse, economic worries, relationship and family problems, sexual orientation, illness, getting over abuse, depression, mental and physical illness, and even loneliness.

What Happens When I Call?

When you dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255), you are calling the crisis center in the Lifeline network closest to your location. After you call, you will hear a message saying you have reached the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You will hear hold music while your call is being routed. You will be helped by a skilled, trained crisis worker who will listen to your problems and will tell you about mental health services in your area. Your call is confidential and free.

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Lifeline Crisis Chat

suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/lifelinechat.aspx

ABOUT LIFELINE CRISIS CHAT:  Hours of Operation: 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) If the service appears offline or busy, please call the Lifeline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255). We are available 24/7.

Lifeline Crisis Chat is a service of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in partnership with CONTACT USA. [To learn more about this partnership click here]. It is the first service of its kind where crisis centers across the United States have joined together to form one national chat network that can provide online emotional support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services. All crisis centers that participate in the Lifeline Crisis Chat program are members of the Lifeline phone network and are required to be accredited by CONTACT USA in the area of online emotional support.

Who should use the Lifeline Crisis Chat program?

Anyone who is depressed, despairing, going through a hard time, or just needs to talk, including people who are thinking about suicide. Any life issues may be discussed on the Chat program. The chat specialists are here to listen and support you through whatever difficult times you may be facing.

What should I expect during a Lifeline Crisis Chat session?

The goal of the Lifeline Crisis Chat service is to help you reduce stress and feel empowered to make healthy decisions. You will be asked questions regarding your safety, emotions and thoughts surrounding the situation, feelings of depression, your current social situation, and if you have any thoughts of suicide. If a chat specialist feels you are in danger they will speak with you about accessing emergency services, and/or additional contact information to ensure your safety. The chat specialist will work with you to create a safety plan if necessary.

Are all Lifeline Crisis Chat communications secure and confidential?

The confidentiality and security of chats is ensured through the Lifeline chat software provider, which uses the same encryption and data protection standards required by major financial institutions to transact business with each other. All of your communications are securely encrypted from your computer to ours.