Crisis Hotlines
We personally contacted the hotlines and organizations listed here. All hotlines are confidential in nature, and all are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Those marked with * are geared specifically toward youth. Otherwise, all of these organizations are available to people of any age, sex, race, class, sexual orientation, and spiritual belief. (Note: Even the youth-oriented organizations will help people of any age find the resources they need.) If you are considering acting on suicidal thoughts, please note that 911 is not staffed by trained counselors. To reach a trained listener sensitive to the needs of suicidal thinkers, call one of the numbers below.
If you have already acted on suicidal thoughts and need immediate medical assistance or ambulance transport to a hospital, call 911.
If you do not see a hotline that fits your needs, please call any one of them and they will help you find the right number.
If you notice that a link or number listed below is out of date, please let us know at info@irkedmagazine.com
International
Crisis Hotlines
*If you live anywhere on the planet, and are feeling hopeless, CLICK HERE to find a suicide helpline near you.
Canada
Crisis Hotlines
*Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868
www.Kidshelp.sympatico.ca
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only national, bilingual, 24-hour, toll-free confidential and anonymous phone and web counseling, referral and information service for children and youth.
Kids Help Phone Parents’ Hotline
1-888-603-9100
http://www.parenthelpline.ca
National, bilingual telephone and Internet service offering confidential support, information and referrals to parents of children aged 0 to 19 years. Our professional counseling staff is available at your convenience, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Operation Go Home
1-800-668-4663
www.operationgohome.ca
Operation Go Home is a national, charitable, non-profit organization that has reunited thousands of runaway / street youth with their families across Canada. Bilingual crisis-support line is staffed 24 hours a day and 7 days a week with experienced and empathetic listeners.
Organizations
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP/ACPS)
Web: www.suicideprevention.ca
Email: casp@suicideprevention.ca (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-780-482-0198 (not a crisis hotline)
CASP is a national association of professionals and volunteers who saw the need to provide information and resources to communities to reduce the suicide rate and minimize the harmful consequences of suicidal behavior.
Suicide Information and Education Center (SIEC)
Web: www.suicideinfo.ca
Email: csp@suicideinfo.ca (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-403-245-3900 (not a crisis hotline)
SIEC [pronounced "seek"] is a specialized library and database providing information on suicide and suicidal behaviour , prevention, intervention and postvention. The SIEC database is available online, but does require purchasing a subscription (there are several options). The website also contains an extensive, searchable database (free) of local crisis hotlines throughout Canada.
The Canadian Women’s Health Network
Web: http://www.cwhn.ca
Email: cwhn@cwhn.ca (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-204-942-5500 (not a crisis number)
The CWHN is a network of individuals, groups, organizations and institutions concerned with women’s health. The CWHN recognizes the importance of information sharing, education and advocacy for women’s health and equality, and works to build and strengthen the women’s health movement in Canada and throughout the world.
Shelternet
Web: http://www.shelternet.ca
Email: jan@shelternet.ca (not a crisis address)
Shelternet is a Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization committed to decreasing the barriers faced by abused women accessing help online, and increasing the technological capacity of shelters. Website includes a clickable map (extensive) of shelters in Canada.
Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness
Web: http://www.abuserecovery.net
Email: info@abuserecovery.net (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-800-379-8858 (not a crisis number)
The CCAA exists to provide accessible support, healing and individual empowerment for survivors, children, families and caregivers and to eliminate child abuse through advocacy, education, public awareness and prevention programs by creating community and corporate partnerships.
Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies
Web: http://www.elizabethfry.ca
Email: caefs@web.ca (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-613-238-2422 (not a crisis number)
CAEFS is an association of self-governing, community-based Elizabeth Fry Societies that work with and for women and girls in the justice system, particularly those who are, or may be, criminalized.
PFLAG Canada
Web: http://www.pflagcanada.ca
Email: pflagcanada@nb.aibn.com (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-888-530-6777 (not a crisis number)
PFLAG Canada is a national voice that speaks for a more accepting Canadian society by providing support, education and resources on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.
United States
Crisis Hotlines
Kristin Brooks Hope Center/National Hopeline Network
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
www.livewithdepression.org
www.hopeline.com
The National Hopeline connects people who are depressed or suicidal—or those who are concerned about someone they love—automatically to the certified crisis hotline nearest to them. You can expect to reach a trained crisis counselor quickly (they aim to provide help within 20 to 30 seconds of a call being placed).
*Covenant House Nineline
1-800-999-9999
www.covenanthouse.org
In addition to food, shelter, clothing and crisis care, Covenant House provides a variety of services to homeless youth including health care, education, vocational preparation, drug abuse treatment and prevention programs, legal services, recreation, mother/child programs, transitional living programs, street outreach and aftercare.
*Girls and Boys Town National Hotline
1-800-448-3000
http://www.girlsandboystown.org/hotline/index.asp
Call with any problem, any time. The Girls and Boys Town National Hotline is a 24-hour crisis, resource and referral line. Trained counselors can respond to your questions every day of the week, 365 days a year. You can also cyber-chat with their trained counselors online.
*Trevor Project
1-800-850-8078
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/helpline.aspx
The Trevor Helpline is the only national toll-free 24-hour, 365 days-a-year confidential suicide hotline for gay and questioning teens.
Befrienders International
Many phone numbers (see website below)
www.befrienders.org
In 2003, Samaritans took on the former Befrienders International (now called Befrienders Worldwide) network of 401 volunteer centers in 38 countries, across 6 continents. These centers, run by thousands of volunteers, provide help to those in need of emotional support, in order to reduce the number of people who die by suicide, and enable people to explore their feelings in a confidential and non-judgmental environment. Free to call, available in many languages.
Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention (CFSP)
1-800-971-0016 – U.S. Friendship Line
www.gioa.org
The Friendship Line 1-800 number is the only national toll-free number offering telephone support to depressed, isolated, abused, and/or suicidal older adults. It is available 24-hours a day, year round. Seniors, family members, caregivers, and advocates can call our 1-800 number to receive emotional support, crisis intervention, and information and referral. The 1-800 number is available to anyone calling within the United States , either at home or on a public pay phone.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network)
1-800-656-HOPE, extension one
http://www.rainn.org
RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE and also carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. On their website, you’ll find statistics, counseling resources, prevention tips, news and more.
Military OneSource
1-800-464-8107
http://www.militaryonesource.com
Military OneSource is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, toll free information and referral telephone service available worldwide to all active duty service members and all Reservists and National Guard regardless of their active status in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps and their family members.
Organizations
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) National Hotline
Web: www.GLBTNationalHelpCenter.org
Toll-Free National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
*National Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743)
A program of the GLBT National Help Center
Dr. John Grohol’s Psych Central
Web: psychcentral.com
One of the oldest mental health databases online. Provides reliable and free mental health support, psychology information and resources. Updated often and reliably.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Web: www.apa.org
Phone: For a psychologist referral in your area, call 1-800-964-2000 (not a crisis hotline)
The APA is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States . Its membership includes more than 150,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students. APA works to advance psychology as a science and profession and as a means of promoting health, education, and human welfare. This is an informative and user-friendly site.
American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
Web: www.suicidology.org
Email: info@suicidology.org (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-202-237-2280 (not a crisis hotline)
AAS promotes research, public awareness programs, public education, and training for professionals and volunteers. In addition, AAS serves as a national clearinghouse for information on suicide.
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
Web: www.save.org
Phone: 1-952-946-7998 (not a crisis hotline)
The mission of SAVE is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, eliminate stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Web: www.afsp.org
Email: inquiry@afsp.org (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-212-363-3500 (not a crisis hotline)
AFSP is the only national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to funding research, developing prevention initiatives and offering educational programs and conferences for survivors, mental health professionals, physicians and the public.
*Focus Adolescent Services
Web: www.focusas.com
Email: focusashelp@aol.com (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-410-341-4216 (not a crisis hotline)
Internet clearinghouse of resources for families with troubled teens. Extensive, user-friendly website.
*Lite for Life Foundation-Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
Web: www.yellowribbon.org
Email: Ask4help@yellowribbon.org (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-303-429-3530 (not a crisis hotline)
The Yellow Ribbon program was founded in 1994 by the parents of a bright, funny, loving teen, Mike Emme, who took his life when he did not know the words to say, or how to let someone know he was in trouble and needed help. The ribbon became the symbol of the program when people began tying them in their hair and pinning them to their clothes on the day Mike died. Yellow was in memory of his cherished ‘68 Yellow Mustang.
Lifekeeper Foundation
Web: www.lifekeeper.org
Email: Lifekeeper@aol.com (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-678-937-9297 (not a crisis hotline)
The Lifekeeper Foundation is a non-profit organization that was formed to promote suicide awareness, education, and prevention through art forms such as Lifekeeper Jewelry, Poetry, and the Lifekeeper National Memory Quilt project. The foundation’s goal is to continue with these projects, develop others as envisioned, and simply to carry the message that suicide happens in good families and that it can happen to any of us.
National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Web: www.ncptsd.org
The National Center for PTSD was created to advance the clinical care and social welfare of America ’s veterans and other survivors of traumatic experiences through research, education, and training in the science, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and stress-related disorders. This is a thorough, informative, user-friendly site.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
Web: http://www.dbsalliance.org
Phone: 1-800-826-3632 (not a crisis hotline)
The DBSA is the nation’s leading patient-directed organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses – depression and bipolar disorder. The organization fosters an understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically-based tools and information written in language the general public can understand.
National Mental Health Association (NMHA)
Web: www.nmha.org
Phone: 1-800-969-6642 (not a crisis hotline)
The NMHA is the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. Extensive, user-friendly site.
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
Web: www.nami.org
Phone: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) (not a crisis hotline)
NAMI is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic and other severe anxiety disorders, autism and pervasive developmental disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and other severe and persistent mental illnesses that affect the brain.
National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide (NOPCAS)
Web: www.nopcas.com
Email: info@nopcas.org (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-202-549-6039 (not a crisis hotline)
NOPCAS was formed to stop the tragic epidemic of suicide in minority communities. The organization is developing innovative strategies to address this urgent national problem.
How I Stayed Alive When My Brain Was Trying to Kill Me
Web: http://howistayedalive.com
At the age of 14, Susan Rose Blauner never thought she’d live to be 21. Now 36, she is the author of How I Stayed Alive When My Brain Was Trying to Kill Me: One Person’s Guide to Suicide Prevention . Her website includes excerpts from her book, a crisis plan, sample exercises/affirmations, and one complete parent/teen workshop (she is currently developing three more).
Not my Kid, Inc.
Web: www.notmykid.org
Email: info@notmykid.org (not a crisis address)
Phone: 1-602-652-0163 (not a crisis hotline)
Not My Kid, Inc. is dedicated to facilitating improved understanding about youth behavioral health issues including suicide, drug abuse, eating disorders and depression. Their comprehensive parent-help website presents a database of behavioral health literature, and many other resources. This site is excellent for parents looking for positive ways to relate to their children.
