Suicide Prevention: Hotlines, Apps, and Other Support Resources

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S. But the good news is that it’s preventable. If you’re having thoughts of suicide — thinking about killing yourself — you’re not alone. Help is available 24/7. 

In this post, we share resources designed to help you or a loved one who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide. We also discuss what to do during a mental health emergency.

Suicide prevention hotline phone numbers

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, please know you’re not alone and that there is immediate help available. One option is to call (or text) a crisis hotline.

Suicide prevention hotlines connect you with a trained counselor. Counselors listen, try to understand the problems you’re facing, and share any resources that can help you cope better with your situation. 

It’s normal to feel fearful or embarrassed about sharing your problems with a stranger. But rest assured that suicide prevention hotlines are designed to provide confidential, compassionate, and nonjudgemental support. 

Below is a list of different suicide prevention hotlines and how to contact them.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

The Lifeline offers free, 24/7 confidential support to people experiencing emotional distress. If you’re facing a suicidal crisis or are worried about a loved one’s mental health, contact the Lifeline to speak with a trained counselor in your area. You can also live chat with a counselor if you prefer.

Starting July 2022, you’ll be able to contact this hotline just by dialing or texting 988. (Depending on where you live, you may be able to contact the hotline by dialing 988 already.) Even after this launches nationwide, you can still reach Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Launching the three-digit code is intended to give people a quick and easy-to-remember number in case of an emergency.

Crisis Text Line: Text ‘HOME’ to 741-741

The Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 private text support to people facing any crisis, including anxiety, eating disorders, depression, self-harm, and suicide. Send a text from anywhere in the U.S. to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

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SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990

The Disaster Distress Helpline is a free, 24/7 confidential national hotline that delivers immediate crisis counseling to people undergoing emotional distress caused by a natural disaster, like a flood, or human-made disaster, such as mass violence. 

Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1

The Veterans Crisis Line provides free, 24/7 private support to veterans in crisis or their concerned family members and friends. In addition to calling the hotline, you can also chat with a counselor online or text 838-255.

Trevor Lifeline: Call 1-866-488-7386 

The Trevor Lifeline provides free, 24/7 confidential crisis support and suicide prevention services to LGBTQIA2+ youth. If you prefer, you can also text “START” to 678-678 to get support.

Trans Lifeline: Call 1-877-565-8860 

Trans Lifeline is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emotional and financial support  to the transgender community. The organization offers free phone support to trans and questioning people who need someone to talk to, whether they are in a crisis or not. Currently, the hotline can be accessed 7 days a week from 5PM (ET) to 1AM (ET).

Suicide prevention support apps

More and more people rely on their phones for mental health tools and resources. As a result, some companies have developed apps to help educate and support those struggling with thoughts of suicide. 

Here are a few free apps that you or your loved one can use to get help quickly:

• Virtual Hope Box: This free smartphone app lets you record coping skills, reminders of reasons to stay alive, and who you can call in a crisis. In one study, Virtual Hope Box helped increase stress coping skills and served as a useful tool in treatment. Download the iOS version of the app here and the Android version here.

• notOK: This free digital panic button was developed by two teenage siblings, one of whom was struggling with anxiety and depression. The notOK app provides immediate support to people struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts. 

• SAMSHA’s Suicide Safe: This free mobile app allows primary care and behavioral health providers to incorporate suicide prevention methods into your care plan.

Suicide prevention organizations

The organizations listed in this section offer access to programs and resources aimed at preventing suicide. 

Keep in mind that suicide impacts individuals, entire families, and communities. Therefore, these organizations are also committed to raising public awareness and education about suicide prevention. 

These organizations include:

• U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

• American Association of Suicidology (AAS) 

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

• Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)

• The Jed Foundation

• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)

How to find local resources in your community

You may be able to find suicide prevention resources from various local sources. To see what’s available in your community, ask or look for:

• Healthcare providers (like your primary care provider or a mental health professional)

• Mental health hospitals

• Walk-in clinics

• Urgent care centers

• Emergency departments

• Schools and after-school programs

• Churches and faith communities

• Cultural centers

You can also check with state and local health departments. They may offer suicide prevention programs, emergency mental health services, crisis hotlines, mobile crisis services, and other community resources.

What to do in a mental health emergency

A mental health emergency (also called a mental health crisis) is a situation where your thoughts, behaviors, or actions may cause you to hurt yourself or others. This can mean you need immediate support and care. 

It can be scary to see someone you care about have a mental health emergency. You may also fear what to do if you have one. Here are some tips that can help:

• Determine the nature of the crisis and whether it needs to be treated urgently. 

• If you are not sure whether the situation is urgent, you can call a suicide prevention hotline to speak with a trained counselor. You can also call your mental health provider or primary care provider for further guidance.

• If you or another person has a concrete plan to die by suicide, then immediately call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. 

Keep in mind that people who are in a mental health crisis may not be able to effectively communicate their feelings, thoughts, or needs. They may also struggle to understand what others around them are saying. 

If this happens to your loved one, try to de-escalate (or reduce) the crisis. For example, stay calm, use active listening, and avoid overreacting. Also seek outside help if appropriate, by calling 911 or contacting a mental health organization that specializes in crisis management.

You can learn more about helping a loved one in a mental health crisis here. You can also use this form to create a suicide safety plan, so you know what to do and who to call if you have a crisis.

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Written by:

Kara-Marie Hall, RN, BSN, CCRN

Kara-Marie Hall, RN, BSN, CCRN, is a registered nurse who specializes in writing health content that connects with everyone — no matter where they are in their health journey. She has over 10 years of clinical experience in a variety of specialties, including critical care, surgery, and hospice.

Edited by:

Samvida Patel, MNSP, INHC

Samvida Patel, MNSP, INHC, is a health editor at GoodRx. She is a nutritionist and integrative nutrition health coach with over 8 years of experience in health communications.

Reviewed by:

Mona Bapat, PhD, HSPP

Mona Bapat, PhD, HSPP, has 15 years of clinical experience providing therapy. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Indiana and Illinois with treatment experience in individual, couples, family, and group therapy modalities.

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