Crisis support
Crisis Support
If this is an emergency
If you are in immediate danger or at risk of harm, call 911 (or your local emergency number). If you’re not sure what to do next, start with 988.
Call 988
24/7, free, confidential
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Text 988
Text 988 (or "AYUDA" for Spanish options)
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Chat online (988)
If speaking isn’t possible
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Call 911
If there’s immediate danger
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Availability, hours, and policies can change. Confirm details with each service when possible.
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- 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFree, confidential support for people in distress — and for anyone worried about someone else.Coverage: United States•Hours: 24/7
- Crisis Text LineText-based crisis support for moments of acute distress.Coverage: United States•Hours: 24/7
- Veterans Crisis Line (via 988)For veterans, service members, and their loved ones.Coverage: United States•Hours: 24/7
- 988 (Spanish options)Spanish-speaking support by phone, text, and chat.Coverage: United States•Hours: 24/7
LGBTQ+ youth
- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth)Crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people via phone, text, and chat.Coverage: United States•Hours: 24/7
- Trans LifelinePeer support hotline run by and for trans people (hours vary).Coverage: United States / Canada•Hours: Hours vary
- LGBT National HotlineConfidential support for LGBTQ+ individuals (hours vary).Coverage: United States•Hours: Hours vary
Youth (general)
- Illinois CARES Line (youth crisis support)24/7 crisis support for children and teens. Caregivers/providers can also call for help navigating urgent situations.Coverage: Illinois•Hours: 24/7
- National Runaway SafelineSupport for young people who are thinking about running away or who have run away; also supports families.Coverage: United States•Hours: 24/7
Domestic violence / sexual assault
- National Domestic Violence HotlineSupport, safety planning, and resources for people experiencing relationship abuse.Coverage: United States•Hours: 24/7
- RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline)Confidential support and connection to local sexual assault resources.Coverage: United States•Hours: 24/7
- Anti-Violence ProjectSupport and advocacy for LGBTQ+ survivors of violence (availability varies).Coverage: United States•Hours: Varies
- YWCA (Rape crisis / sexual assault services)Find local sexual assault support and advocacy services (availability varies).Coverage: United States•Hours: Varies
- Illinois Domestic Violence HelplineStatewide domestic violence hotline for support and local referrals.Coverage: Illinois•Hours: 24/7
- Chicago Rape Crisis HotlineConfidential support and connection to sexual assault services (Chicago-area).Coverage: Chicago area•Hours: 24/7 (verify)
Substance use (urgent help + navigation)
- Illinois Helpline (substance use + problem gambling)Confidential help finding treatment and support for substance use and problem gambling.Coverage: Illinois•Hours: 24/7
- SAMHSA National HelplineTreatment referral and information service (substance use + mental health).Coverage: United States•Hours: 24/7
Start here
Fastest first doorIf you don’t know where to begin, start with 988.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential support for people in distress — and for anyone worried about someone else.
Coverage: United StatesHours: 24/7
24/7FreeConfidential
Crisis Text Line
Text-based crisis support for moments of acute distress.
Coverage: United StatesHours: 24/7
24/7Text
Veterans Crisis Line (via 988)
For veterans, service members, and their loved ones.
Coverage: United StatesHours: 24/7
24/7Veterans
988 (Spanish options)
Spanish-speaking support by phone, text, and chat.
Coverage: United StatesHours: 24/7
24/7Español
LGBTQ+ youth
Youth-focusedCrisis and peer support tailored for LGBTQ+ young people.
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth)
Crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people via phone, text, and chat.
Coverage: United StatesHours: 24/7
24/7LGBTQ+ youth
Trans Lifeline
Peer support hotline run by and for trans people (hours vary).
Coverage: United States / CanadaHours: Hours vary
Peer supportTrans-led
LGBT National Hotline
Confidential support for LGBTQ+ individuals (hours vary).
Coverage: United StatesHours: Hours vary
LGBTQ+Confidential
Youth (general)
Youth-focusedResources for kids, teens, and caregivers.
Illinois CARES Line (youth crisis support)
24/7 crisis support for children and teens. Caregivers/providers can also call for help navigating urgent situations.
Coverage: IllinoisHours: 24/7
24/7IllinoisYouth
National Runaway Safeline
Support for young people who are thinking about running away or who have run away; also supports families.
Coverage: United StatesHours: 24/7
24/7Youth
Domestic violence / sexual assault
Confidential + safety planningSupport and advocacy services (device safety may matter).
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Support, safety planning, and resources for people experiencing relationship abuse.
Coverage: United StatesHours: 24/7
24/7Safety planning
RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline)
Confidential support and connection to local sexual assault resources.
Coverage: United StatesHours: 24/7
24/7Confidential
Anti-Violence Project
Support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ survivors of violence (availability varies).
Coverage: United StatesHours: Varies
LGBTQ+Advocacy
YWCA (Rape crisis / sexual assault services)
Find local sexual assault support and advocacy services (availability varies).
Coverage: United StatesHours: Varies
Sexual assaultAdvocacy
Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline
Statewide domestic violence hotline for support and local referrals.
Coverage: IllinoisHours: 24/7
24/7Illinois
Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline
Confidential support and connection to sexual assault services (Chicago-area).
Coverage: Chicago areaHours: 24/7 (verify)
Chicago areaConfidential
Substance use (urgent help + treatment navigation)
NavigationIf you need treatment options quickly, these are strong starting points.
Illinois Helpline (substance use + problem gambling)
Confidential help finding treatment and support for substance use and problem gambling.
Coverage: IllinoisHours: 24/7
24/7Illinois
SAMHSA National Helpline
Treatment referral and information service (substance use + mental health).
Coverage: United StatesHours: 24/7
24/7Referrals
This page is informational and does not replace emergency services or professional care. Verify details with each resource.