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Crisis Help: North America

If you’re in crisis right now, you’re not alone. Help is available immediately, confidentially, and without judgment.

This page connects you to crisis resources across North America.

⚠️ Content note: This page discusses suicide, abuse, self-harm, and violence.

Where Are You?

Section titled “Where Are You?”

North America

Section titled “North America”

Caribbean

Section titled “Caribbean”

Central America

Section titled “Central America”

United States

Section titled “United States”

National Crisis Lines

Section titled “National Crisis Lines”

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

  • Phone: 988 (call or text, 24/7, free)
  • Phone: 1-800-273-8255 (alternative number)
  • Chat: https://988lifeline.org/chat
  • TTY: Use your preferred relay service then call 988
  • Languages: English, Spanish, over 250 languages via interpretation

Crisis Text Line

The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth)

Trans Lifeline

RAINN (Sexual Assault)

  • Phone: 1-800-656-4673 (24/7)
  • Chat: https://www.rainn.org
  • Connects to local sexual assault service providers

National Domestic Violence Hotline

National Child Abuse Hotline

National Runaway Safeline

  • Phone: 1-800-786-2929 (24/7)
  • Text: 66008
  • For youth in crisis

BlackLine (Black, Black LGBTQ+, Brown, Native, Muslim)

StrongHearts Native Helpline

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 911

State-Specific Resources

Section titled “State-Specific Resources”

Most states have local crisis lines. Search: “[your state] crisis line” or “[your city] mental health crisis”

Canada

Section titled “Canada”

988 Suicide Crisis Helpline

  • Phone: 988 (24/7, launched November 2023)
  • Nationwide suicide prevention service

9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (Canada)

  • Phone or text: 988 (24/7, free)
  • Website: https://988.ca
  • (The former Talk Suicide Canada line 1-833-456-4566 has been retired; 988 replaced it)

Kids Help Phone

Hope for Wellness Helpline (Indigenous)

Trans Lifeline

Assaulted Women’s Helpline (Ontario)

  • Phone: 1-866-863-0511 (24/7)
  • TTY: 1-866-863-7868

SOS Violence Conjugale (Quebec)

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 911

Provincial/Territorial Resources

Section titled “Provincial/Territorial Resources”

Each province has local crisis services. Search: “[province] crisis line” or “211” for community resources.

Mexico

Section titled “Mexico”

SAPTEL (Sistema Nacional de Apoyo)

  • Phone: (55) 5259-8121 or 800-472-7835 (free, 24/7)
  • National psychological support line
  • Website: https://saptel.org.mx

Línea de la Vida (Ministry of Health)

  • Phone: 800-911-2000 (free, 24/7)
  • Substance abuse and mental health crisis

Consejo Ciudadano (Citizen Council)

  • Phone: 55-5533-5533 (24/7, Mexico City)
  • Crime reporting, domestic violence, emotional support

Línea Nacional contra la Trata de Personas

  • Phone: 800-553-3000 (free, 24/7)
  • Human trafficking

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 911
  • Red Cross: 065

Caribbean

Section titled “Caribbean”

Bahamas

Section titled “Bahamas”

The Bahamas Crisis Centre

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 919 or 911

Barbados

Section titled “Barbados”

Samaritans Barbados

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 211 or 511
  • Police: 211

Cuba

Section titled “Cuba”

Mental Health Services

  • Contact local hospitals (policlínicos)
  • Limited crisis hotline infrastructure

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 106 (ambulance)
  • Police: 106

Dominican Republic

Section titled “Dominican Republic”

Línea Vida (Lifeline)

  • Phone: 809-200-1202 or *462 (from mobile)
  • Suicide prevention and emotional support

Línea de Ayuda a la Mujer

  • Phone: *212 (from mobile, domestic violence)

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 911

Haiti

Section titled “Haiti”

Kay Fanm (Women’s House)

  • Phone: (509) 2813-1234
  • Women’s crisis support

Limited formal crisis services

  • Contact local hospitals or NGOs like Partners In Health

Emergency Services

  • Police: 114
  • Ambulance: 118

Jamaica

Section titled “Jamaica”

Lifeline Jamaica

Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA)

  • Phone: (876) 926-9678

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 119
  • Police: 119

Puerto Rico

Section titled “Puerto Rico”

Línea PAS (Primera Ayuda Psicosocial)

Also use US resources:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline works in Puerto Rico
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 911

Trinidad and Tobago

Section titled “Trinidad and Tobago”

Lifeline Trinidad and Tobago

Rape Crisis Society

  • Phone: (868) 622-7273 or (868) 624-7273

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 999 or 811
  • Police: 999

Central America

Section titled “Central America”

Belize

Section titled “Belize”

National Helpline

  • Phone: 0-800-226-4357 or 227-4357
  • Mental health support

Women’s Department Hotline

  • Phone: 0-800-922-3444 (domestic violence)

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 911 or 90

Costa Rica

Section titled “Costa Rica”

Instituto sobre Alcoholismo y Farmacodependencia (IAFA)

  • Phone: 800-4232-800 (free, 24/7)
  • Substance abuse and crisis support

Línea 911 de Emergencias

  • Phone: 911 (all emergencies)
  • Mental health crisis support available

INAMU (Women’s Institute)

  • Phone: 911 (Option 2, domestic violence)

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 911

El Salvador

Section titled “El Salvador”

Teléfono de la Esperanza

  • Phone: 503-2284-2284
  • Mental health support

Línea 126 (Women and Family)

  • Phone: 126 (domestic violence)

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 911

Guatemala

Section titled “Guatemala”

Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)

  • Phone: 1545 (24/7)
  • Mental health and crisis support

Línea 1572 (Child Protection)

  • Phone: 1572 (24/7)

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 1500 or 911

Honduras

Section titled “Honduras”

Teléfono de la Esperanza

  • Phone: 2558-1978 (Tegucigalpa)

Línea 114 (Child Protection)

  • Phone: 114

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 911

Nicaragua

Section titled “Nicaragua”

Línea 133 (Police)

  • Phone: 133
  • Can connect to crisis services

Comisaría de la Mujer

  • Phone: 118 (women and family violence)

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 118 (police)

Panama

Section titled “Panama”

Instituto Nacional de Salud Mental

  • Phone: 507-263-7768
  • Mental health services

Línea 147 (Domestic Violence)

  • Phone: 147 (free, 24/7)

Emergency Services

  • Emergency: 911

Regional Resources

Section titled “Regional Resources”

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Section titled “Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)”

Befrienders Worldwide

Section titled “Befrienders Worldwide”

International Association for Suicide Prevention

Section titled “International Association for Suicide Prevention”

Important Notes

Section titled “Important Notes”

911 and Emergency Services

Section titled “911 and Emergency Services”
  • 911 is the emergency number in US, Canada, Mexico, and many Caribbean/Central American countries
  • In a mental health crisis, 911 can be called, but be aware this may involve police response
  • Some areas have mobile crisis teams that respond instead of police

988 in US and Canada

Section titled “988 in US and Canada”
  • US: 988 launched July 2022 for suicide/crisis support
  • Canada: 988 launched November 2023
  • Both are nationwide, 24/7, confidential
  • Connects to local crisis centers

Language Support

Section titled “Language Support”
  • US: Spanish widely available; 988 offers 250+ languages via interpretation
  • Canada: English and French nationwide; other languages vary
  • Mexico/Central America/Caribbean: Primarily Spanish; some English in tourist areas
  • Always ask about language options

Peer-Run and Community-Based Options

Section titled “Peer-Run and Community-Based Options”

US peer-run warmlines (non-crisis emotional support):

Identity-specific support:

  • Trans Lifeline (US/Canada)
  • BlackLine (US)
  • StrongHearts Native Helpline (US/Canada)
  • The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth, US)

Limitations and Cautions

Section titled “Limitations and Cautions”

US/Canada:

  • Some crisis lines may involve police response or involuntary hospitalization
  • This varies by location and circumstances
  • Peer-run lines generally less likely to involve authorities

Caribbean/Central America:

  • Services more limited in rural areas
  • Some countries have minimal crisis infrastructure
  • NGOs and religious organizations often provide support
  • Quality and availability vary significantly

Text/Chat Options

Section titled “Text/Chat Options”
  • US: Crisis Text Line (741741), 988 text option
  • Canada: Kids Help Phone (686868), Crisis Services Canada (45645)
  • Limited in most Caribbean and Central American countries

After the Crisis

Section titled “After the Crisis”

For ongoing support:

  • Community mental health centers
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (US)
  • Local Community Health Centres (Canada)
  • University counseling centers
  • Disability organizations
  • Faith communities
  • Peer support groups
Section titled “Related Pages”

In crisis right now? Call 988 (US/Canada) or 911. Everything else can wait.

Contribute to This Page

Section titled “Contribute to This Page”

Have lived experience or expertise that could strengthen this page? We especially welcome perspectives on models not well represented here, including those from the Global South and Indigenous communities.

Suggest an edit or addition →

This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by disabled-led organizing globally. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.