Crisis Help: Brazil

If you’re in crisis right now, você não está sozinho (you’re not alone). Help is available immediately, confidentially, and without judgment.

⚠️ Content note: This page discusses suicide, abuse, self-harm, and violence. If that feels overwhelming, you can skip everything and just call the number below.

🚨 Right Now: Call This Number

CVV – Centro de Valorização da Vida

Phone: 188
Cost: Free from any landline or mobile phone
Hours: 24/7, every day of the year
Website: https://www.cvv.org.br
Chat: Available on the website (hours depend on volunteer availability)
Email: apoioemocional@cvv.org.br (response typically within 24 hours)
Languages: Portuguese (primary); support in other languages may occur but is not guaranteed

What CVV provides:

Immediate emotional support
Suicide prevention
Confidential, non-judgmental conversation
Trained volunteers
No identification or documents required

If unsure what to say, start with:

“Estou em crise.” (I’m in crisis.)

“Estou tendo pensamentos suicidas.” (I’m having suicidal thoughts.)

“Preciso conversar com alguém.” (I need to talk to someone.)

They will guide you from there.

Other Crisis Options (Choose What Fits Your Situation)

Mental Health Crisis

CVV: 188 (24/7)

CAPS – Centros de Atenção Psicossocial

Public mental-health centers offering psychiatric and psychological support
Search: “CAPS [sua cidade]”
Hours: Most CAPS operate Monday-Friday during business hours
24/7 CAPS: Only CAPS III and CAPS AD III operate 24 hours (limited locations)

Suicidal Thoughts

CVV: 188 (24/7)
For follow-up care: contact your local CAPS or SUS health unit

Abuse, Violence, and Exploitation

Domestic or Sexual Violence (Women)

Ligue 180 – Central de Atendimento à Mulher

Phone: 180 (free, confidential, 24/7)
WhatsApp: (61) 9610-0180
Email: central180@mulheres.gov.br
Libras (video calls): Available at gov.br/mulheres/ligue180/libras
Languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish, Libras

Services:

Reports domestic violence, sexual violence, gender-based violence
Provides orientation and referral to local protective services
Confidential and free

Child Abuse or Child Sexual Exploitation

Disque 100 – Direitos Humanos

Phone: 100 (free, 24/7)
WhatsApp: (61) 99611-0100
Telegram: @DireitosHumanosBrasil
Mobile app: “Direitos Humanos Brasil” (iOS/Android)
Libras (video calls): Available at gov.br/mdh/pt-br/ondh

Reports violations against:

Children and adolescents
Older adults
Disabled people
LGBTQIA+ people
Other vulnerable groups

You can report anonymously.

Sexual Violence (Medical Care)

If sexual assault occurred within the last 72 hours, seek urgent medical care at a hospital that provides “atendimento a vítimas de violência sexual.”

In São Paulo:

Hospital da Mulher (formerly Hospital Pérola Byington)
Address: Av. Rio Branco 1080, Campos Elíseos, São Paulo
Services: 24-hour sexual violence care, forensic services, psychological support
Phone: (11) 3197-0966
Website: hospitaldamulhersp.org.br

In other cities:

Search: “hospital violência sexual [sua cidade]”
Go to nearest hospital emergency room or UPA

Youth Crisis

CVV: 188 (24/7 emotional support)
Disque 100: For reporting youth abuse/exploitation
Local CAPS-i (child/adolescent CAPS) where available
UNICEF Pode Falar: podefalar.org.br or WhatsApp (61) 9660-8843 (ages 13-24, anonymous chat support)

Disability-Specific Support

These are not crisis hotlines but can help with navigation, referrals, and protection:

APAE – Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais

Support for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities
2,200+ locations across Brazil
Website: apaebrasil.org.br
Search: “APAE [sua cidade]“

Deaf Community Support

FENEIS – Federação Nacional de Educação e Integração dos Surdos

National Deaf rights organization
Website: feneis.org.br
State-level Deaf federations also exist
Search: “FENEIS” or “Federação de Surdos [seu estado]“

Medical or Safety Emergencies

If someone is in immediate physical danger or needs emergency care:

SAMU (ambulance): 192
Police: 190
Fire Department: 193
Go to the nearest hospital or UPA (Unidade de Pronto Atendimento)

These numbers are 24/7, free, and nationwide.

Local Resources to Help Triage or Connect You to Support

These organizations vary by city, but most medium and large municipalities have them.

1. Municipal Health Departments (Secretaria Municipal de Saúde)

They can help direct you to:

CAPS
Emergency mental-health services
Psychologists and psychiatrists
Crisis stabilization units
Social assistance services

Search: “Secretaria de Saúde [sua cidade]“

For people experiencing:

Family conflict
Disability-related needs
Poverty, food insecurity
Domestic violence risk
Need for referrals to shelters or protective services

Coverage: 8,360+ units in 97%+ of Brazilian municipalities

Search: “CRAS [sua cidade]“

For serious violations, including:

Domestic violence
Sexual violence
Abuse or neglect
Forced institutionalization
Rights violations

Coverage: 2,780+ units nationwide

Search: “CREAS [sua cidade]“

4. Public Defender’s Office (Defensoria Pública)

Free legal help in:

Violence cases
Disability rights
Housing insecurity
Access to healthcare/SUS
Social security issues

Search: “Defensoria Pública [estado]“

5. Local Mental-Health Emergency Rooms

Often located inside:

UPA (Unidade de Pronto Atendimento)
Municipal hospitals
Regional psychiatric emergency centers (“emergência psiquiátrica”)

Note: UPAs operate 24/7 for urgent care, including psychiatric emergencies.

Search: “emergência psiquiátrica [sua cidade]“

Accessibility & Contact Methods

If You Prefer Chat/Text

CVV Chat: via cvv.org.br (hours listed on site)
CVV Email: apoioemocional@cvv.org.br
Ligue 180 WhatsApp: (61) 9610-0180
Disque 100 WhatsApp: (61) 99611-0100
UNICEF Pode Falar (ages 13-24): WhatsApp (61) 9660-8843 or podefalar.org.br

If You’re Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Ligue 180: Libras video calls available at gov.br/mulheres/ligue180/libras
Disque 100: Libras video calls available at gov.br/mdh/pt-br/ondh
FENEIS: Contact for community support and resources

If You’re in a Remote Area

188 works from all mobile and landline phones
Many CAPS and SUS mobile teams serve rural/remote communities
WhatsApp options available with internet connection

After the Crisis Call

Crisis lines help you get through right now. Afterward, consider connecting with long-term support:

CAPS (mental health treatment)
UPA or hospital (medical or psychiatric evaluation)
SUS / public health centers (UBS) (ongoing care)
Local NGOs or disability organizations
CRAS/CREAS for social support or protection

Recovery doesn’t happen alone. Help is available.

Important Information

Free Services

All hotlines listed (188, 180, 100, 190, 192, 193) are free.

Confidential

CVV, 180, and 100 respect confidentiality. Authorities are contacted only if someone is in immediate danger.

24/7 Services

24/7: 188, 180, 100, 190, 192, 193
Variable hours: CAPS (most operate business hours; only CAPS III and CAPS AD III are 24/7), hospitals, NGOs

You Don’t Need to Be “Sick Enough” to Call

If you’re asking yourself “sou doente o suficiente para ligar?” (am I sick enough to call?)—

You are. Call.

In crisis right now? Call 188. Everything else can wait.

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.