Crisis Hotlines

General Crisis Intervention Hotlines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people who are emotionally distressed with the objective of defusing the crisis, ensuring the person's safety and helping the person to take the next immediate steps toward resolving the problem. General crisis intervention hotlines are available to anyone who is experiencing a crisis rather than focusing on people with particular types of problems such as domestic violence, mental health or child abuse. Hotline staff are often trained volunteers who are available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Dating Abuse Hotlines

Programs that provide information and support for people, particularly youth, who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships or who have experienced date rape, verbal and physical abuse, threats of abuse or other forms of violence from a dating partner and need help to defuse the emotional impact of the crisis. Dating abuse hotlines may also provide assistance for concerned friends and family members, teachers, counselors, service providers and members of law enforcement. Hotline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Domestic Violence Hotlines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for women and men who have experienced domestic abuse which may include steps to ensure the person's safety; short-term emotional support; assistance with shelter; legal information and advocacy; referrals for medical treatment; ongoing counseling and/or group support; and other related services. Hotline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Suicide Prevention Hotlines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for individuals who are having suicidal feelings with the objective of helping them explore alternatives to self-harm or self-destruction. Included are local, accredited hotlines, countywide and statewide programs, programs offered by local nonprofit organizations and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of more than 180 local crisis centers. Suicide prevention workers establish and maintain contact with the individual while identifying and clarifying the focal problem, evaluate the suicidal potential, assess the individual's strengths and resources, and mobilize available resources including paramedic or police intervention and emergency psychiatric care as needed. These programs can also help individuals who are worried about the potentially suicidal behavior of another with the objective of helping them identify warning signs and provide options for seeking further help. Hotline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designated 988 as the three digit dialing code that will replace or supplement the existing toll free number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The deadline for implementation by all voice service providers is set for July 16, 2022.

LGBTQ2+ Helplines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit or as part of other communities such as those in the process of coming out or questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity, and/or their friends and families. Included may be short-term emotional support, resources and community referrals. The service is generally free and confidential and may offer peer support. Helpline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Crisis Pregnancy Hotlines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for pregnant women who are hiding their pregnancies, considering abandonment or experiencing other pregnancy related issues. Included may be short-term emotional support, an opportunity to discuss alternatives, adoption referrals if wanted, information about Safe Haven programs and other resources. Hotline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Human Trafficking Hotlines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for survivors of human trafficking (i.e., individuals who have been abducted, sold, recruited under fraud or pretense or otherwise brought under the control of another person, and forced, by means of threats, intimidation, violence or other forms of coercion, into unpaid or underpaid labor, servitude, prostitution or forced marriage) with the objective of defusing the crisis, ensuring the person's safety and helping the person to get the support they need. Hotline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Sexual Assault Hotlines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people who are survivors of rape, incest and other forms of sexual assault which may include steps to ensure the person's safety, short-term emotional support, information regarding the person's rights and alternatives, and referrals and/or accompaniment to resources for medical, legal and emotional needs, advocacy and other related services. Hotline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Runaway/Homeless Youth Counseling

Programs that provide emotional support, information and guidance for children and adolescents who have run away from home and for the entire family, if appropriate, with the objective of identifying and resolving the problems that prompted the youth to leave home and/or assisting the youth to formulate and implement a workable plan for his or her immediate future.

Runaway/Homeless Youth Helplines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for children and youth who have run away from or have been pushed out of their homes or who are acting out and at risk of abuse. Included may be steps to ensure the youth's safety, information regarding the youth's rights and alternatives, and referrals for shelter, medical care, ongoing counseling or group support and other related services. Also included are programs that maintain a message relay system which allows runaways to contact their parents or other concerned individuals and receive messages from them. Helpline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Youth Issues Information Services

Programs that provide information about specific youth-related topics such as alcohol and drug abuse; child abuse; sexuality; sexually transmitted diseases; AIDS; birth control, pregnancy and choices; sexual assault; weight management; relationships; dealing with feelings; family concerns; dealing with rules; and school, career and life choices. Information may be accessed on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. Information may be in a self-serve, browsable format (for example a web resource directory or library of audio recordings) or provided by live agents with expertise in the needs and interests of youth.