Talk to Someone Now
IMPORTANT REMINDER: If you or someone else you know is in immediate danger or crisis, please call 988 or 911. 988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
There are different options for finding help when you are struggling with a mental illness or mental health challenges. This page has information about some of the call and text lines designed to support people who need help.
As you check out the resources below, you should keep a few things in mind:
- You may want to reach out to more than one of the organizations listed here as you seek help and/or gather information.
- There may be a quick set of questions to answer when you reach out to help the folks responding understand what's happening. These can include your name (although many lines are confidential), where you live (to figure out which local resources might work for you), whether the question is for you or a loved one, and/or what kinds of symptoms or experiences you've had or observed and for how long.
- There may be a wait time. (If you're on hold, you may want to check out this helpful written article from the JED Foundation on 8 Ways to Take Care of Yourself While Waiting for Mental Health Care.)
When in doubt, remember you can also talk to a trusted adult – like a parent, school counselor or physician – about what's going on. They may be able to help figure out other sources of support – you could even make the call/text to one of these organizations together.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, formerly National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
You can call, text or chat.
How: Call 988 or text BRAVE to 741741. For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
When: 24/7.
What to Expect: When you call, you'll hear an automated message featuring additional options while your call is routed to your local Lifeline network crisis center. You will likely hear music while being connected to a skilled, trained crisis worker. A trained crisis worker at your local center will answer the phone. This person will listen to you, work to understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and get you the help you need.
2NDFLOOR
You can call or text.
How: Call or text 888-222-2228. For hearing impaired callers, 2NDFLOOR can be reached at the following TTY number: 732-264-1703.
When: 24/7.
What to Expect: 2NDFLOOR is a confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey's youth and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24. 2ND FLOOR is staffed by volunteers who are trained to help you work through problems you face, including in school.
Crisis Text Line
You can text, chat, or message on WhatsApp.
How: Text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor or visit here.
When: 24/7.
What to Expect: A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment. The Crisis Counselor is a trained volunteer, not a professional. They can provide support, but not medical advice. The goal of any conversation is to get you to a calm, safe place. Sometimes that means providing you with a referral for further help, and sometimes it just means being there and listening. A conversation usually lasts anywhere from 15-45 minutes.
FYI: The first two responses are automated. They tell you that you're being connected with a Crisis Counselor and invite you to share a bit more. It usually takes less than five minutes to connect you with a Crisis Counselor. (It may take longer during high-traffic times).
NJ Children's System of Care
You can call.
How: 1-877-652-7624 [TTY 1-866-896-6975]
When: 24/7.
What to Expect: NJ Children's System of Care (CSOC) is designed to help New Jersey's families and young people access publicly funded services for youth up to age 21. It's administered by an organization called PerformCare and is available for parents and youth seeking behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disability, or substance use treatment services. It's available in English and Spanish.
Trevor Project
You can call, text, or chat.
How: Call 1-866-488-7386. Text Start to 678-678. Chat at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/.
When: 24/7.
What to Expect: If you are in crisis and would like to talk to someone who is understanding of the challenges LGBTQ youth face, you can reach out to a trained a counselor at the Trevor Project. Trevor counselors are understanding of LGBTQ issues and won't judge you. All of your messages are anonymous, and you can share as much or as
little as you like.FYI: You can hit esc 3 times to quickly close the website.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine
You can talk, text, chat or email.
How: Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). Text 62640. Chat at nami.org/help. Email helpline@nami.org.
When: Monday - Friday from 10 am to 10pm ET.
What to Expect: The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. HelpLine staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained and able to provide guidance. NAMI HelpLine is unable to provide mental health counseling, advice, personal advocacy or referrals to mental health providers or lawyers. It does not provide individual casework, legal representations or any type of individual advocacy.
FYI: The NAMI HelpLine is not a hot line, crisis line or suicide prevention line. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please consider 988 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) or 911.
SAMHSA National Helpline
You can call or text.
How: Call 1-800-622-4357 (TTY: 1-800-487-4889). Text your zip code to 435748.
When: 24/7.
What to Expect: A free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. It's designed to help you find local resources.
