Emergency Numbers

Are Hotlines Safe To Use?

Legally, healthcare providers are required to tell you to call 911 in case of police emergency, but is that the safest option for you? From a public health and social justice point of view, perhaps not. You can do more reading here and here. Do what makes you feel safest. Below are alternatives to calling 911 including for mental health emergencies and crime.

• 24/7 Dial 1.800.222.1222

• Do not contact in case of seizures, pregnancy, or if patient is an infant younger than 6-months

• For animals see below

• Free and confidential. Be prepared to answer questions and stay on the line with the operator

• There is an online database for resource purposes

• Pill identifier

• 24/7 Dial 1.888.426.4435

• A consultation fee may apply. Run by the ASPCA

• Resources also available on website

• 27/7 Dial or Text 988

• For Deaf/Hard of Hearing

• Los servicios de texto y chat de 988 Lifeline ya están disponibles en Español

• Confidential but will call 911 in cases of threats of suicide or violence so proceed with caution

• More resources available on website

• Recently suffered from severe budget cuts and may have a significant wait list

• 24/7 Dial 988 then Press 1 or Text 838255

• Chat online option is available

• You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect

• Serves veterans and theirs loved ones

• Confidential but will call 911 in cases of threats of suicide or violence so proceed with caution

• Recently suffered from severe budget cuts and may have a significant wait list

• 24/7 Text GOT5 to 741-741 for NYS residents

• 24/7 Text Got5U to 741-741 for NYS college students

• 24/7 Text HOME to 741-741 to de-identify your residency

• (They use the opening text to counselors identify how the person found them)

• Confidential but will call 911 in cases of threats of suicide or violence so proceed with caution

• 24/7 Dial or Text 1.800.985.5990

• Multilingual and works with Deaf/Hard of Hearing relay providers

• Funded by the HHS

• Confidential but will call 911 in cases of threats of suicide or violence so proceed with caution

• Hotline advocates are mandatory reporters and are required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse

• More resources available online

• Recently suffered from severe budget cuts and may have a significant wait list

• Mon-Fri 10AM-10PM EST (10:00-22:00)

• Dial 1.800.950.6264 or Text HELPLINE to 62640

• Chat online option is available

• Confidential but will call 911 in cases of threats of suicide or violence so proceed with caution

• Hotline advocates are mandatory reporters and are required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse

• More resources available online

• 24/7 Dial 1.800.799.7233 or Text START to 88788

• Chat online option is available

• For Deaf/Hard of Hearing

• Confidential but will call 911 in cases of threats of suicide or violence so proceed with caution

• Hotline advocates are mandatory reporters and are required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse

• More resources available online

• No longer recommended as a safe hotline to call

• The website can still be used for resources related to sexual abuse survivors

• 24/7 Dial 1.844.762.8483

• Chat online option is available

• Confidential and anonymous and do not request nor record any identifiable information

• The helpline advocates are mandated reporters and are obligated to report child abuse if they are aware of identifying information

• Culturally-appropriate domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans/Alaskan Natives

• Offers services beyond support -- see website

• 24/7 Dial or Text 1.800.604.5841

• Confidential and anonymous and do not request nor record any identifiable information

• Strong anti-cop policy

• Prioritizes Black, Indigenous, and People of Color impacted by systemic oppression

• Designed by an "LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens" in Hudson Valley, NY

• Mon-Fri 2PM-11PM EST (14:00-23:00) / Sat 12PM-5PM EST (12:00-17:00)

• Dial 1.888.843.4564

• Dial 1.888.688.5428 for the Coming Out Support Hotline

• Dial 1.800.246.7743 for the Youth Talkline

• Dial 1.800.234.7243 for the Senior Hotline

• Confidential and anonymous and do not report calls to outside organizations

• More resources available on website

• 24/7 Text 1.313.662.8209

• Confidential and anonymous to individuals aged 18+

• Strict policy against non-consensual active rescue policy (will not report calls to outside organizations)

• Designed by and for people with marginalized identities (LGBTQ2S+, Disabled, Neurodivergent, BIPOC, etc.)

• More resources available on website

• 24/7 Dial 1.866.488.7386 or Text START to 678.679

• Chat online option is available

• Designed in particular for LGBTQ+ folk under the age of 25

• Confidential but will call 911 in cases of threats of suicide or violence so proceed with caution

• Hotline advocates are mandatory reporters and are required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse

• More resources available on website

• Mon-Thurs 7PM-9PM EST (19:00-21:00) Fri-Sun 7PM-10PM EST (19:00-22:00)

• Dial 1.888.407.4515 (Please do not leave a voicemail)

• For support or talking to someone without a crisis involved

• Confidential and anonymous

• Strict policy against non-consensual active rescue policy (will not report calls to outside organizations)

• Mon-Sun 2PM-2AM EST (14:00-02:00) - Located on the west coast

• Dial or Text 623.473.7433

• For support during a psychedelic drug (or equivalent) trip

• Free and confidential

• Not a crisis hotline. Advocates are not trained for that and will transfer you to 911

• Confidential but will call 911 in cases of threats of suicide or violence so proceed with caution

• Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM EST (10:00-16:00)

• Text 401.400.2905

• Urgent support with psychiatric incarceration or involuntary hospitalization

• Strict policy against non-consensual active rescue policy (will not report calls to outside organizations)

• More resources available on website