If you are in immediate danger: call your local emergency number now. That is 911 in the United States and Canada, 999 in the United Kingdom, 999 or 112 in Ireland, 112 across the EU and on mobile networks in many other countries, 000 in Australia, and 111 in New Zealand. Use it if someone has been badly hurt, has taken an overdose, or you feel you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe.
If you are thinking about suicide or hurting yourself, you do not have to figure this out alone. Mental health crisis help is available around the clock from every crisis line below, and the people who answer are trained to listen.
You do not have to be suicidal to use these services. Feeling panicked, numb or unable to cope is reason enough. Every number below was checked against the organization’s own website on September 19, 2026.
Talk to someone now
United States
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Free, confidential and available 24/7. Text and chat are also offered in Spanish.
- Veterans Crisis Line. Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255. For veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them.
- Crisis Text Line. Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support by text, 24/7 (crisistextline.org). Spanish speakers can text HOLA to the same number.
Canada
- 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline. Call or text 9-8-8, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, in English or French.
United Kingdom
- Samaritans. Call 116 123 free from landlines and mobiles, day or night.
- NHS 111. For urgent mental health help in England, go to 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option. You may be able to speak to a trained mental health professional over the phone.
- Shout. Text the word Shout to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained volunteer. Free, confidential and 24/7.
Ireland
- Samaritans Ireland. Call 116 123 free from landlines and mobiles, 24 hours a day.
- Text About It. Text TALK to 50808, a free 24/7 text service run by spunout and funded by the HSE.
Australia
- Lifeline. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, or use the online chat. All three run 24/7.
New Zealand
- 1737. Call or text 1737 free, 24/7, for brief emotional support from trained counsellors and peer support workers.
Mental health crisis help in other countries
Find A Helpline lists free, confidential phone, text and chat helplines in more than 175 countries. It is a public service from ThroughLine.
If you’re worried about someone else
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) recommends five action steps if you think someone may be suicidal.
- Ask directly. “Are you thinking about suicide?” NIMH notes that studies show asking people if they are suicidal does not increase suicidal behavior or thoughts.
- Be there. Listening without judgment is how you learn what the person is thinking and feeling. You do not need the right words, and you do not need to fix anything.
- Help keep them safe. Ask whether they have a plan. Reducing access to highly lethal items or places can help prevent suicide, and the 988 Lifeline advises removing means such as weapons or pills.
- Help them connect. Encourage them to call or text a crisis line, or help them reach a trusted family member, friend, spiritual advisor or mental health professional. You can offer to stay with them while they make contact.
- Follow up. Check in after the crisis, or after they are discharged from care. Staying in touch can make a difference.
Good to know: Never keep it a secret if someone tells you about a plan to hurt themselves. You can contact 988 yourself to find out what resources are available in your area.
Warning signs to take seriously
NIMH lists these warning signs of suicide. The 988 Lifeline notes they matter most when a behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss or change.
- Talking about wanting to die, great guilt or shame, or being a burden to others.
- Feeling empty, hopeless, trapped or like there is no reason to live; extremely sad, more anxious, agitated or full of rage; in unbearable emotional or physical pain.
- Changing behavior, such as making a plan or researching ways to die, withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items or making a will, taking dangerous risks, showing extreme mood swings, eating or sleeping more or less, or using drugs or alcohol more often.
If you notice any of these in yourself or someone you know, reach out for help as soon as possible. An awkward conversation beats a missed one.
What Idevsa.com can and can’t do
We publish plain-language information about psychotherapy. We are not a clinic, a helpline or an emergency service, and we have no clinicians on staff.
We cannot respond to emergencies. Our contact form is not monitored around the clock, we cannot assess anyone’s risk, and we cannot arrange care or give personal advice. If you are in crisis, use one of the services above instead.
What we can do is help with the next step. When you are ready for ongoing support, our guide to choosing a psychotherapist covers credentials, costs and questions to ask, and our guide to your first therapy session explains what to expect.