Crisis Text Line is a free, 24/7 hotline that connects you with a trained Crisis Counselor via text message. A CC will listen and respond, supporting you at your own pace, until both of you feel calm and safe.
Young people often contact the service between classes or before soccer practice. They may be struggling with depression, bullying or even suicidal thoughts.
Volunteering with Crisis Text Line
As the first text-based crisis line in the United States, Crisis Text Line has empowered a network of trained volunteer Crisis Counselors to support people who are struggling. Their volunteers are from all walks of life and have unique experiences to share with their callers, who come from every community.
Taking the time to reach out for help is brave, but it can be difficult to do. Busy schedules, work, finances, and family can all be a lot to handle on your own.
To support people who are in a mental health crisis, Crisis Text Line and its affiliates have had over 13 million conversations supporting more than 5.8 million texters. These organizations provide free, 24/7 nonjudgmental and confidential support by phone or text. They also offer training and opportunities to grow professionally.
Become a Crisis Counselor
Many people who volunteer with Crisis Text Line say the experience has positively impacted their lives, relationships, and communities. A recent study surveyed former Crisis Counselors and explored how the service has shaped their lives.
To become a crisis counselor, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degreeExternal link:open_in_new in psychology, social work, or another mental health field. Some counseling programs will accept a bachelor’s degree in a non-related subject, as long as you complete the necessary prerequisite classes.
After completing your education and training, you’ll need to pass a licensing exam. The requirements will vary by state.
Once you’re licensed, you can work in a variety of settings. You may find yourself working in hospitals, community mental health centers, schools, or alongside law enforcement. You might even choose to focus on trauma-informed care, which involves understanding how past experiences impact clients and helping them heal from those traumas. To stay up to date on new intervention techniques and ethical practices, you can take continuing education courses. Platforms like Agents of Change Continuing Education offer convenient, self-paced courses that fit into your busy schedule without compromising the quality of your education.
Get Support from a Trained Volunteer
It’s not always easy to ask for help. Life gets busy, work and home responsibilities take priority and the stress of day-to-day life can mount. If you are in crisis or need support, you can text 988 or call 855-NYC-WELL to speak with a trained counselor for free and get the help and resources you need. You can also call or text NYC Well Chat to connect with a trained counselor or peer support specialist via SMS. Interpreters are available for many languages.
If you are a young person of color, the Steve Fund has created a special keyword, STEVE, for you to use to connect with a live, trained Crisis Counselor. Just text STEVE to 741741 when you are feeling down, stressed or overwhelmed and someone will be there for you 24/7. This service is anonymous and confidential. You will receive two automated responses that tell you you are being connected with a counselor and invite you to share more if you want to.
Get Help Today
Busy schedules, maintaining a home and caring for a family can all be incredibly stressful. If you are having a hard time and need someone to talk to, text 741741 to get connected with a trained Crisis Counselor. This service is free and anonymous.
A trained Crisis Counselor will respond within minutes, and will help you de-escalate your situation and connect you to resources in your area. They can even help if you are trying to support a friend who is in distress – a counselor can offer guidance on how to best support them.
The Trevor Project is a national suicide and crisis hotline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) young people under 25. They provide free, confidential crisis counseling via text message and online instant messaging. You can reach them by texting “Trevor” to 741741 or calling 1-866-488-7386. Both services are available 24/7.