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The Mental Health Association of SF has a free peer-run Warmline that is available 24/7 to any age or demographic, for all of California.

To access it, you can call or text 1-855-600-WARM (9276) 

or go to this website for online chat: https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/peer-run-warmline/ 

The people who operate this line have extensive training and are all paid peers who have lived-experience with mental health issues, caregiving, and other life problems. Confidentiality is highly protected.

To find other warm lines in other states, to go http://www.warmline.org 

Anyone who needs to talk about virtually anything at any time is encouraged to call. There is no need to wait until you are in crisis.

If you feel like you or someone you know is in immediate danger, you should call 911 (or your country's local emergency line) or go to an emergency room to get immediate help.
Explain that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for someone who is trained for these kinds of situations.

Getting help for any kind of mental health or domestic issue can feel hard. Calling a hotline can be intimidating, and often it can feel tough to justify that what you're going through is "serious enough" to reach out.

The process has gotten easier though -- now there are many hotlines that let you text or chat with someone, without ever placing a call. Not only does that remove some of the intimidation of talking on the phone, it also means you can have a discrete conversation if you want or need to.

No matter what issue you're facing, there is a free, confidential service that can help. Most are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

This guide outlines many different organizations in the US (some service other countries as well) that can provide support, resources and counseling, whether you are in a crisis situation or not. This list is not exhaustive, and it's worth Googling to find any local services available where you live as well.

What to know before calling a crisis hotline

You don't need to be experiencing a crisis to contact a crisis hotline. At most of these hotlines, the volunteers and counselors who answer calls, texts and chat messages are trained to help someone in crisis. But you can also reach out if you're feeling sad, anxious or stressed and don't know where to turn. 

These hotlines also serve friends, family members and loved ones of someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis, domestic violence, abuse, addiction and many other issues. 

Even if someone at a crisis hotline cannot help you with your specific needs, they can point you to the right resources that can. No one will ever make you feel bad for trying to get help, and no concern is too trivial or small. If it feels hard for you to manage, it's worth reaching out.

Mental health and suicide hotlines

These two services specialize in helping individuals (and their friends, family and loved ones) who are having suicidal thoughts. That said, both services can provide support for other mental health issues.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 
1-800-273-8255

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline fields calls 24/7 for anyone with suicidal thoughts or who are in crisis. It offers help for Spanish-speakers and anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing. 

Its website also offers many resources to get help for yourself or someone you know.

Crisis Text Line:
Text Hello to 741741

Crisis Text Line

Crisis Text Line fields messages about suicidal thoughts, abuse, sexual assault, depression, anxiety, bullying and more. What makes it unique is that it's entirely text-based, which makes it easy for anyone who doesn't feel comfortable or safe talking on the phone to use it.

You can text 741741 in the US or UK (686868 in Canada), reach out via WhatsApp or message Crisis Text Line on Facebook for help. You'll be matched with a volunteer counselor, who is supervised by a licensed, trained mental health professional.

Crisis hotlines for kids and teens

These two services are aimed at different audiences. YouthLine is available for kids and young adults who want to talk to someone about what's happening in their lives, while ChildHelp tackles issues of child abuse.

YouthLine: 
Text teen2teen to 839863, or call 1-877-968-8491

YouthLine provides a safe space for children and adults ages 11 to 21, to talk through any issues they may be facing, including eating disorders, relationship or family concerns, bullying, sexual identity, depression, self-harm, anxiety and thoughts of suicide.

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: call or text 1-800-422-4453

For issues related to child abuse, Childhelp connects you with a professional counselors to help in a crisis, and provide information on how to get help. They offer phone support in 170 languages, or you can chat online with a counselor.

Domestic and sexual violence hotlines

For anyone who is a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault (or know someone who is), these hotlines offer counseling and advice.

National Domestic Violence Hotline:
Text "START" to 88788 or call 1-800-799-7233

Anyone who is experiencing domestic violence and/or abuse, plus anyone concerned about a friend, family member or loved one can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

They offer support in more than 200 languages, and offer a confidential, secure online chat.

RAINN

National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-855-812-1001

The National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline is a spinoff from the NDVH specifically for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. 

You can get help over email, or talk via video call to a trained counselor. 

RAINN: 1-800-656-4673

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network's hotline is for anyone who's experienced sexual abuse or assault. 

When you call its main hotline, you'll be connected with someone at a local organization in your area who can provide live support and direct you to additional resources. RAINN also offers live chat on its website.

Hotlines for the LGBTQIA+ community

Whether you're struggling with your gender identity or sexuality, or are experiencing a crisis and want to talk to someone who is part of the LGBTQIA+ community, you can lean on these hotlines. 

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678

LGBTQIA+ kids and teens can reach out to The Trevor Project for support during a crisis, if they are feeling suicidal or need a safe space to talk about any issue. You can also chat via their website or by texting START to 678678.

Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860

The Trans Lifeline provides support specifically for transgender and questioning callers, run trans people. They provide support during a crisis and can also offer guidance to anyone who is questioning their gender and needs support. 

The hotline is available between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. PST (9 a.m. to 3 a.m. CST or 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. EST). But operators are often available during off-hours, so no matter when you need to call, you should.

A few other LGBTQIA helplines that offer support, but not necessarily crisis intervention:

• LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564

• LGBT National Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-7743

• LGBT Senior Hotline: 1-888-234-7243

Drug or alcohol abuse

If you are experiencing any kind of emergency situation related to drug or alcohol use, you should call 911 or your local emergency line.

SAMHSA National Helpline: 
1-800-662-4357

If you are struggling with addiction or are concerned about a loved one's alcohol or drug abuse, you can contact the hotline for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This US government agency offers support and information about treatment and recovery.