Crisis Help: North America
If you’re in crisis right now, you’re not alone.
Help is available immediately, confidentially, and without judgment.
This page connects you to crisis resources across North America.
⚠️ Content note: This page discusses suicide, abuse, self-harm, and violence.
Where Are You?
North America
Caribbean
Central America
United States
National Crisis Lines
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Phone: 988 (call or text, 24/7, free)
- Phone: 1-800-273-8255 (alternative number)
- Chat: https://988lifeline.org/chat
- TTY: Use your preferred relay service then call 988
- Languages: English, Spanish, over 250 languages via interpretation
Crisis Text Line
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth)
Trans Lifeline
RAINN (Sexual Assault)
- Phone: 1-800-656-4673 (24/7)
- Chat: https://www.rainn.org
- Connects to local sexual assault service providers
National Domestic Violence Hotline
National Child Abuse Hotline
National Runaway Safeline
- Phone: 1-800-786-2929 (24/7)
- Text: 66008
- For youth in crisis
BlackLine (Black, Black LGBTQ+, Brown, Native, Muslim)
StrongHearts Native Helpline
Emergency Services
State-Specific Resources
Most states have local crisis lines. Search: “[your state] crisis line” or “[your city] mental health crisis”
Canada
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline
- Phone: 988 (24/7, launched November 2023)
- Nationwide suicide prevention service
Crisis Services Canada
Kids Help Phone
Hope for Wellness Helpline (Indigenous)
Trans Lifeline
Assaulted Women’s Helpline (Ontario)
- Phone: 1-866-863-0511 (24/7)
- TTY: 1-866-863-7868
SOS Violence Conjugale (Quebec)
Emergency Services
Provincial/Territorial Resources
Each province has local crisis services. Search: “[province] crisis line” or “211” for community resources.
Mexico
SAPTEL (Sistema Nacional de Apoyo)
- Phone: (55) 5259-8121 or 800-472-7835 (free, 24/7)
- National psychological support line
- Website: https://saptel.org.mx
Línea de la Vida (Ministry of Health)
- Phone: 800-911-2000 (free, 24/7)
- Substance abuse and mental health crisis
Consejo Ciudadano (Citizen Council)
- Phone: 55-5533-5533 (24/7, Mexico City)
- Crime reporting, domestic violence, emotional support
Línea Nacional contra la Trata de Personas
- Phone: 800-553-3000 (free, 24/7)
- Human trafficking
Emergency Services
- Emergency: 911
- Red Cross: 065
Caribbean
Bahamas
The Bahamas Crisis Centre
Emergency Services
Barbados
Samaritans Barbados
Emergency Services
- Emergency: 211 or 511
- Police: 211
Cuba
Mental Health Services
- Contact local hospitals (policlínicos)
- Limited crisis hotline infrastructure
Emergency Services
- Emergency: 106 (ambulance)
- Police: 106
Dominican Republic
Línea Vida (Lifeline)
- Phone: 809-200-1202 or *462 (from mobile)
- Suicide prevention and emotional support
Línea de Ayuda a la Mujer
- Phone: *212 (from mobile, domestic violence)
Emergency Services
Haiti
Kay Fanm (Women’s House)
- Phone: (509) 2813-1234
- Women’s crisis support
Limited formal crisis services
- Contact local hospitals or NGOs like Partners In Health
Emergency Services
- Police: 114
- Ambulance: 118
Jamaica
Lifeline Jamaica
Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA)
Emergency Services
- Emergency: 119
- Police: 119
Puerto Rico
Línea PAS (Primera Ayuda Psicosocial)
Also use US resources:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline works in Puerto Rico
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Emergency Services
Trinidad and Tobago
Lifeline Trinidad and Tobago
Rape Crisis Society
- Phone: (868) 622-7273 or (868) 624-7273
Emergency Services
- Emergency: 999 or 811
- Police: 999
Central America
Belize
National Helpline
- Phone: 0-800-226-4357 or 227-4357
- Mental health support
Women’s Department Hotline
- Phone: 0-800-922-3444 (domestic violence)
Emergency Services
Costa Rica
Instituto sobre Alcoholismo y Farmacodependencia (IAFA)
- Phone: 800-4232-800 (free, 24/7)
- Substance abuse and crisis support
Línea 911 de Emergencias
- Phone: 911 (all emergencies)
- Mental health crisis support available
INAMU (Women’s Institute)
- Phone: 911 (Option 2, domestic violence)
Emergency Services
El Salvador
Teléfono de la Esperanza
- Phone: 503-2284-2284
- Mental health support
Línea 126 (Women and Family)
- Phone: 126 (domestic violence)
Emergency Services
Guatemala
Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)
- Phone: 1545 (24/7)
- Mental health and crisis support
Línea 1572 (Child Protection)
Emergency Services
Honduras
Teléfono de la Esperanza
- Phone: 2558-1978 (Tegucigalpa)
Línea 114 (Child Protection)
Emergency Services
Nicaragua
Línea 133 (Police)
- Phone: 133
- Can connect to crisis services
Comisaría de la Mujer
- Phone: 118 (women and family violence)
Emergency Services
Panama
Instituto Nacional de Salud Mental
- Phone: 507-263-7768
- Mental health services
Línea 147 (Domestic Violence)
Emergency Services
Regional Resources
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
Befrienders Worldwide
International Association for Suicide Prevention
Important Notes
911 and Emergency Services
- 911 is the emergency number in US, Canada, Mexico, and many Caribbean/Central American countries
- In a mental health crisis, 911 can be called, but be aware this may involve police response
- Some areas have mobile crisis teams that respond instead of police
988 in US and Canada
- US: 988 launched July 2022 for suicide/crisis support
- Canada: 988 launched November 2023
- Both are nationwide, 24/7, confidential
- Connects to local crisis centers
Language Support
- US: Spanish widely available; 988 offers 250+ languages via interpretation
- Canada: English and French nationwide; other languages vary
- Mexico/Central America/Caribbean: Primarily Spanish; some English in tourist areas
- Always ask about language options
Peer-Run and Community-Based Options
US peer-run warmlines (non-crisis emotional support):
Identity-specific support:
- Trans Lifeline (US/Canada)
- BlackLine (US)
- StrongHearts Native Helpline (US/Canada)
- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth, US)
Limitations and Cautions
US/Canada:
- Some crisis lines may involve police response or involuntary hospitalization
- This varies by location and circumstances
- Peer-run lines generally less likely to involve authorities
Caribbean/Central America:
- Services more limited in rural areas
- Some countries have minimal crisis infrastructure
- NGOs and religious organizations often provide support
- Quality and availability vary significantly
Text/Chat Options
- US: Crisis Text Line (741741), 988 text option
- Canada: Kids Help Phone (686868), Crisis Services Canada (45645)
- Limited in most Caribbean and Central American countries
After the Crisis
For ongoing support:
- Community mental health centers
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (US)
- Local Community Health Centres (Canada)
- University counseling centers
- Disability organizations
- Faith communities
- Peer support groups
Related Pages
In crisis right now? Call 988 (US/Canada) or 911. Everything else can wait.
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Last updated: January 2026