Crisis Help: Brazil
If you’re in crisis right now, você não está sozinho (you’re not alone).
Help is available immediately, confidentially, and without judgment.
⚠️ Content note: This page discusses suicide, abuse, self-harm, and violence.
If that feels overwhelming, you can skip everything and just call the number below.
🚨 Right Now: Call This Number
CVV – Centro de Valorização da Vida
- Phone: 188
- Cost: Free from any landline or mobile phone
- Hours: 24/7, every day of the year
- Website: https://www.cvv.org.br
- Chat: Available on the website (hours depend on volunteer availability)
- Email: [email protected] (response typically within 24 hours)
- Languages: Portuguese (primary); support in other languages may occur but is not guaranteed
What CVV provides:
- Immediate emotional support
- Suicide prevention
- Confidential, non-judgmental conversation
- Trained volunteers
- No identification or documents required
If unsure what to say, start with:
“Estou em crise.”
(I’m in crisis.)
“Estou tendo pensamentos suicidas.”
(I’m having suicidal thoughts.)
“Preciso conversar com alguém.”
(I need to talk to someone.)
They will guide you from there.
Other Crisis Options (Choose What Fits Your Situation)
Mental Health Crisis
CVV: 188 (24/7)
CAPS – Centros de Atenção Psicossocial
- Public mental-health centers offering psychiatric and psychological support
- Search: “CAPS [sua cidade]”
- Hours: Most CAPS operate Monday-Friday during business hours
- 24/7 CAPS: Only CAPS III and CAPS AD III operate 24 hours (limited locations)
Suicidal Thoughts
- CVV: 188 (24/7)
- For follow-up care: contact your local CAPS or SUS health unit
Abuse, Violence, and Exploitation
Domestic or Sexual Violence (Women)
Ligue 180 – Central de Atendimento à Mulher
Services:
- Reports domestic violence, sexual violence, gender-based violence
- Provides orientation and referral to local protective services
- Confidential and free
Child Abuse or Child Sexual Exploitation
Disque 100 – Direitos Humanos
- Phone: 100 (free, 24/7)
- WhatsApp: (61) 99611-0100
- Telegram: @DireitosHumanosBrasil
- Mobile app: “Direitos Humanos Brasil” (iOS/Android)
- Libras (video calls): Available at gov.br/mdh/pt-br/ondh
Reports violations against:
- Children and adolescents
- Older adults
- Disabled people
- LGBTQIA+ people
- Other vulnerable groups
You can report anonymously.
Sexual Violence (Medical Care)
If sexual assault occurred within the last 72 hours, seek urgent medical care at a hospital that provides “atendimento a vítimas de violência sexual.”
In São Paulo:
- Hospital da Mulher (formerly Hospital Pérola Byington)
- Address: Av. Rio Branco 1080, Campos Elíseos, São Paulo
- Services: 24-hour sexual violence care, forensic services, psychological support
- Phone: (11) 3197-0966
- Website: hospitaldamulhersp.org.br
In other cities:
- Search: “hospital violência sexual [sua cidade]”
- Go to nearest hospital emergency room or UPA
Youth Crisis
- CVV: 188 (24/7 emotional support)
- Disque 100: For reporting youth abuse/exploitation
- Local CAPS-i (child/adolescent CAPS) where available
- UNICEF Pode Falar: podefalar.org.br or WhatsApp (61) 9660-8843 (ages 13-24, anonymous chat support)
Disability-Specific Support
These are not crisis hotlines but can help with navigation, referrals, and protection:
APAE – Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais
- Support for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities
- 2,200+ locations across Brazil
- Website: apaebrasil.org.br
- Search: “APAE [sua cidade]”
Deaf Community Support
FENEIS – Federação Nacional de Educação e Integração dos Surdos
- National Deaf rights organization
- Website: feneis.org.br
- State-level Deaf federations also exist
- Search: “FENEIS” or “Federação de Surdos [seu estado]”
Medical or Safety Emergencies
If someone is in immediate physical danger or needs emergency care:
- SAMU (ambulance): 192
- Police: 190
- Fire Department: 193
- Go to the nearest hospital or UPA (Unidade de Pronto Atendimento)
These numbers are 24/7, free, and nationwide.
Local Resources to Help Triage or Connect You to Support
These organizations vary by city, but most medium and large municipalities have them.
1. Municipal Health Departments (Secretaria Municipal de Saúde)
They can help direct you to:
- CAPS
- Emergency mental-health services
- Psychologists and psychiatrists
- Crisis stabilization units
- Social assistance services
Search: “Secretaria de Saúde [sua cidade]”
2. CRAS – Centro de Referência de Assistência Social
For people experiencing:
- Family conflict
- Disability-related needs
- Poverty, food insecurity
- Domestic violence risk
- Need for referrals to shelters or protective services
Coverage: 8,360+ units in 97%+ of Brazilian municipalities
Search: “CRAS [sua cidade]”
3. CREAS – Centro Especializado de Assistência Social
For serious violations, including:
- Domestic violence
- Sexual violence
- Abuse or neglect
- Forced institutionalization
- Rights violations
Coverage: 2,780+ units nationwide
Search: “CREAS [sua cidade]”
4. Public Defender’s Office (Defensoria Pública)
Free legal help in:
- Violence cases
- Disability rights
- Housing insecurity
- Access to healthcare/SUS
- Social security issues
Search: “Defensoria Pública [estado]”
5. Local Mental-Health Emergency Rooms
Often located inside:
- UPA (Unidade de Pronto Atendimento)
- Municipal hospitals
- Regional psychiatric emergency centers (“emergência psiquiátrica”)
Note: UPAs operate 24/7 for urgent care, including psychiatric emergencies.
Search: “emergência psiquiátrica [sua cidade]”
Accessibility & Contact Methods
If You Prefer Chat/Text
- CVV Chat: via cvv.org.br (hours listed on site)
- CVV Email: [email protected]
- Ligue 180 WhatsApp: (61) 9610-0180
- Disque 100 WhatsApp: (61) 99611-0100
- UNICEF Pode Falar (ages 13-24): WhatsApp (61) 9660-8843 or podefalar.org.br
If You’re Deaf or Hard of Hearing
If You’re in a Remote Area
- 188 works from all mobile and landline phones
- Many CAPS and SUS mobile teams serve rural/remote communities
- WhatsApp options available with internet connection
After the Crisis Call
Crisis lines help you get through right now.
Afterward, consider connecting with long-term support:
- CAPS (mental health treatment)
- UPA or hospital (medical or psychiatric evaluation)
- SUS / public health centers (UBS) (ongoing care)
- Local NGOs or disability organizations
- CRAS/CREAS for social support or protection
Recovery doesn’t happen alone. Help is available.
Important Information
Free Services
All hotlines listed (188, 180, 100, 190, 192, 193) are free.
Confidential
CVV, 180, and 100 respect confidentiality.
Authorities are contacted only if someone is in immediate danger.
24/7 Services
- 24/7: 188, 180, 100, 190, 192, 193
- Variable hours: CAPS (most operate business hours; only CAPS III and CAPS AD III are 24/7), hospitals, NGOs
You Don’t Need to Be “Sick Enough” to Call
If you’re asking yourself “sou doente o suficiente para ligar?” (am I sick enough to call?)—
You are. Call.
Related Pages
In crisis right now? Call 188. Everything else can wait.
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Last updated: January 2026