Suicide crisis lines are telephone numbers that a person can call if they feel like killing or hurting themselves.[1]
There have been studies in the United States[2] and Australia[3] which show that suicide crisis lines may help people who feel like killing or hurting themselves and may make them feel better.
One of the first of these "hotlines" was the Samaritans, created in 1953 by Chad Varah in the United Kingdom, who managed the church in London which at that time was called St. Steven's Church. He believed there should be a place where people can listen to visitors and callers who thought about killing themselves, and help them feel better. He had this idea after giving a speech to help comfort the family and friends of a 13-year-old girl. Before her death, the girl was extremely worried and had nobody to talk to.[4]
000, 112 and 106[7] are the national emergency numbers in Australia.
Lifeline is a 24-hour nationwide service that provides access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services.[8] It can be reached at 13 11 14. They also offer an online chat service from 7pm to midnight Sydney time every day.[9][10]
Kids Helpline is a 24-hour nationwide service that provides access to crisis support, suicide prevention and counselling services for Australians aged 5–25. It can be reached at 1800 55 1800. In addition the Kids Helpline does also provide online chat services.[11]
Beyond Blue provides nationwide information and support regarding anxiety, depression, and suicide. It has a helpline which can be reached by calling 1300 22 4636. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, the organisation also provides online chat from 3 pm to 12 am every day.[12]
The Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service that provides professional 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people who are affected by suicide. It has a helpline which can be reached by calling 1300 659 467. The organisation also offers online chat and video chat services.[13]
MensLine Australia is a 24/7 telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health, mental health and relationship concerns. It has a helpline which can be reached by calling 1300 78 99 78. The organisation also online counselling.[14]
122 is the national fire-brigade number in Austria.
133 is the national police number in Austria.
144 is the national ambulance number in Austria.
142 is the number of Telefonseelsorge in Austria. Free of charge, operating 24 hours a day.[15]
147 is the number of Rat auf Draht, a crisis number especially for children, juveniles and their attachment figures. Free of charge, operating 24 hours a day.[16]
999 is the national emergency number in Bangladesh. 199 is the national number for ambulance and fire.
Kaan Pete Roi (http://shuni.org/) is an emotional support helpline in Bangladesh whose mission is to alleviate feelings of despair, isolation, distress, and suicidal feelings among members of the community, through confidential listening. The helpline is intended for suicide prevention and the promotion of mental health.[18]
Teléfono de la Esperanza aims at promoting mental health to the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking world. Bolivians living in Cochabamba and La Paz can call (00 591 4) 4 25 42 42 and 75288084.[21]
190 and 192 are the national emergency numbers for police and ambulances in Brazil.
Centro de Valorização da Vida (http://www.cvv.org.br/) is an emotional and suicidal prevention support NGO founded in 1962 in São Paulo, Brazil, and recognized as Federal Public Utility in 1973. It offers voluntary and free support, with all communications being confidential. Contacts can be made through the phone number 188 (available 24/7), personally (in one of the 72 centres around the country), chat (via their website), VoIP (via Skype) and e-mail.
Bulgarian Red Cross (https://www.redcross.bg/activities/activities5/telefon.html) is providing free consultations related to psycho-social issues and difficulties such as substance addiction, suicide prevention, depression and for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Red Cross can also be a first point of contact for situations related to human trafficking.
Kids Help Phone (https://kidshelpphone.ca/) is a free 24/7 national support service that provides confidential professional counselling, information, referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French.
Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone (crisistextline.ca) is a free, confidential 24/7 national crisis-intervention text-message service.[23] It can be reached by texting HOME (English) or PARLER (French) to 686868.
110 (police) and 120 (ambulance) are the national emergency numbers in mainland China.
Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center (http://www.crisis.org.cn), a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, available 24/7 at 800-810-1117 (for landline callers) or 010-8295-1332 (for mobile and VoIP callers)
Guangzhou Crisis Research and Intervention Center (http://www.gzcrisis.com/) available 24/7 at 020-81899120 or 020-12320-5, online counseling is also available with QQ messenger at 1661042151
Mental Health Center of School of Medicine of Zhejiang University (http://www.hz7hospital.com/) available 24/7 at 0571-85029595
Plavi Telefon (www.plavi-telefon.hr) can be called at 48 33 888 and aim to provide support for issues such as depression, alcoholism, drug abuse and suicide that traditional centers might not accomplish.
MIELI Mental Health Finland has provided assistance and support for those dealing with mental health issues and suicide since 1897. They can be reached at 09 2525 0111 (Finnish, 24/7), 09 2525 0112 (Swedish) or 09 2525 0113 (Arabic and English).[26]
112 is the national emergency number in France, 15 is the number for ambulances, 114 for all emergency services for deaf using FAX or SMS and 17 is for police.
3114: the national suicide prevention hotline. A toll-free 24/7 lifeline that provides professional and confidential attention to people in need. This number also caters to the needs of health professionals, worried relatives, people beavered by suicide as well as to anybody else facing this sensitive issue.
Fil santé jeunes: 0800 235 236: anonymous and toll-free number for young people.
The Guyana Inter-agency Suicide Prevention Helpline was launched by the Guyana Police Force in 2015 to help those struggling with suicidal thoughts. The helpline can be reached 24 hours a day by calling (+592) 223–0001, or 223–0009, and calling and/or texting (+592) 600-7896, or 623-4444.[27][28]
112 is the national emergency number for Hungary. Call 112
LESZ (https://sos116-123.hu/): Call 116-123 or 06 80 810-600 24/7 - Anonym helpline providing emotional support for those who are stressed, distressed, depressed, or suicidal. The association works together with 22 services to provide the necessary help.
Blue Line (https://kek-vonal.hu/): Call 116-111 24/7 - Anonym child crisis helpline providing emotional support for young people who are in need of someone to listen to them, provide comfort, give suggestions or if they're just simply curious about topics regarding their surrounding. Chat and E-mail available on the website, but registration is needed. Adults concerned about the mental or physical safety of children can call 116-000
112 is the national emergency number for India. Call 112.
Kiran: 1800-599-0019. A national 24/7 toll free helpline launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to help people with suicidal thoughts, depression and other mental health issues.
Samaritans Mumbai: (samaritansmumbai.com) - +91 8422984528, +91 8422984529, +91 8422984530 - 3 pm to 9 pm, all days. Helpline providing emotional support for those who are stressed, distressed, depressed, or suicidal.
Save Indian Family Foundation (https://www.saveindianfamily.org/) contact numbers of local helplines across India. Helping families to avoid suicidal thoughts and overcome societal issues.
Lifeline Foundation (Kolkata): (www.lifelinefoundation.in[30]) - Tele-helpline for providing emotional support to distressed, depressed or suicidal +91 9088030303[30], 03340447437[30] 10am to 10pm all days of the week. Non-judgemental, confidential, free service.
iCall (https://icallhelpline.org/): +91 9152987821 (Mon to Sat from 10 am - 8 pm). It is a telephone and email based counselling service run by School of Human Ecology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, that offers free telephone and email-based counseling services.
The Jeevan Aastha Helpline is an initiative by the Gandhinagar Police Department, Gujarat to provide assistance to those seeking immediate mental health counselling across India
110 and 115 are the national emergency numbers for police and ambulances in Iran.[31]
The Iran National Organization of Well-Being, has provided various methods by which the individuals can use the specialists' services free of charge for a variety of problems such as marriage, family, the youth and children, suicide, etc. including online, in person and by phone.[32]
Freephone 116 123 for Samaritans anywhere in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
50808 (https://text50808.ie/) is a free, confidential 24/7 national crisis-intervention text-message service. It can be reached by texting HELLO to 50808.
100 and 101 are the national emergency numbers for police and ambulances in Israel.
Eran.org.il Suicide line (https://www.eran.org.il/) operates 24/7 including holidays and can be reached from all regions of Israel by calling 1201 or 972-9 8891333 from abroad. SMS service is given as well during Sunday - Friday between 14:00-18:00 at 076-88444-00.
Servizio per la Prevenzione del Suicidio (SPS) (http://www.prevenireilsuicidio.it/) is a suicide prevention helpline whose mission is to give psychological and emotional support to anyone in suicidal crisis or to anyone who lost a dear one for suicide, through a confidential listening from an equipe of doctors, psychologists and volunteers. The helpline is operating from 9.30 am till 4.30 pm, from Monday to Friday, and it can be reached from all regions of Italy.
Samaritans - ONLUS (http://www.samaritansonlus.org) is available every day from 1pm to 10pm by calling 800 86 00 22 or 06 77208977.
Telefono Amico (http://www.telefonoamico.it) provides services everyday from 10am to 12am by calling 199284284.
110 and 119 are the national emergency numbers for police and ambulances in Japan.
TELL (http://telljp.com/lifeline/) provides a free, confidential English-language Lifeline service, plus clinical mental health services, for the international community in Japan.[33]
911 is the national emergency number in Jordan.[34]
110 for Families & Children (https://www.jordanriver.jo/en/programs/protecting-children/110-families-children) The Helpline offers services in psychological support and consultation, as well as referrals. The initiative aims to alleviate the effect of risk factors children in vulnerable families are exposed to, including families facing challenges impairing their parenting, as well as abuse cases.[35]
Embrace Emotional Support and Suicide Prevention LifeLine: 1564 from any mobile phone or landline inside Lebanon or +961-1-341941 from anywhere around the globe.
Embrace Emotional Support and Suicide Prevention LifeLine accepts calls in Arabic, English, or French.
Embrace LifeLine (https://embracelebanon.org/) Is available 24/7, including public holidays. The line is always active.
Vilties Linija: Free and anonymous prevention of suicide and psychological crises for adults by phone. Phone 116 123, 24/7
Vaikų liniją (Childline): Free and anonymous help to the children and teenagers by phone and online. Phone 116 111 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM or chat online here (Mon-Fri, 6PM-9PM)
Jaunimo linija (Youth Line): Free, confidential and anonymous emotional support line for those struggling with daily issues, emotional distress or at risk of suicide. Help is being provided by Phone 8 800 28888 (24/7), email or chat online here (Mon-Sat, 6 PM - 10 PM)
Mauritius Suicide Prevention Lifeline is an emotional support helpline in Mauritius whose mission is to alleviate feelings of despair, isolation, distress, and suicidal feelings among members of the community, through confidential listening. The helpline is intended for suicide prevention and the promotion of mental health.
SAPTEL (http://www.saptel.org.mx/index.html) is an independent care provider subsidized by the Mexican red cross. It can be reached at (55) 5259-8121. SAPTEL has been active since 2000. It is totally free and they are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Provides crisis dialogue or treatment for anything related to mental health crisis.
111 is the national emergency number in New Zealand.
1737, need to talk? (http://www.1737.org.nz) is the national mental health and addictions helpline. Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
Lifeline Aotearoa (http://www.lifeline.org.nz) is a New Zealand organisation providing free 24-hour counseling and phone help lines. It provides support, information and resources to people at risk of suicide, family and friends affected by suicide and people supporting someone with suicidal thoughts and/or suicidal behaviours. Call 09 5222 999 if you live within Auckland or 0800 543 354 for those outside of Auckland.
Samaritans Aotearoa New Zealand (http://www.samaritans.org.nz) offers free confidential, non‑judgemental & non‑religious support for people experiencing loneliness, depression, despair, distress or suicidal feelings. Call 0800 72 66 66 to access the 24/7 hotline operated by trained volunteers.
The Lowdown (https://thelowdown.co.nz) provides assistance in dealing with issues such as relationships, anxiety, and depression and are available by e-mail or texting 5626.
112 and 113 is the national emergency numbers for police and ambulances in Norway
Mental HelseMental Helse (Mental Health). Can be reached at 116 123 and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mental Helse does also provide an online mail service at http://sidetmedord.no where users can write messages anonymously and get answers within 48-hours. A chat-service is also provided. It is open Mondays from 19.00 - 22.00 and Wednesdays: from 19.00 - 22.00. The chat-services may not always be open in July and on public celebration days or Sundays.
Kirkens SOSKirkens SOS (The Church SOS). Can be reached at 22 40 00 40 and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The line is free to call and confidential. Kirkens SOS does also provide an anonymous message service (which replies within 24-hours) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and a chat open 7 days a week at 18.30 - 22.30.
15, 115 and 1122 are the national emergency numbers for police and ambulances in Pakistan
Umang Hotline Pakistan (https://www.umang.com.pk/) is a Pakistani NGO and has a 24/7 free mental health helpline, It is run by clinical psychologists, therapists, counselors and psychiatrists. Their helpline can be reached at (92) 0311 7786264 / 0311 (77UMANG)
Rapid Healing Medical Services Pakistan (https://rapidhms.com/) is a Pakistani mental health services, It is run by clinical psychologists, therapists, counselors and psychiatrists. Their helpline can be reached at (92) 336 1820007
Olsztynski Telefon Zaufania 'Anonimowy Przyjaciel (http://telefonzaufania.org/) provides 24/7 assistance as the only unit of this type in Poland. They can be reached by calling 89 19288 or 89 527 00 00.
Voz de Apoio (http://www.vozdeapoio.pt) is anonymous and confidential. You can speak to them by calling 225 50 60 70 or through Skype, face-to-face, or writing.
Sos Voz Amiga (http://www.sosvozamiga.org) is available daily from 4pm to 12am by calling 213 544 545, 912 802 669, or 963 524 660. Free Green Line callers can call 800 209 899 from 9pm to 12am.
Sos Estudante (http://sosestudante.pt) provides anonymous, confidential support every day from 8pm to 1am by calling 915 246 060, 969 554 545, 239 484 020 as well as through Skype.
Alianța Română de Prevenție a Suicidului (http://www.antisuicid.com/) is a Romanian support helpline whose mission is to give psychological and emotional support to those who are suicidal or in a psychological crisis. Help is offered by psychologists and Psychology student volunteers. They can be reached at 0800 801 200 and are available between 19:00 and 07:00.
Asociația de Suicidologie (http://www.preveniresuicid.eu/pagina-principala/) is a Romanian NGO whose mission is to offer emergency counseling to those, regardless of their age, who are in a psychological crisis and may express suicidal ideation. Their helpline, Prevenire Suicid, can be reached at 0800 080 100 or 116 123 and is available 24/7.
TelVerde antidepresie: 0800 0800 20. A toll-free anti-depression hotline which is available 24/7.
Helpline anti-anxietate: 0374 456 420. A toll-free anti-anxiety hotline which is available 24/7.
999 and 995 are the national emergency numbers for the police and ambulances in Singapore.
The Samaritans of Singapore (https://sos.org.sg/) is the only 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline in Singapore, for anyone having difficulty coping during a crisis, who are thinking of suicide or affected by suicide."[37]
The Singapore Association of Mental Health (http://www.samhealth.org.sg/) is a voluntary welfare organisation that provides a toll-free counselling helpline for those with emotional crisis or mental health conditions.[37]
Zaupni telefon Samarijan in Sopotnik (http://www.telefon-samarijan.si/) is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. The purpose of the organisation is to be available for a conversation to anyone suffering from distress. The confidential phone call hotline is carried out in accordance with the fundamental principles of the international organisation IFOTES. Qualified volunteers can be reached on the toll-free telephone number 116 123.
TOM – telefon za otroke in mladostnike (http://www.e-tom.si) is available 7-days a week from 13:00 - 20:00 and is primarily meant for children and adolescents in distress. The telephone functions within the Association of Friends of Youth of Slovenia (ZPMS). It serves the purpose of providing emotional support for children and young people who face various questions, dilemmas or distress during the process of growing up. Advisers are available to callers needing to share their problems or are seeking advice and additional information on the toll-free telephone number 116 111.
Klic v duševni stiski (http://www.psih-klinika.si/koristne-informacije/klic-v-dusevni-stiski/) is available 7-days a week 19:00 - 7:00. Counsellors of the hotline are trained to work with people and especially trained to talk with people who are having suicidal thoughts. However, you can call for help regardless of the cause of your distress. They are available on the telephone number (01) 520-99-00.
Ženska svetovalnica – krizni center (http://www.drustvo-zenska-svetovalnica.si/o-nas) is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. It is a voluntary women's organisation that works in the field of psycho-social assistance and the self-help of women who are victims of violence. They offer free counseling, information on public service competencies and assistance in organizing self-help groups to women in need. They are available on the telephone number +386 31 233 211.
Suicide Crisis Line: Call 024. Available 24/7 and free of charge.
Teléfono de la Esperanza (http://www.telefonodelaesperanza.org) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing callers to discuss a range of challenges from trauma and suicide to relationship issues. They can be reached by calling 717 003 717.
Självmordslinjen (Suicide prevention hotline) (https://mind.se/hitta-hjalp/sjalvmordslinjen/) is a registered non-profit organisation[41] that has worked with mental health since 1931.[41] The organisation provides a 24-hour email, chat and hotline service, all of which are toll-free.[42] Självmordslinjen can be reached at 90101.
BRIS - Barnens rätt i samhället (Children's right in society) (https://www.bris.se/) is a children's rights organisation. They offer toll-free and anonymous support for all children and young adults up to the age of 18 through phone and chat every day of the year 14:00 - 21:00. BRIS can be reached at 116 111 but also offers contact to curators through email and contact with other youth through their online forum.[43]
999 and 112 is the national emergency number in the United Kingdom
111, Option 2, is the National Health Services' First Response Service for mental health crises and support. This is not available in all areas of the country yet.
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK can be reached on 0800 689 5652.
SOS Silence of Suicide is a registered charity supporting children & adults struggling with poor mental health and suicidal ideation. They provide a standard rate phone support service open 8pm until Midnight, Friday to Monday inclusive. You can reach them on 0300 1020 505
Shout (https://www.giveusashout.org/) is the UK's first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It is a place to go for those struggling to cope and in need of immediate help. Shout is an affiliate of the Crisis Text Line in the U.S.
911 is the national emergency number in the United States.
211 is a phone number in the United States for people in crisis who need emergency referrals to social and community services but are not experiencing an immediate life-threatening emergency. Services available vary by state.[47]
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (http://988lifeline.org/) is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.[48][49] It provides Spanish-speaking counselors, as well as options for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. It is only available in the United States.[50] A 24-hour Online Chat in partnership with Contact USA[51] is also available.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988.
The Lifeline's previous number, 1-800-273-8255, can still be dialed at anytime.[52]
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454
Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988[53]
The Veterans Crisis Line (https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/) is a 24-hour, toll-free hotline that provides phone, webchat, and text options available to military veterans and their families. It provides options for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
The Veterans Crisis Line can be reached at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, followed by Pressing 1
The hotline can also be reached by texting to 838255.
IMAlive Crisis Chatine (www.imalive.org) is a non-profit, worldwide 24/7, anonymous chatline to help anyone in crisis via instant messaging.
TrevorText can be reached by texting START to 678-678
Trans Lifeline (https://www.translifeline.org/) is a nonprofit organization that is created by and for the transgender community, providing crisis intervention hotlines, staffed by transgender individuals, available in the United States and Canada.
The Trans Lifeline can be reached at 1-877-565-8860.[24]
↑Gould MS, Kalafat J, Harrismunfakh JL, et al. An evaluation of crisis hotline outcomes. Part 2: Suicidal callers. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2007 Jun;37(3):338-52. PMID 1757954
↑King R, Nurcombe B, Bickman L, Hides L, et al. Telephone counselling for adolescent suicide prevention: changes in suicidality and mental state from beginning to end of a counselling session. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2003 Winter;33(4):400-11. PMID 14695055
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