If You Need Help Right Now
You don’t have to explain yourself. You don’t have to be sure it’s “bad enough.” You can reach a real person any time, day or night.
Within the US
If you or someone with you is in immediate physical danger, call 911 (or your local emergency number).
Call or text 988 — the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Free, confidential, 24/7. Or chat at 988lifeline.org/chat.
Text HOME to 741741 — Crisis Text Line. If talking out loud feels like too much, this is texting only.
For military and veterans — dial 988 then press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. You can also text 838255, or chat at veteranscrisisline.net.
In Spanish — Para ayuda en español, llama al 988 y oprime el 2, o envÃa la palabra AYUDA al 988. También puedes chatear en 988lifeline.org/es/chat. Es gratis y confidencial, las 24 horas.
Deaf or hard of hearing: dial 988 from a videophone, or use the ASL Now option at 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/for-deaf-hard-of-hearing. TTY users dial 711, then 988.
Outside the US
Find a verified crisis line in your country at Find A Helpline.
Specialized Resources
For more specific help, find specialized resources below.
Looking for something specific? Jump straight to it.
This is a starting point. It’s a page that exists for when you feel like you’re drowning and need help now. Every resource here is free.
A quick note on how to use it: many of these offer more than one way to reach them (call, text, or chat), so you can pick whatever feels doable right now. If one line is busy, try another. They’re here for you and they’re ready to listen and help where they can.
I am based in the United States and most familiar with their resources, so the bulk of this list is US-based. I keep this list current myself, though every resource here is run by its own organization, not by me. I am not a medical or mental health professional. Use your judgment on what is the right fit for you and your circumstances.
It would be impossible to list and maintain every resource for every region, but I have an International section to help as a starting point for non-US-based readers as well. If you have a resource suggestion, I want to hear about it.
Last Reviewed: June 2026
General Mental Health and Emotional Crisis
For non-crisis support resources you can view the ND-Affirming Provider Hubs on our Practical Help page.
Veterans and Service Members
There are more non-crisis support resources in the For Veterans section of our Practical Help page. You can also visit the Grief and Loss section.
LGBTQIA+
More non-crisis support resources are available in our ND-Affirming Provider Hubs and Family and Community Support resources of our Practical Help page. You can also visit the Grief and Loss section.
Domestic violence, SA, and Abuse
Eating Disorders
Substance Use
International – Outside the United States
These pages are written from the US, but you’re welcome here no matter where you are. If you have a resource you think should be on this list, please let me know.
Additional Help
If you’re not in an emergency but you’re still struggling and want somewhere to start, I’ve put together some additional resources for you.
Over on the Practical Help page, there’s a list of resources to help with the everyday stuff: food, bills, housing, benefits, and navigating systems that were never built for human brains.
I’ve got a list of neurodivergent-affirming provider directories where you can find someone local who’s ready to listen.
If you’re a veteran or service member, there’s a section built for you with directories and support that understand military life.
If you’re grieving, either a death or a living loss, you’ll find grief and loss resources there too, sorted by the kind of loss you’re carrying.
I’ve also made an effort to include Spanish and other language resources where possible.
Broken Link? Missing Resource?
Found a link that’s broken or a number that’s changed? Think there’s something important missing? Please tell me so I can fix it for the next person. This list is kept current by hand, and a heads-up makes a difference.