Below is a guide to helplines in the USA and Canada, offering support options tailored to various needs. Most of these resources are available 24/7 and offer free and confidential support.
USA:
988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline - https://988lifeline.org/
988 is available to everyone across the United States. When people call, text, or chat at 988, they will be connected to trained counsellors who are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counsellors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
To direct students to 988's web-based chat, please use this link: https://988lifeline.org/chat/
This resource was formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Teen Talk - https://teenlineonline.org/talk-now/
Trained teen peer ‘listeners’ (volunteers) are available to connect with other teens who may be struggling with a variety of topics (depression, suicidal thoughts, relationships, loneliness, etc.)
Call - 800-852-8336 - Available 6 PM - 10 PM PST
Text - 839863 - Available 6 PM - 9 PM PST
Email - https://www.teenline.org/email-us
All after-hours calls will be handled by Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center:
Call - 800-852-8336
English & Spanish language support
Korean language support - 877-727-4747
The Trevor Project - https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people.
Available 24/7
Call - 866-488-7386
Text - ‘Start’ to 678-678
Chat online - click here
Crisis Text Line - https://www.crisistextline.org/
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need.
Text ‘Home’ to 741-741 to be connected with a crisis counsellor - English language support
Text ‘Ayuda’ to 741-741 - Spanish language support
Canada:
Crisis Text Line - https://www.crisistextline.ca/
Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone serves anyone in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via the medium people already use and trust: text.
Text - ‘Home’ or ‘Start’ to 686868
Text in French - ‘Parler’ to 686868
Kids Help Phone - https://kidshelpphone.ca/
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 national support service. We offer professional counselling, information and referrals, and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French.
Call - 1-800-668-6868 (English, French, Arabic)
YouthSpace - https://youthspace.ca/
Youthspace.ca is an online crisis & emotional support chat service. We listen without judgment and keep chats confidential and anonymous.
Text - 778-783-0177
Available 6 PM - 12 AM PST, 365 days a year
Online Chat - Click Here
Available 6 PM - 12 AM PST, 365 days a year
The Canada Suicide Prevention Service - https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/
If you’re thinking about suicide or are worried about a friend or loved one, the Canada Suicide Prevention Service is available 24/7 for voice and 4 PM to 12 AM ET for text.
Call - 833-456-4566 (English and French)
Residents of Quebec Call - 866.277.3553
Text - 45645 (English ONLY - French services unavailable at this time)
Available 4PM - 12AM EST