Where a teen can talk to someone right now

Do Not Lose Hope is not a crisis line and cannot answer calls or messages for help. This page is not medical advice. It points you to people who are trained to listen.

Who can I reach right now?

You can reach out today. You do not need to be in crisis. Lonely, sad, angry, worried about home, or just need to say it out loud? That is reason enough. Pick the one that feels easiest.

All of these are free. Some phone plans may charge for texts or data. The Trevor Project and Crisis Text Line say "message and data rates may apply."

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 is free and confidential, and it is open 24/7/365. You can call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach out for yourself, or because a friend is struggling.

• In Spanish: dial 988 and then press 2 to talk with a Spanish speaking counselor. Or text AYUDA to 988. 988 says its text and chat are now offered in Spanish too.
• In other languages: call 988 and ask for an interpreter, or say the language you need. Phone interpreters are offered in more than 240 languages. This works on phone calls only.
• If you are Deaf or hard of hearing: 988 has a videophone option, open 24/7/365. See 988lifeline.org.
• If you are LGBTQ+: 988 is for everyone, including LGBTQ+ young people. The Trevor Project, below, is open 24/7 for LGBTQ+ young people.

The Trevor Project, for LGBTQ+ young people

The Trevor Project has crisis counselors for LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, 365 days a year, anywhere in the U.S. It is free and confidential.

• Call 1-866-488-7386 (TTY 1-866-803-3699)
• Text START to 678678
• Chat at thetrevorproject.org/get-help

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained volunteer, 24/7, from anywhere in the U.S. Text HOLA to 741741 for Spanish. You can also chat at crisistextline.org. The volunteer is there to listen and support you. They are not doctors and cannot give medical advice.

What happens when I reach out?

Feeling nervous is normal. Here is what 988 says will happen, step by step.

If you call 988:

1. You hear a short message with options: press 1 for veterans, press 2 for Spanish.
2. You hear music while you wait for a counselor.
3. A counselor says hello, tells you their name and asks if you are safe.
4. They listen, ask how things are affecting you, and may share other places to get help.

If you text 988:

1. You get options. Text AYUDA for Spanish.
2. Reply "Next" to agree to the terms.
3. You answer a few short questions so the counselor knows how to help.
4. You get a message asking you to wait.
5. A counselor says hello and asks if you are safe, then listens.

If you chat at 988lifeline.org: you answer a few short questions, click "Start a Chat," and wait to be connected. A counselor says hello and asks if you are safe, then listens.

You do not need the perfect words. You can start with "I do not know what to say" or "I just need to talk." That is enough.

At Crisis Text Line, you usually reach a volunteer within five minutes, a little longer when it is busy. Most talks last 15 to 45 minutes.

Can I talk to another teen?

Yes. At Teen Line, trained teen volunteers called "Listeners" answer. Each one has more than 100 hours of training and works with adult mental health professionals behind them. It is free, and it is for young people up to age 19.

• Call (800) 852-8336, 6 to 10 p.m. Pacific time, every night
• Text TEEN to 839863, 6 to 9 p.m. Pacific time, every night
• You can also email Teen Line through teenline.org

Right now Teen Line is in English only. For other languages, Teen Line points you to 988. If you call outside Teen Line hours, your call goes to adult counselors at the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center, who are there 24/7. If you are over 19, call or text 988.

Can I talk to someone at school?

Yes. School counselors are not just for classes and grades. Talk to them about stress, family, friends or feeling down.

1. Ask how to see your counselor. Each school sets its own steps. Our suggestion: ask at the counseling office, the front office, or a teacher you trust.
2. If it feels hard to say in person, write a note: "I am having a hard time and would like to talk."
3. If your school has no counselor free today and you need someone now, use 988 or one of the lines above.

In California, what you share with a school counselor is mostly kept private if you are 12 or older. There are some exceptions. See What is private and what is not?

Another adult you trust can help too: a relative, coach, teacher, pastor or youth leader.

Is there a place I can walk into?

allcove centers are for young people ages 12 to 25. You can go for counseling, peer support, physical and sexual health, help with drugs or alcohol, family support, school and job help, or just a quiet space. Services are free or low cost, and staff tell you the cost before you book. You do not need a referral, and most allcove services do not need a parent's OK. Some drop in visits are open, or you can call to make an appointment.

• allcove San Mateo: 2600 South El Camino Real, Suite 300, San Mateo. (650) 226-7030. Monday to Friday, 1 to 7 p.m. English, Spanish and Cantonese. Not billed to insurance.
• allcove Palo Alto: 2741 Middlefield Road, Suite 102, Palo Alto. (650) 798-6330. Monday to Friday, 1 to 7 p.m. English, Spanish and Vietnamese. May bill insurance, depending on your plan.

allcove is for mild to moderate needs and is closed on weekends. If you might hurt yourself, call or text 988.

Not near San Mateo or Palo Alto? In California, call your county's mental health line from the DHCS county list and ask about services for teens. Your school counselor can also tell you about youth programs near you. Anywhere in the U.S., 988 can point you to local help.

What is private and what is not?

Most of what you say stays private at every place on this page. But each one will break privacy if someone's life or safety is in danger. Know this ahead of time, so you can decide what to share.

• 988: your conversation is confidential. Counselors contact 911 only if someone is in danger of being hurt right now and you cannot agree on a safety plan together.
• Teen Line: almost all talks are private and anonymous. Teen Line will share what you say if you are in immediate danger of hurting yourself or someone else, or if you are being hurt, such as abuse.
• The Trevor Project: conversations are confidential. In very specific cases of abuse, or a clear concern that a suicide is happening or about to happen, counselors may need to contact a child welfare agency or emergency services.
• Crisis Text Line: saying "I feel suicidal" does not by itself mean they will call emergency services. They may share your information if they believe it will prevent death or serious injury, if the law requires them to report abuse or neglect of someone under 18, or if a court orders it.
• allcove: what you share is confidential. Staff talk with your parent only with your permission or when state law requires it. Exceptions include risk of harm to yourself or others, and abuse of anyone under 18.
• School counselor: if you are 12 or older, California law keeps personal things you share in counseling private and out of your school record unless you agree in writing. A counselor may share when they need to refer you for care, must report abuse, believe telling your principal or parents is needed to keep someone safe, or learn of a crime that could hurt someone. A counselor must also share if a court orders it. A counselor must not tell your parents if doing so would put you in danger.

If you are not sure, you can ask first: "Before I tell you, what do you keep private?"

When should I call 911?

Call 911 if you or someone else is in danger right now. For example, if someone has hurt themselves badly, has taken something dangerous, or is about to. You can also call or text 988 while help is on the way.

If you are worried about a friend, you can contact 988 any time for help. Do not keep it a secret if their life could be in danger. Tell a trusted adult too.

Who should I save in my phone?

Who can help

These are free helplines and youth programs. Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Free and confidential, 24/7/365. Spanish: dial 988 and then press 2, or text AYUDA to 988. 988lifeline.org
• Teen Line: for teens up to 19. Call (800) 852-8336, 6 to 10 p.m., or text TEEN to 839863, 6 to 9 p.m., Pacific time. English only. teenline.org
• The Trevor Project: for LGBTQ+ young people. Call 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678678, or chat, 24/7. thetrevorproject.org
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741, or HOLA for Spanish, 24/7. crisistextline.org
• allcove San Mateo (for young people near San Mateo): ages 12 to 25. (650) 226-7030. allcove.org
• allcove Palo Alto (for young people near Palo Alto): ages 12 to 25. (650) 798-6330. allcove.org
• Other California counties: your county's mental health line is on the DHCS county list.

For parents and caring adults who are worried about a teen, see When your teen is struggling. For adult care and county mental health lines, see Mental health care without fear. For other local services, see 211: free help finding local services. In California, 211 does not cover every county.