Text Chat Lines
The LifeLine Canada Foundation is not a crisis hotline. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 immediately. See our directory of mental health crisis support in your area.
Sometimes it is easier to open up and seek support via text, where one can compose their thoughts and get things “on paper” to help sort out the issues and the questions that require answers and support. Text Chat Line support is also ideal when one wishes to have a record of advice and a place you can go back to and look at the words of support over again. Below are some Crisis Text chat lines for Canada, the USA, The United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Canada
Kids Help Phone Crisis Text Line
This is a free, 24/7 texting service is accessible immediately to youth anywhere in Canada by texting CONNECT to 686868 to reach an English speaking Crisis Responder and PARLER to 686868 to reach a French-speaking Crisis Responder on any text/SMS enabled cell phone.
Connecteen (Youth in Alberta)
Talk on your terms. If you need support, we’re here for you. If you’re worried about someone overhearing you, or it’s too hard to say out loud, you can write it down in chat, email or text. Text 587-333-2724 (Monday to Friday, from 3pm – 10pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm)
YouthSpace (30 Years of Age and Under)
Youthspace.ca is made up of a community of volunteers who are here to support you – whatever you are going through. Text 778-783-0177 (6pm – 12am PST)
United States
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Formerly National Suicide Prevention Hotline)
Text 988 (24/7 from Anywhere in the USA)
Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service (Finger Lakes, New York)
Mondays through Fridays from 6 to 9 pm for free and confidential crisis counseling. Emotional problems, big or small, they will listen without judgement and help you find your own best solution.
Crisis Text Line
Text MATTERS to 741741. Daily 24 hours a day
Now Matters
Text VOICE to 20121 Daily from 4pm to 1am CST
Teen Line
Text TEEN 839863 Daily from 6pm-9pm PST
TrevorLine
Text “Trevor” to 1-202-304-1200. Available Tuesday-Friday between 3pm – 9pm EST/12pm – 6pm PT
United Kingdom
HOPELineUK
HOPELineUK is a confidential support and advice service for young people under the age of 35 who may be having thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned a young person may be having thoughts of suicide. Text 07786 20 96 97
Samaritans
Samaritans are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Text 07725 90 90 90
New Zealand
The Lowdown
Sometimes life’s ups and downs are more than just the usual ups and downs.
If you’re stuck feeling bad they will help you figure out if it could be anxiety or depression. Whatever’s going on you’ll find ideas and people who can help you get unstuck. Text 5626