Caregiver Support · Crisis Resources

Crisis & Mental Health Resources for Caregivers

If you're in crisis, you're not alone — and help is available right now. These lines are free, confidential, and staffed by people who understand. You don't have to be suicidal to call. Call if you're overwhelmed, stuck, or just need to hear another voice.

These resources are for caregivers in the United States
If you are outside the U.S., please use your local emergency number or national crisis line.

Immediate danger

Call 911

Active violence, overdose, or medical emergency

Emotional crisis now

Call or text 988

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — 24/7

Prefer to text

Text HOME to 741741

Crisis Text Line — 24/7

Need local services

Call 211

Mental health referrals, respite & more

Caregiver support

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FCA, NAMI, ARCH & more

Crisis & Mental Health Resources for Caregivers

🆘 If there is immediate physical danger

Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
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‍988 is for emotional crisis and mental health emergencies. If there is active violence, a weapon, an overdose, or any immediate physical danger to yourself or someone else — call 911 first. Do not wait.For emotional crisis — thoughts of suicide, overwhelming despair, or feeling unsafe — call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). Both are free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Immediate Crisis Support

Available 24/7. You don't need to be in immediate danger to call — these lines are here for overwhelm, panic, despair, or when you just need someone who won't judge.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988

Available 24/7. Free, confidential crisis support for people experiencing mental health-related distress — including overwhelm, suicidal thoughts, or hopelessness. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org.

More ways to reach 988

Call 988 from any phone

Text 988

Online chat at 988lifeline.org/chat

Deaf / Hard of Hearing: use your preferred relay service or TTY

En español: llame al 988

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741

Available 24/7. Text-based crisis support. If you'd rather text than talk, this line connects you with a trained crisis counselor. All conversations are confidential.

More ways to reach Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 (English)

Text HOLA to 741741 (Spanish)

SAMHSA National Helpline

1-800-662-4357

Available 24/7. SAMHSA's National Helpline provides free referrals to local mental health treatment, support groups, and community services. Free and confidential, in English and Spanish.

More ways to reach SAMHSA

Call 1-800-662-4357

TTY: 1-800-487-4889

En español: 1-800-662-4357

211 — Local Mental Health & Respite Referrals

Call or text 211

Available in most states, many languages. 211 connects you with local mental health services, respite care, financial assistance, and other community resources near you. If you're not in immediate crisis but urgently need practical help — a counselor referral, a respite program, emergency childcare — 211 is often the fastest path. Also available at 211.org.

Caregiver-Specific Support

These organizations focus specifically on family caregivers. They understand the unique stress of caregiving for a child with disabilities.

Family Caregiver Alliance

1-800-445-8106

Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm PST. Caregiver helpline providing information, referrals, and emotional support for family caregivers. Website: caregiver.org

ARCH National Respite Network
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Respite care locator and caregiver support resources. Find respite services in your state, learn about funding options, and connect with local respite providers. Website: archrespite.org

Caregiver Action Network
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Education, peer support, and resources for family caregivers. Offers online support groups, educational webinars, and a resource library. Website: caregiveraction.org

Specialized Support Lines

NAMI Helpline

1-800-950-6264

Monday–Friday, 10am–10pm ET. National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline providing information, referrals, and support for people living with mental health conditions and their families.

More ways to reach NAMI

Call 1-800-950-6264

Text "NAMI" to 741741 for 24/7 crisis text support

Chat at nami.org/help

Postpartum Support International

1-800-944-4773

Not a crisis or emergency line. PSI's HelpLine operates 8am–11pm ET and is not staffed 24/7. For immediate crisis, call 988. PSI offers non-emergency support for parents experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, grief, or adjustment difficulties after a child's diagnosis. Trained volunteers return calls and messages within 24 hours. Website: postpartum.net

Veterans Crisis Line

Call 988, then press 1

Available 24/7. Crisis support specifically for veterans, service members, and their families.

More ways to reach the Veterans Crisis Line

Call 988, then press 1

Text 838255

Chat at veteranscrisisline.net

TTY: dial 711, then 988

When to Call

You don't have to be suicidal to call a crisis line. You don't even have to be in what feels like a "crisis." Call if any of these feel true right now:

You're overwhelmed and don't know who else to talk to
You're having thoughts that scare you — even if you wouldn't act on them
You need to hear another voice and don't have anyone to call
You're spiraling and need someone to help you slow down
You're questioning whether you can keep doing this
You just need someone who won't judge

These lines exist for exactly these moments. The people who answer are trained to meet you where you are — not to fix you, but to listen and help you find your next step.

Resources last reviewed April 2026. Hours and contact details are verified against official organization websites. Phone numbers and hours may change — if a line is unavailable, visit the organization's official site directly. If you are outside the U.S., please use your local emergency number or national crisis line.

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