Yes, we’re leveraging messaging apps!

1. You can reach us through WhatsApp by messaging 443-SUP-PORT or 442-AYUDAME for support in Spanish.
2. We are NOT yet available on other messaging apps, including Google Voice and TextNow. We apologize for any inconvenience and invite you to use WhatsApp if you’re unable to use regular SMS for any reason.
3. You can also reach out to us via web chat.

Our services are for people experiencing a mental health issue. Have a general inquiry? Email info@crisistextline.org.

Yes. We take your confidentiality seriously. Our volunteer Crisis Counselors only know what texters share with them, and that information stays between you, unless sharing it with emergency services is absolutely necessary for your safety and the safety of others. Check out our Terms of Service here.

Message us back with the word DELETE and we’ll scrub your data from our system.

By contacting Crisis Text Line through messaging apps (WhatsApp), users agree to the messaging app’s Terms of Service, as well as Crisis Text Line’s Terms of Service.

We are always accepting applications! Sign up here.

To become a volunteer Crisis Counselor, you must:

1. Possess a U.S. Social Security number and U.S. address in order to complete a background check (Crisis Text Line won’t see or store your SSN). The only exceptions to this include: people living in the U.S. temporarily, such as students, who do not yet have a U.S. SSN, and U.S. citizens with a U.S. SSN who are living abroad). 

2. Pass a background check as part of the 15-hours of training. If you are living in the U.S. but do not possess a U.S. SSN, you will need to reach out to admissions@crisistextline.org to request a second background check that does not require a U.S. SSN. Our partners in Canada, Ireland and the UK have similar restrictions. For more information, please check out https://www.crisistextline.org/international/. Use the links below for more information on volunteer opportunities with our partners in:

• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Ireland

3. Be at least 18 years old.

4. Have access to a private computer with a secure, reliable internet connection.

5. Commit to volunteering 4 hours per week until 200 hours are reached. Ideally, we expect you to fulfill your commitment within one year.

Our volunteer Crisis Counselors interact with texters through our secure online platform, from a personal laptop or desktop computer, during their scheduled shifts. Neither sees the other’s phone number.

We ask our volunteers to commit to volunteering 4 hours per week until 200 hours are reached. Ideally, we expect you to fulfill your commitment in one year. However, we understand that sometimes life might happen so will work to support you in meeting this commitment.

Our greatest need for volunteer Crisis Counselors is between 8pm and 4am PT (10pm and 6am ET). Before you begin as a volunteer Crisis Counselor, you’ll also complete our comprehensive, 15-hour free online mental health training. During this period, you will gain all the expertise and tools you need to successfully and empathetically navigate crisis intervention.

This Mental Health Crisis Counseling training is effective, comprehensive, and completely free for our volunteers. It costs Crisis Text Line $1,008 to train each volunteer Crisis Counselor. We believe this investment in training is critical to delivering a high-quality service, so we are always looking for volunteers who are committed to completing the entire training along with their 200-hours of volunteer service.

However, we understand that sometimes life can get in the wa,y and we will work to support you in meeting this commitment.

Our volunteer Crisis Counselors complete a 15-hour training program that includes video modules that teach specific skills like active listening and reflecting, and issues such as anxiety, stress, self-harm, suicide, depression, bullying, and LGBTQ+ issues, as well as quizzes, role plays, and observations shifts. Our training has been vetted by representatives from national organizations like American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network). Throughout the training, each individual is fully supported by a learning specialist, who will be there every step of the way to answer questions, provide feedback, and offer additional information as needed.

Training cohorts are two weeks in length, and we estimate it will take about 15 hours.  Accepted applicants should evaluate their personal commitments and needs when selecting the cohort dates that best suit their schedule.

We accept applications on a rolling basis and start new training cohorts every Wednesday. As soon as your application’s been approved, you’ll be able to enroll and get started.  We’re excited to meet you!

The short answer is YES! Crisis Text Line is an excellent volunteer opportunity for young people ages 18 and older who are just starting their journey in the mental health field and want the flexibility of virtual volunteering or those who simply wish to help others and make an impact. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to provide emotional support to those who are in crisis and need immediate help. This opportunity allows young people to gain valuable volunteer experience in mental health while also making a significant impact on the lives of those in need. In working alongside volunteers and staff who are also social workers, therapists, and psychiatrists, young people can build their network and further develop both their emotional awareness and crisis management skills, which can be useful in any future career.

You can also become a Campus Advocate and serve as an ambassador for mental health care on your campus. Last year, more than 600 students all across the country joined us to take a stand for mental health on their college or university campus.  Learn more about our Campus Advocates.

If we do not have a current agreement in place with your university, Crisis Text Line is unable to serve as a field placement for MSW and similar programs.

We cannot provide personal performance evaluations, field instruction, in-person/remote campus visits, virtual meetings/conversations, or sign any third-party documentation.

We do, however, offer letters of verification detailing the number of hours completed, number of texters supported, and give a short summary of the work you do as a volunteer Crisis Counselor. These letters of verification can be downloaded from a volunteer’s profile page on the platform at any time. Volunteers are welcome to check with their school or program to see if this letter of verification will meet their service or program requirements. When a volunteer completes 200 hours of volunteer work, they may be eligible for a Letter of Recommendation.

Our experienced, full-time staff of supervisors oversee and assist our volunteers on the platform. They are there to support each volunteer during every single conversation they have with a texter. 

You can read our volunteer Crisis Counselor policies and guidelines here.

You can see the issues we track at www.crisistrends.org. If you’re a researcher or practitioner with interest in another issue, submit your suggestion in the form at the bottom of www.crisistrends.org.

Visit our Open Data Collaborations page to learn more.

Loris.ai is a mission-driven enterprise teaching people to have more empathy, cultural competency, and hard conversations.

Back in 2018-2022, Loris.ai used insights from Crisis Text Line’s training and de-escalation techniques to improve wellbeing in the high anxiety industry of customer service. 

We believed that this organization could increase our sustainability and promote the public good of putting greater empathy in the world. However, we decided to exit the relationship entirely, with no financial gain and requiring that Loris.ai return or delete any and all data from Crisis Text Line. 

Crisis Text Line has no current relationship of any kind with Loris.ai.

Loris.ai had not accessed any Crisis Text Line data since the beginning of 2020. 

Crisis Text Line did not share personally identifiable data with Loris.ai.

Loris.ai has their own independent leadership team including having their own CEO since August 2019. 

At Crisis Text Line, we rigorously safeguard texter information through encryption, access control, intrusion detection, and other precautionary methods to ensure texters feel safe and secure. 

Crisis Text Line has never monetized personally identifiable information, directly or with any third-party organizations.

Yes, we are! Here are our latest financials.

Our EIN is 46-5039599

We receive funding from a variety of sources including from foundations, individuals, corporations and the government. It’s important to us that a high quality service is free and accessible to anyone who needs it.

You can find it here.

You can donate online here, or by sending a check to:

Crisis Text Line
P.O. Box 24163
New York, NY 10087

Please make your check out to “Crisis Text Line” and mail the check to our P.O. Box. We check our mail weekly and will send you an acknowledgment letter once your check is received.

Learn more about how to support our work here. Have questions? Feel free to reach out directly to our team at development@crisistextline.org.

Yes! Upon receiving your donation, we’ll send you a thank-you letter that clarifies your donation is tax deductible.

We partner with corporations, nonprofits, government and colleges and universities. Want to partner with us? Fill out this form!

Crisis Text Line partners with brands in creative, meaningful ways to expand access to mental health support. Together, we drive impact through sponsorships, cause marketing, employee education and digital campaigns. We also collaborate on social platforms to raise awareness and encourage people to seek support when they need it most.

Absolutely. Here you will find a variety of resources to help you spread the word about our critical service.

Email press@crisistextline.org. We encourage you to check out our press page first!