Ask almost anyone in the mental health field what keeps them up at night, and you’ll hear some version of the same answer: there aren’t enough of us.

The United States is short on mental health professionals, and the gap isn’t closing. Millions of people can’t get the care they need because there’s no provider nearby, no appointment available for months, or no way to afford it, among other challenges. 

Since 2013, Crisis Text Line has helped address this gap by extending the capacity of the overburdened mental health system. Our trained volunteer Crisis Counselors provide free, confidential support 24/7, under the live supervision of mental health professionals, to people across the U.S., helping them navigate moments of anxiety, depression, loneliness, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and other needs.

But the impact of this model reaches much further than the conversations that happen through our service.

To better understand this impact, in 2026 we surveyed approximately 1,400 active Crisis Text Line volunteers about how volunteering has shaped their lives and the people around them. What we found points to a powerful ripple effect: volunteers are not only expanding access to crisis support—they are building skills, strengthening their connections, and helping create healthier communities.

Volunteering builds skills that extend beyond the conversation

Supporting someone through a difficult moment requires more than simply listening. Crisis Counselors learn how to build trust, communicate with empathy, navigate intense emotions, and work collaboratively with someone to identify a path forward. Those skills don’t disappear when a volunteer’s shift ends. And the benefits extend to personal well-being: 97% of volunteers say volunteering has helped them develop personal resilience.

Volunteering creates connection

At a time when loneliness and social isolation affect people across generations, volunteering can also create meaningful opportunities for connection.  Ninety-five percent of volunteers say volunteering with Crisis Text Line helps them feel more connected to other people. Seventy-six percent say it has improved their ability to meet new people and make friends.

The impact doesn’t stop when a shift ends

For every conversation a volunteer supports through our service, they help navigate nearly one additional moment of distress in their own community. 

In fact, 98% say volunteering has enabled them to support someone experiencing distress outside of their volunteer work, including family members, friends, colleagues, and classmates.

Volunteering can shape careers

For some volunteers, the experience also changes the direction of their lives. Eighty-three percent say their experience as a Crisis Counselor has influenced how they think about their education or career. And 87% say volunteering has made them want to work in a field where they can help other people. Among those volunteers, 75% are considering careers in mental health, counseling, or social work.

A ripple effect that starts with showing up

The findings from our 2026 volunteer survey reveal a dual impact at the heart of the Crisis Text Line volunteer model. Volunteers support people through some of their most difficult moments—and, in the process, build skills, resilience, and connections that strengthen how they show up for themselves and others. That impact extends to families, friendships, workplaces, schools, and communities.

Read the full U.S. report and global brief here. 

Do you have any questions for our research team? Feel free to contact them: research@crisistextline.org.