Hotline List
Need help NOW?! Don't wait, check out our list of National Hotlines!
Worried about a friend? Dealing with some issues of your own? Contact one of the organizations below. We have called each one of these lines and spoken to some pretty great people that are ready to help pretty much anybody. Hotlines are designed to help you handle any type of crisis. They can offer support or guidance when you need it most. All chats are anonymous and confidential.
*Just remember: If you have a serious emergency, always call 911 or the police first!
Teen Dating Abuse
National Teen Dating Abuse 24-hour Helpline: 1-866-331-9474
Break The Cycle's Teen Helpline:1-888-988-8336
Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
USA National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453
National Domestic Violence/Child Abuse/Sexual Abuse: 1-800-799-7233
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
All four of these lines are national numbers. Trust us, these people can really help you if you are being abused in any way.
General
The Covenant House: 1-800-999-9999
What happened when we called: These guys are for real! The crisis counselor told me to call back even just to talk about the good stuff going on in my life! Don't worry if you are a phone-a-phobe, you can always submit a question to one of their counselors online. Check out their website at www.covenanthouse.org.
About them: They are there to help on everything, but especially to provide shelter and other services to homeless, runaway and throwaway youth.
Depression and Suicide
Girls and Boys Town: 1-800-448-3000
What happened when we called: These people are here to help anyone, anytime. They are so good at what they do and they told us that about 250,000 people call them annually. They were so nice, it's no wonder so many people call them for help.
About them: This is a national hotline free for people calling from anywhere in the US and Canada. They are here to help anyone who is depressed, contemplating suicide, being physically or sexually abused, on the run, addicted, threatened by gang violence, fighting with a parent, a parent frustrated by your child, scared of your spouse or faced with an overwhelming challenge. They have been around for over 90 years.
National Hopeline: 1-800-442-HOPE (1-800-442-4673)
What happened when we called: Very helpful and although this hotline is geared to responding to suicide callers, they can help you address any issues that you might have.
About them: This is the generic access to the National Hopeline Network which is used for schools and other organizations who do not want to use a hotline with the word "suicide" in it. It is identical to 1-800-SUICIDE. They get about 50,000 calls a year. To learn more, check out their website at www.hopeline.com.
Suicide Hotlines (National): 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
What happened when we called: Same folks answered this line that answered the 1-800-442-HOPE line. We love these guys. We didn't have to wait at all. We talked to a crisis counselor and she really seemed like a person who knows what she is doing. (Note: This hotline is no more for teenagers than 442-HOPE, Boystown, the Nine Line or 273-TALK. It is answered by adults as are 95% of all hotlines in the US.)
About them: This is the National Hope Network. The hotline is for teenagers who might be depressed or thinking about suicide. To learn more, check out their website at www.hopeline.com.
Teen Line: 1-877-YOUTHLINE (1-877-968-8454)
About them: This hotline is answered by teen peer counselors 3pm-9pm EST, CST, MST, and PST. To learn more, visit www.youthline.us.
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention (EDAP): 1-800-931-2237
What happened when we called : I got through to a person but it seemed they're just there to answer any questions on eating disorders and give information about treatment centers near you. I liked them; they seemed friendly and ready to help.
About them: They're there from 8:30am to 4:30pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. They're there to answer your questions and give any information related to eating disorders, and give nationwide referrals to treatment centers. And, they're free for people calling from the US and Canada. Check out their website at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.
Support for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Youth
The Trevor Helpline: 1-800-850-8078
What happened when we called: I was on hold for a while, but once I got to speak to a counselor, I was assured that s/he could offer advice for teens questioning their sexuality. Counselors are also trained to respond to suicide calls. They are there twenty hours a day, seven days a week.
About them: The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock suicide prevention helpline for gay and questioning youth. To know more visit their website at www.thetrevorproject.org/.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) National Youth Talk line: 1-800-246-7743
What happened when we called: The counselor who I got through was so nice, and in his early 20s so he could relate. It was like talking to a friend. He said that everyone who works there are teens or in their early twenties. And they are there to talk about anything. The only bad thing I found is that they are not available twenty four hours a day, but otherwise they are very helpful.
About them: This is a line where people under 25 can talk to other people of the same age about coming-out issues, relationship concerns, parent issues, school problems, HIV/AIDS anxiety and safer-sex information, and lots more!
Runaways
National Runway Switchboard: 1-800-runaway (1-800-786-2929)
What Happened when we called: These guys are just fabulous. They were so nice to talk to and great at what they do. They're there to help so don't hesitate to call!
About Them: This is a national hotline available all day to help someone who is thinking about (or already has) runaway.
Reproductive Health
America's Pregnancy Helpline: 1-888-467-8466
What happened when we called: If you have questions about getting pregnant or need access to pregnancy prevention, or any question at all related to pregnancy, these are the people to call. But they are not available all day.
About Them: American Pregnancy Hotline is the place to ask any questions related to pregnancy. They are available during these times: 7am-10pm from Monday - Thursday; 7:00am-7:30 pm on Friday; and 9:00am- 5:00 Saturdays and Sundays. You can visit their website to learn more about pregnancy at www.thehelpline.org.
Planned Parenthood: 1-800-230-PLAN(7526)
What happened when we called: They transferred me to the local Planned Parenthood branch. Then it gave me an automated option list to figure out who I should talk to depending on my need.
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