For Urgent Help: Contact a Helpline
If you or a child you know is in immediate crisis, please reach out to one of the following helplines. They are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
- United States:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988. This service connects you to a trained counsellor for emotional support and crisis counseling.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741. This provides free, 24/7 crisis counselling via text message.
- India:
- Tele MANAS: Call 14416 or 1-800-891-4416. This is a free, government-initiated mental health support service available 24/7.
- iCALL Psychosocial Helpline: Call +91-9152987821. This service is run by the TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences) and offers professional counseling.
- United Kingdom:
- Childline: Call 0800 1111. This is a free, confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19.
- Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258. This is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for people in crisis.
- Australia:
- Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800. This provides free, private, and confidential phone and online counseling for young people aged 5 to 25.
- Lifeline: Call 13 11 14. This is a 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service.
- Canada:
- Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868. This is Canada’s only 24/7, e-mental health service for young people.
- 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988. This service is for anyone in Canada who is struggling with thoughts of suicide.
- South Africa:
- Childline South Africa: Call 116 (free from any cellphone or landline). This is a 24-hour national telephone counseling service for children and adults concerned about children.
- SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group): Call 0800 567 567 or their Suicide Crisis Line at 0800 21 22 23. They provide a variety of helplines for different needs, including suicide prevention.
- Ireland:
- Childline: Call 1800 66 66 66. This is a free, confidential 24/7 service for children and young people up to the age of 18.
- Pieta House: Call 1800 247 247. This service specializes in suicide and self-harm prevention.
- New Zealand:
- Youthline: Free call 0800 376 633 or free text 234. They offer 24/7 support for young people and those who support them (like parents and caregivers).
- 1737 – Need to Talk?: Free call or text 1737. This is a free, 24/7 service for anyone in New Zealand feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just needs to talk.
- Pakistan:
- Umang Helpline: Call 0311-7786264. This is a 24/7 mental health helpline.
- Rozan Counseling Helpline: Call 0304-111-1741. They provide a confidential space for young people, women, and children.
- Philippines:
- National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline: Call 1553 (from a landline) or 0917-899-8727 (from a cellphone). This is a free, 24/7 crisis service.
- Bantay Bata 163: Call 163. This is a helpline specifically for child protection and welfare.
- Nigeria:
- Nigerian Mental Health Helpline: While a single national number is not widely available, the organization Nigerian Mental Health can be contacted via email or their website to be connected with a professional. Their email is [email protected]. This can be a useful resource for finding local support.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that helpline services and numbers may change. It is always a good practice to verify the numbers on the organization’s official website.
Last updated: 11 September 2025.