Youth Resources
Apps
My3 - MY3 aims to keep you connected to your core network, asking you to choose three close contacts, such as friends, family, loved ones or your therapist, that you feel comfortable reaching out to whenever you feel down. In addition, MY3 helps you build your own Safety Plan, asking you to think through and list your own warning signs, coping strategies and support network, so that you can easily act when you recognize your warning signs. It includes a wealth of suicide prevention resources and contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
National Hotlines
Boys Town – Boys Town has a 24/7 national hotline and text line. They have Spanish-speaking counselors and translation services for over 140 languages. There is also a TDD line.
Crisis Text Line – The Crisis Text Line offers 24/7 emotional support and information support to teens in any type of crisis, including suicide, by trained volunteers via texting. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day.
Reachout.com – ReachOut offers peer support and mental health information to youth and young adults in a safe and supportive online space. In addition to fact sheets about depression and suicide, it offers stories about dealing with suicide issues, information on how to get help for yourself and how to help a friend, and the ReachOut blog. One can also join a forum to connect with peers for immediate support and information or use the text service ReachOut TXT to get help from trained volunteers.
Teen Line – The teen line offers peer support by teens for teens through a hotline (6–10 p.m.), a text-line (5:30–9:30 p.m.), a message board, and email. It also provides a blog, information, and resources.
Umatter – This website’s message is that everybody needs help sometimes. If you are having suicidal thoughts or are worried about someone else, don’t keep it to yourself. You Matter. You can get help. It provides information about where to get help and how to talk to someone who might be suicidal and videos from other teens.
Your Life Your Voice – This site offers four ways to get help – youth can talk counselors 24/7, they can chat Monday – Friday from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., text from 4 p.m. – 1 a.m. (CST), or send an email. There are tips on coping skills, dealing with grief, and many other important topics, a bulletin board, and videos.
Suicidal Thoughts
Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800 273-TALK (8255) – Call anytime if you’re feeling desperate, alone or hopeless. This number will route you to the crisis center nearest you.
Military Crisis Line 800 273-8255 (or text 838255) – Crisis support for current or former U.S. military personnel and their families.
Befrienders Worldwide – Find a suicide helpline in your country.
Mental Health Support
Covenant House — Nineline 800 999-9999 – A support service and 24-hour helpline for homeless youth. Deals with a wide range of issues, including bullying, suicide, basic needs, health, sex, drugs & alcohol and sex.
ReachOut 800 448-3000 – Site where teens and young adults can find the information they need, reach out, tell their stories, and voice their opinions “without fear of being judged or being different.”
Dating Abuse, Domestic Violence and Cyberstalking
Love is Respect National Dating Abuse Helpline 866 331-9474 – 24-hour helpline for teens, parents, friends and family, peer advocates. All communication is confidential and anonymous.
National Domestic Violence Hotline 800 799-SAFE (7233) or text TELLNOW to 85944 – A 24-hour hotline for any type of domestic abuse, including dating abuse and cyberstalking.
The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative – Provides counseling and technical advice to victims of nonconsensual pornography (“revenge porn”) through a 24-hour Crisis Helpline
Drug and Alcohol Issues
StartYourRecovery.org – Free, confidential tool that helps individuals take steps toward a healthy relationship with drugs and alcohol. It was developed with the input of leading clinicians, experts from the White House and SAMHSA, and people in recovery themselves.
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator (SAMHSA) – Searchable directory of drug and alcohol treatment programs shows the location of facilities around the country that treat alcoholism, alcohol abuse and drug abuse problems.
The Recovery Village - A detailed resource looking into drug and alcohol addiction by identifying various chemical addictions, as well as treatment options, support networks and various information on other mental health diagnoses that impact teens.
LGBT & Questioning & youth
The Trevor Project 866 488-7386 – Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.
Self-harm and Eating Disorders
Any mental health resource center can help in urgent cases.
HelpGuide.org – More of a resource center than an emergency response service but good information on all sorts of self-harm issues.
National Eating Disorders Association & helpline 800-931-2237
Proud2BME – An information resource and forum on eating disorders and body issues
Sexual Exploitation, Abuse or Missing Teens/kids
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) – 800 843-5678 24-hour response line for children who are missing or victims of sexual exploitation.
Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) – 800 656-HOPE More than 1,100 trained volunteers are on duty and available to help victims at RAINN-affiliated crisis centers across the country.
National Runaway Switchboard (800 RUNAWAY) – The mission of the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) is to help keep America’s runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the streets.
National Child Abuse Hotline 800 4-A-Child (800 422-4453 or text CHILDHELP to 847411 – Operates a 24/7 hotline with professional crisis counselors who, through interpreters, can provide assistance in 170 languages.
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative – Provides counseling and technical advice to victims of nonconsensual pornography (“revenge porn”) through a 24-hour Crisis Helpline (also listed unders domestic violence and dating abuse)