Real Support When You Need It Most
Text with licensed therapists 24/7. Not volunteers, not bots - real mental health professionals who get it. Free, confidential, and always there.
In Crisis? Need Help? Text HELP to 1-844-823-5323
Built for people who need real support, not judgment
Actually Private
Your conversations stay between you and your clinician. No tracking, no data selling, no BS. Just confidential support when you need it.
Real Therapists
Every text is answered by a licensed mental health professional with real degrees - not volunteers reading from a script.
Always Available
3am on a Tuesday? Sunday afternoon? We're here. No appointments, no waiting rooms, no office hours.
No Awkwardness
Sometimes it's easier to text than talk. Share what's really going on without the pressure of face-to-face conversation.
Getting Help is Simple
No apps to download, no accounts to create, no hoops to jump through
Text Your Keyword
Send a text with your school or community's keyword to our number. That's it - you're connected.
Talk to Someone Who Gets It
Within minutes, you'll be texting with a licensed therapist. They're trained to help with whatever you're going through.
Get Real Support
Whether you need crisis help or just someone to listen, they'll support you and connect you with resources if you need them.
Stay Anonymous
You don't have to share your name or any personal info you're not comfortable with. It's your choice what to share.
Whatever You're Dealing With
Our therapists can help with all kinds of stuff
Why We're Different
See how TextForHelp compares to other options
| Feature |   | Crisis Text Line | 988 Lifeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who Answers | Licensed Therapists | Trained Volunteers | Mix of Both |
| Wait Time | 2-5 minutes | 5-30 minutes | Varies widely |
| Conversation Quality | 95% stay connected | 60-70% completion | No data available |
| Privacy Level | No data collection | Collects usage data | Collects usage data |
| Customized for You | Yes - Local resources | Generic resources | Generic resources |
| Always Free | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No App Needed | Just text | Just text | Phone or text |
Real Stories from People Like You
See what others are saying about TextForHelp
I was having panic attacks at 2am and didn't know who to talk to. The therapist who responded actually understood what I was going through and helped me calm down. It felt like texting with someone who actually cared.
I've tried other crisis lines before but always felt like they were just reading from a script. This was different - it was a real conversation with someone who listened and gave me actual advice that helped.
In Immediate Danger?
If you or someone else is in immediate physical danger, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Interested in Bringing TextForHelp to Your Community?
Part of a comprhensive mental health support system, TextForHelp provides schools, communities, and organizations with support for their teens and reliable anonymous data for making actionable decisions.
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