Last Updated: March 1, 2025
Your privacy is our priority. We provide mental health support while maintaining the highest standards of data protection and confidentiality.
Who we are
Suggested text: Our website address is: https://www.textforhelp.app.
Overview
At TextForHelp, we prioritize your privacy and the confidentiality of your data. Our services are designed to provide immediate mental health support without compromising your personal information.
This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding the collection, use, and protection of your information when you use our website and text-based crisis support services.
Information We Don’t Collect
TextForHelp is committed to providing mental health support with minimal data collection. We do not:
- Collect personally identifiable information through our website
- Track your browsing behavior across other websites
- Store identifiable data from users of our text line
- Sell or share your information with third parties for marketing purposes
- Maintain databases of user conversations or personal details
Website Data Usage
Our website may use the following limited data technologies:
- Local Storage: We may use browser local storage to save your preferences (such as dark/light mode) and, if you use our web-based chat service, to maintain conversation continuity. This data is stored only on your device and is not transmitted to our servers.
- Essential Cookies: We use cookies only for essential website functionality, such as maintaining your session when logged in to access certain features.
- Anonymous Analytics: We collect anonymous, aggregated usage statistics to help us understand how visitors interact with our website, which helps us improve our services. This data cannot be used to identify you personally.
Communications
If you choose to contact us through the following channels, please be aware of how your information is handled:
- Email Contact: When you email us, your message and email address may be stored in our email client application for the purpose of responding to your inquiry. We retain these communications only as long as necessary to address your questions or concerns.
- Text Crisis Line: When you use our crisis text line, we do not store your phone number or the content of your conversations after the session ends. During the conversation, this information is accessible only to the licensed clinician assisting you.
- Contact Form: Information submitted through our website contact form is transmitted via encrypted connection and temporarily stored only for the purpose of responding to your inquiry.
Security Measures
TextForHelp employs industry-standard security measures to protect any information that is temporarily in our possession:
- All communications between your browser and our website are encrypted using SSL technology
- Though SMS texts are inherently insecure, actual conversations are conducted through secure, encrypted applications
- We regularly review our systems and practices to ensure they meet current security standards
- Access to any temporarily stored information is strictly limited to authorized personnel who require it to perform their duties
Third-Party Services
Our website may include links to third-party websites or services that are not operated by us. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you may access through our website.
Children’s Privacy
Our services are available to individuals in crisis, including minors. We take additional precautions to protect the privacy of young people seeking support:
- We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 18 through our website
- When providing crisis support to minors via text, our clinicians follow all applicable laws regarding mandated reporting while maintaining maximum confidentiality
- We do not require age verification to access our crisis support services, as this could create barriers to receiving help
Legal Disclosure Exceptions
While we are committed to protecting your privacy, there are limited circumstances where we may be required to disclose information:
- To comply with a legal obligation, such as a court order or valid legal process
- When necessary to protect someone from imminent harm (such as in cases of suicide risk or threats to others)
- To protect the rights, property, or safety of TextForHelp, our users, or the public
In such cases, we disclose only the minimum information necessary and make reasonable efforts to notify affected individuals when possible and legally permissible.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date.
You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
By email: privacy@textforhelp.app