Crisis Resources
You Don't Have to Face This Alone
If you're in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room
Having thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or harming others requires immediate support. These resources are available 24/7, free, and confidential.
Immediate Crisis Support
Available Right Now, 24/7
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text: 988
- • Free, confidential, 24/7
- • Trained crisis counselors
- • Available in English and Spanish
- • Veterans press 1
- • LGBTQ+ under 25: Text START to 678-678
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
- • Free, 24/7 text support
- • Trained crisis counselors
- • Anonymous and confidential
- • Available throughout US
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- • Treatment referral and information
- • 24/7, 365 days a year
- • English and Spanish
Perinatal Crisis Support
Specialized Help for Pregnancy & Postpartum
Postpartum Support International Helpline
📞 1-800-944-4773
(1-800-POSTPARTUM)
💬 Text Support
503-894-9453 (English)
971-420-0294 (Spanish)
- • Specialized perinatal mental health support
- • "Warm line" for non-crisis support
- • Resources and referrals
- • Understanding of postpartum issues
Postpartum Crisis Warning Signs:
- • Thoughts of harming yourself or baby
- • Hearing voices or seeing things
- • Feeling baby would be better off without you
- • Confusion or rapid mood swings
- • Unable to care for baby or yourself
These require immediate help - Call 988 or 911
Chicago-Specific Crisis Resources
Local Emergency Support
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Emergency
📍 Address: 251 E Huron St, Chicago
📞 Phone: 312-926-2000
- • 24/7 psychiatric emergency services
- • Specialized women's mental health
Rush University Medical Center
📍 Address: 1653 W Congress Pkwy, Chicago
📞 Phone: 312-942-5000
- • Emergency psychiatric services
- • Perinatal psychiatry program
Crisis Prevention & Response - City of Chicago
📞 Phone: 312-747-1324
- • Mobile crisis response
- • Mental health emergency assistance
- • Connection to local resources
Domestic Violence Resources
Safety and Support
National Domestic Violence Hotline
📞 Call: 1-800-799-7233
💬 Text: START to 88788
💻 Chat: thehotline.org (live chat)
- • 24/7 confidential support
- • Safety planning
- • Local resource connections
Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women's Network
📞 Call: 1-877-863-6338
- • Chicago-specific resources
- • Emergency shelter assistance
- • Legal advocacy
Safety Planning:
- • Have important documents ready
- • Keep phone charged
- • Know safe places to go
- • Have code word with friends
- • Trust your instincts
Substance Use Crisis
Immediate Help for Substance Issues
SAMHSA National Helpline
📞 Call: 1-800-662-4357
- • 24/7 treatment referral
- • Information service
- • Free and confidential
Illinois Helpline for Opioids
📞 Call: 1-833-234-6343
💬 Text: HELP to 833234
- • Opioid-specific support
- • Naloxone information
- • Treatment resources
LGBTQ+ Crisis Support
Specialized LGBTQ+ Resources
Trevor Lifeline (Under 25)
📞 Call: 1-866-488-7386
💬 Text: START to 678-678
- • 24/7 crisis support
- • LGBTQ+ specialized
- • Youth focused
Trans Lifeline
📞 Call: 877-565-8860
- • By and for trans people
- • Available 24/7
- • Peer support
When to Seek Emergency Help
Recognizing Crisis Situations
Call 911 or Go to ER If:
- • Active plan to harm yourself or others
- • Hearing voices commanding harm
- • Unable to care for basic needs
- • Severe confusion or disorientation
- • Overdose or substance emergency
- • Uncontrollable panic lasting hours
Call Crisis Line If:
- • Having suicidal thoughts without plan
- • Feeling overwhelmed and need support
- • Experienced trauma and need to talk
- • Supporting someone in crisis
- • Need resources and referrals
Supporting Someone in Crisis
How to Help Others
Do:
- • Take all threats seriously
- • Listen without judgment
- • Stay with them if possible
- • Help them call crisis line
- • Remove means of harm
- • Get professional help
Say:
- • "I'm here for you"
- • "You matter to me"
- • "Let's get help together"
- • "You're not alone"
Don't:
- • Promise to keep secrets about safety
- • Try to handle it alone
- • Minimize their feelings
- • Argue or debate
- • Leave them alone if actively suicidal
After the Crisis
Continuing Support
Follow-Up Care:
- • Schedule therapy appointment
- • Create safety plan
- • Build support network
- • Remove/secure means of harm
- • Consider intensive programs
Safety Planning Includes:
- • Warning signs to watch
- • Coping strategies
- • People to contact
- • Professional contacts
- • Making environment safe
- • Reasons for living
Non-Crisis Support
When You Need Help But Not Emergency
KMH Counseling
- • Next-day appointments often available
- • Crisis prioritization
- • Safety planning in therapy
- • Ongoing support
Not Sure If It's Crisis?
When in doubt, reach out. It's better to get help than to wait.