Who do I call?

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Sometimes, it’s hard to know where to turn to for help. Loved ones may not always be available or you might not be ready to share some of your concerns with them. That’s why hotlines exist. 

Below is a list of hotlines that can be used within the U.S. My blog stats show that my readership is currently almost exclusively here, so that’s who I kept in mind when I made the list. If you are wondering about getting help in another country, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can find.

Even if you think you’re okay, read through the list of numbers. They are very varied and you might find something helpful you didn’t know was out there. All numbers are listed in alphabetical order and available 24/7 unless otherwise stated.

Boys Town National Hotline (at-risk teens and kids): 800-448-3000

Bulimia and Self-Help Hotline: 314-588-1683

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453

Crisis Call Center: 800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863

Crisis Text Line (teens): Text SUPPORT to 741741

Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury (military and others affected): 866-966-1020

Depression and Bipolar Support: 800-273-8255
IMAlive chat support: www.imalive.org
Lifeline Crisis Chat: www.crisischat.org

National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information Center: 800-784-6776

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorders: 630-577-1330 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday)

National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: 802-296-6300

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence: 800-622-2255

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

National Eating Disorders Association: 800-931-2237 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday)

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism: 800-662-4357

National Institute of Mental Health Information Center: 866-615-6464 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday)

National Mental Health Association Hotline: 800-273-8255

National Runaway Safeline: 800-786-2929

National Safe Place: Text SAFE and your current location to 69866

National Suicide Hotline: 800-784-2433

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-442-4673

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 866-331-9474

Postpartum Support International: 800-944-4773

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network: 800-656-4673

Safe Horizon’s Crime Victims Hotline: 866-689-4357

Safe Horizon’s Rape Sexual Assault & Incest Hotline: 212-227-3000

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 800-662-4357

Suicide Prevention Services Depression Hotline: 630-482-9696

The Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ): 866-488-7386

Thursday’s Child National Youth Advocacy Hotline: 800-872-5437

Veteran Combat Call Center: 877-927-8387

Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255

Update: Here is a link to international suicide hotlines.

If you have any corrections or additional hotlines for the list, please leave a comment. I have not personally called each number to verify the information, so I don’t make any guarantees about them. This list is not intended to be comprehensive. 

Women's mental health concerns

Happy International Women’s Day! In honor of this worldwide celebration of women, let’s take a look at mental health issues that are of special concern to females.

Mood disorders

According to Columbia University Medical Center, women are twice as likely as men to have a mood disorder. In addition, the WHO reports that depressive disorders account for 42% of neuropsychiatric disability among women, compared to 29% of men. Mood disorders can cause serious impairment in all areas of functioning. Report any serious or unusual changes in mood to your doctor so you can be screened for mood disorders.

Female biology

Women have a host of medical concerns that don’t affect men. The menstrual cycle – both monthly and across the lifetime – can cause significant symptoms. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder became an official diagnosis is the latest psychiatric manual and menopause can trigger new mental health issues in previously healthy women. Fertility (or lack thereof) also has huge implications for mental health and there are mental health services that exist specifically to deal with these concerns.

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Postpartum conditions

The physical changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth have psychological implications as well. The most common way this is seen is with postpartum depression. For up to a year following child birth, the mother can enter a depressive state much like what is seen in major depressive disorder. This might include a focus on the child, such as obsessing over her newborn’s health or even thoughts of hurting the baby. Less common is postpartum psychosis, wherein women experience delusions and hallucinations that affect their behavior. This may require hospitalization. A final condition associated with child birth is birth-related post traumatic stress disorder. This comes from a dangerous birth experience that threatened death or serious harm for mother and/or child. For more about PTSD symptoms, read this.

Violence against women

Women are more susceptible to physical and sexual violence than men. The WHO estimates that violence against women has a lifetime prevalence rate ranging from 16-50%. They have also found that at least one in five women experience rape or attempted rape in her lifetime. Other estimates are higher. Women generally have a physical disadvantage compared to men and can also be bound by the gender roles of their societies. This leads women to be more vulnerable to dating violence, sexual assault and domestic violence. 

The unique mental health concerns facing women mean that we should pay careful attention to these areas of life. All of these issues can be addressed with appropriate intervention, but it requires getting help. Talk to your doctor or mental health professional if you believe you are struggling with any of these concerns. In the U.S., you can also call any of the following hotlines:

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: 1-800-826-3632

Postpartum Support International: 1-800-994-4773

National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: 1-802-296-6300

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255