Our Crisis Centers

Our Crisis Centers

Our Crisis Centers Learn more about our network of crisis contact centers and what you can do to support them. Find your local crisis center. What is a Crisis Center? Crisis centers answer 988 Lifeline calls, texts, and chats. They provide local care with national support. A crisis center is a resource for individuals in need of mental health support. They provide mental health services and emotional support for their state or local communities. Most crisis centers are non-profit and many utilize trained volunteers as well as mental health professionals. Your local crisis center usually serves your entire community, often 24/7 and free of charge. These centers connect callers to providers in their community that can support their needs. Crisis centers answer calls, texts, chats for the 988 Lifeline, as well as local helplines and other resources such mobile services. Crisis centers also provide training and educational resources on suicide prevention and mental wellness. They are also a resource for mental health professionals seeking advice on best practices. All of the services a crisis center offers strengthen their local community and the state as a whole. How do I find my local crisis center? All of our crisis centers within the U.S. and U.S. territories can be found in the Crisis Centers by State and U.S. Territory listing. Crisis Centers by State and U.S. Territory Crisis Centers Support the 988 Lifeline The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is made up of an expansive network of over 200 local – and state–funded crisis contact centers located across the United States and its territories. The counselors at these local crisis centers answer calls, chats, and texts from people in emotional distress that the 988 Lifeline receives daily. The 988 Lifeline’s crisis centers provide the specialized care of a local community with the support of a national network. The 988 Lifeline’s united network provides at-risk individuals across the country with a single, well-known phone number and name. This unity enables the 988 Lifeline to assure that centers are accredited, provide training for counselors, and disseminate standards and best practices. Calls to the 988 Lifeline are routed to their local center. Local counselors at crisis centers are familiar with community mental health resources, and can therefore provide referrals to local services. Why Crisis Centers Need Your Help The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is an effective, life-saving safety net for those experiencing mental health crises, as shown by research. Although the 988 Lifeline is a national program, the funds that sustain the network’s crisis centers come from state and local contributors. Many of the crisis centers in our network require more funding and resources in order to continue operating and growing. Crisis centers are a key component of mental healthcare within each county and state across the United States. The centers act as a safety net for those at serious risk, especially those with nowhere else to turn. Our Crisis Center Network How To Support a Crisis Center There are many ways to support the crisis centers in our network. First, find the 988 Lifeline crisis center nearest to you. Crisis Centers by State and U.S. Territory Donate Interested in donating to your local crisis center directly? Go to their website or contact your nearest 988 Lifeline crisis center directly and see how you can contribute. Volunteer Many 988 Lifeline centers have volunteer opportunities, and a number of them depend largely on volunteer help. Reach out directly to your local crisis center and ask them how you can help. Advocate for Them If you have been helped by a crisis center or know someone who has, you know how important they can be to people in your community. Let your crisis center know how you appreciate them, and ask how your voice can assist them in advocating for more funds and resources to continue growing and serving your community. Organize A Fundraiser Organize a fundraiser in your community to help support your local crisis center and donate a percentage or all of the proceeds. Contact your local 988 Lifeline center and see how your event might benefit their work, and make it happen! Participate On Social Media While not all crisis centers in our network have a social media presence, you can still help educate the public online about how important crisis centers are and ways to support them.