The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With more than 130 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.

Para obtener asistencia en español durante las 24 horas, llame al 1-888-628-9454.

Para información en español haga clic aquí.

Why should I call the Lifeline?

From immediate suicidal crisis to information about mental health, crisis centers in our network are equiped to take a wide range of calls. Some of the reasons to call 1-800-273-TALK are listed below.

• Call to speak with someone who cares
• Call if you feel you might be in danger of hurting yourself
• Call to find referrals to mental health services in your area
• Call to speak to a crisis worker about someone you're concerned about
• Find out more

Lifeline in New YouTube Abuse and Safety Center

December 12, 2008 - The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has partnered with YouTube to offer suicide prevention resources to the YouTube online community. Lifeline content on the new YouTube Abuse and Safety Center includes information on what to do if someone on YouTube may be at risk of suicide or if someone posts harmful messages about suicide on the site. Also posted are the Lifeline number, a PSA and a link to the Lifeline channel where one can find suicide warning signs.

Lifeline Network Answers Over 1 Million Calls!

November 17, 2008 - The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network of more than 130 crisis centers has answered its one millionth call since the hotline was launched on Jan. 1, 2005. "The Lifeline reached this significant milestone because more people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis are becoming aware that help is available just by picking up the telephone and dialing 1-800-273-TALK," said the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's acting administrator, Eric Broderick, D.D.S, M.P.H. To read the SAMHSA press release about this milestone click here.

Lifeline Gallery Launch (www.lifelinegallery.org)

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has launched its most exciting project to date-Lifeline Gallery: Stories of Hope and Recovery-with the help of Oddcast, SPAN USA, Active Minds, and a generous donation from Simpsons' producer James L. Brooks. The Lifeline Gallery (www.lifelinegallery.org) uses speaking avatar products to enable suicide survivors, attempt survivors, and suicide prevention supporters to share their stories of hope and recovery. The compilation of stories illustrates the many ways in which suicide affects others and offers comfort to those who may be suffering alone. Please visit the Lifeline Gallery to hear the stories, share your own and help the Lifeline prevent suicide.

Now Accepting Nominations for Steering and Subcommittees

The Lifeline is now accepting nominations for its Steering Committee, Standards, Training and Practices Subcommittee and Consumer/Survivor Subcommittee. The Lifeline first established these consulting bodies three years ago, with three intentions: a) obtaining valuable, continuing feedback b) sharing information about the Lifeline with related organizations; and c) encouraging community ownership of this national project to prevent suicide. The Lifeline is inviting nominations for all three consulting bodies via an online nomination process beginning on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 and ending Wednesday, July 9th, 2008. For more information on the nomination process please click here.

Veterans Affairs Suicide Hotline Begins

To ensure veterans with emotional crises have round-the-clock access to trained professionals, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun operation of a national suicide prevention hotline for veterans. To operate the national hotline, VA is partnering with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to reach the VA hotline, which will be staffed by mental health professionals in Canandaigua, N.Y. who will work closely with local VA mental health providers to help callers.

1-800-SUICIDE Announcement

Callers to 800-SUICIDE are now being helped through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's network of more than 130 crisis centers across the nation, the same network that responds to 800-273-TALK callers in crisis. For more information about how 800-SUICIDE callers are being efficiently assisted through this network, read our FAQs Regarding 1-800-SUICIDE.