Crisis Resources and Emergency Help
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
You do not need to know what to say. You do not need a diagnosis or a plan. You do not need to explain yourself. You just need to reach out.
National crisis lines
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 to reach a trained crisis counselor, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This line is free, confidential, and available by phone, text, or online chat.
- Crisis Text Line. Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor by text, 24 hours a day.
These lines are staffed by trained counselors, not by Harborside. They exist for exactly this moment, and using them does not commit you to anything else.
Recognizing when it's time to reach out
You do not have to wait until things feel unbearable to call. Some signs that it is time to use one of the lines above:
- Thinking about suicide or self-harm, even in a passing or vague way
- Feeling unable to cope with a situation that feels urgent right now
- A sudden change in mood, behavior, or safety in yourself or someone you care about
- Substance use that feels out of control or unsafe
- A panic or anxiety episode that will not ease on its own
If you are unsure whether what you are feeling counts, call or text 988 anyway. Counselors are trained to help you figure that out together.
What to expect when you call or text
Reaching out to a crisis line can feel like a big step, especially the first time. Knowing what happens next can make it easier to pick up the phone.
- You will reach a person. A trained counselor answers, not an automated system. You will talk with a real person who is there to listen.
- You set the pace. You can say as little or as much as you want. The counselor will ask questions to understand what is going on and what kind of support would help.
- The focus is on safety, then next steps. The counselor will focus on your immediate safety first, then talk through options for what comes next, whether that is staying on the line, connecting you to local resources, or involving emergency services if you are in immediate danger.
- Confidentiality has limits, and that is a good thing. What you share is kept confidential, with the exception of situations where your immediate safety or someone else's is at risk.
Crisis resources by state
Each state we work with also has its own crisis resources, separate from the national lines above and separate from Harborside’s scheduling line. Use the one for the state you are in.
Massachusetts
Call or text 988
Connecticut
Call or text 988
Maine
Call or text 988
New Hampshire
Call or text 988.
Rhode Island
Vermont
What Harborside can and cannot do
Harborside is a telehealth practice offering scheduled appointments for medication management and therapy. Harborside does not provide emergency, crisis, or after-hours care, and cannot respond in real time if you are in danger.
If you are a current patient and you are in crisis, do not wait for a call back from our office. Call 911 or 988, or go to your nearest emergency room. You can let your Harborside clinician know afterward, at your next scheduled contact.
How to help someone else who is in crisis
- Ask the direct question. Ask directly whether they are thinking about suicide or self-harm. Asking does not plant the idea. It can open the door to a real conversation.
- Listen without rushing to fix it. Let them talk without arguing, minimizing, or jumping straight to solutions.
- Stay with them and get them connected. If they are able, help them call or text 988 together. If they are not able to make the call, make it yourself while staying with them.
- Call 911 for immediate danger. If someone has a plan, means, and intent, or is in immediate physical danger, call 911 and stay with them until help arrives.
- Remove access where you can. If it is safe to do so, help limit access to anything that could be used for self-harm while help is on the way.
- Follow up afterward. Once the immediate crisis has passed, help them think through what comes next, whether that is a primary care visit, a therapist, or a prescriber.
Supporting someone through a crisis is hard on you too. It is reasonable to reach out to 988 or a crisis line for guidance on how to help, even if you are not the one in crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 988 free and confidential?
Yes. Calling or texting 988 is free and confidential, and it is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What happens after I call 988?
You will be connected with a trained crisis counselor who can talk through what you are experiencing and help connect you with local support if needed. You will not automatically be reported to police or hospitalized.
Can I contact Harborside instead of 988 or 911 in a crisis?
What if I am not sure whether what I am feeling counts as a crisis?
Is this page only for people who are suicidal?
What if the person in crisis does not want help?
Will calling 988 involve the police?
Can I use these resources for someone else, even if they don't know I'm calling?
Yes. You can call or text 988 for guidance on how to support someone else, even without them on the line. Counselors regularly talk with worried family members and friends.