Do you need immediate help?
If you or a loved one is in immediate danger calling 911 and talking with police may be necessary. It is important to notify the operator that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for police officers trained in crisis intervention or trained to assist people experiencing a psychiatric emergency.
Crisis Helplines
If you or a loved one is going through a tough time and needs immediate emotional support, below are several free community resources.
Your well-being matters, and there are people ready to assist.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Call or Text 988
- Chat at 988lifeline.org
- The 988 Lifeline has specially trained counselors for:
- Deaf or hard of hearing ASL users – use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
- Spanish speakers
- Veterans – dial 988 then press 1
- LGBTQI+ youth and young adults
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 800-799-SAFE (7233)
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Call 800-656 -HOPE (4673)
LGBT National Hotline
Call 888-843-4564 (limited hours)
For additional resources and hotlines, visit namivirginia.org/crisis-info/.
Additional community resources exist to help individuals and families coping with the challenges of mental illness:
Community Services Boards (CSBs) are local government agencies responsible for the delivery of community-based mental health, developmental disability, and substance use disorder services. Same-day appointments and other crisis supports are available. Find your local Virginia Community Services Board here.
Mental Health America/Virginia (MHAV) has 14 affiliates across the state working to develop services to prevent mental illness and assure the proper care and treatment of mentally ill children and adults. Find a nearby MHAV affiliate here.
The Virginia Telemental Health Initiative partners with free and charitable clinics across the state to provide free therapy services to eligible individuals who are uninsured. Find the nearest participating free clinic to ask about services.