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.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org) may be an alternate solution. If the caller is in danger, it is possible that 988 will call for emergency services like police or fire rescue.  Â
Crisis Helplines
If you or someone you know needs immediate emotional support, below are several free community resources. Your well-being matters, and there are people ready to assist.
General crisis lines offering mental health support (some available in Spanish):
- NAMI Helpline Â
- Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)Â
- Text NAMI to 62640Â
- Crisis text line – available 24/7Â
- Text HOME or HOLA to 741741Â
- Chat online here / Habla en lÃnea aquÃÂ Â
- Mental Health Virginia Peer Run Warm Line & Live ChatÂ
- Call/text 866-400-6428Â Â
- Click here to access the live online chat
- Haga clic aquà para acceder al chat en vivo e información en español
Crisis lines for specific populations:
- Trevor Project Crisis Support – 1-877-565-8860 – available 24/7Â
- Trans Lifeline – 1-877-565-8860Â
- LGBT National Help Center – 1-888-843-4564Â
- Call Blackline – 1-800-604-5841Â
- Thrive Lifeline – 1-313-662-8209 – available 24/7Â
Crisis line for individuals who are experiencing sexual, domestic violence or abuse:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) – available 24/7Â
- National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) – available 24/7Â
- StrongHearts Native Helpline – 1-844-7-NATIVE (8483) – available 24/7Â
- This hotline is for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering culturally appropriate support and advocacy.Â
Crisis hotline for individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, and late-deafened individuals and their families:
- DeafLEAD – Videophone: 321-800-3323 – available 24/7Â
A 24/7 helpline for veterans:
A 24/7 helpline for substance abuse and mental health support:Â
- SAMHSA National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Â
Crisis hotlines offering support to youth:
- Teen Line Â
- Call 1-310-855-HOPE (4673) orÂ
- Call 1-800-852-TEEN (8336) orÂ
- Text TEEN to 839863Â
- National Runaway Safeline – 1-800-786-2929 – available 24/7Â
- The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline – 1-800-422-4453Â
For additional resources and hotlines, visit namivirginia.org/crisis-info/.
Below are additional community resources exist to help individuals and families coping with the challenges of mental illness.
Community Services Boards (CSBs) are local government agencies that help community members with their mental health, developmental disability, and substance use disorder services. Same-day appointments and other crisis help are available. 
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. 
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.