What happens when you text Crisis Text Line at 741741?
1. First, you’re in crisis. That doesn’t just mean suicide: it’s any painful emotion that’s getting in your way, for which you need support.
2. Next, you text us at 741741. Your opening message can say anything: "Hello," "Start," or a description of what you're feeling.
3. The first responses are automated. They tell you that you're being connected with a Crisis Counselor, and invite you to share a bit more.
4. Our service is completely free, but messaging rates apply if you’re NOT on Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, or T-Mobile.
5. About 90% of the time, it takes less than five minutes to connect you with a Crisis Counselor. It may take longer during busy times.
6. When you’ve reached a Crisis Counselor, they’ll introduce themselves, reflect on what you’ve said, and ask you to share at your own pace.
7. You’ll then text back and forth with the Crisis Counselor. You never have to share anything you don’t want to.
8. The Crisis Counselor will help you sort through your feelings by asking questions, empathizing, and actively listening.
9. The Crisis Counselor is a trained volunteer, not a professional. They can provide support, but not medical advice.
10. The goal of any conversation is to get you to a calm, safe place. Sometimes that means providing you with a referral to further help…
11. … And sometimes it just means being there and listening. A conversation usually lasts about 45 minutes.
12. If you’re in immediate danger of suicide, we may need to send you emergency services. This happens in about 1% of conversations.
13. If you’re a minor being abused by an adult whose care you are in, we may have to report the situation.
14. Otherwise, everything you tell us remains completely confidential.
15. The conversation typically ends when you and the Crisis Counselor both feel comfortable deciding that you’re in a “cool,” safe place.
16. Sometimes the conversation won’t be able to go on as long as you’d like it to...
17. This isn’t because we don’t care; it’s because we want you to be able to go out and use the coping skills and strategies we discussed.
18. You’re welcome to text back in any time that you’re in crisis again. We won’t be able to connect you to the same Crisis Counselor…
19. … but all of our Crisis Counselors are trained the same way and equally willing to provide you support.
20. After the conversation, you’ll receive an optional survey about your experience. This helps us help you and others like you!
