TEXT 741-741 for live support.
Millions of people are quietly suffering every day. They struggle with depression, bullying, substance abuse, relationship problems, suicidal thoughts, and much more. Many people feel like they have no one to turn to and nowhere to go. When therapy is not available at 2am, Crisis Text Line provides crisis support, 24/7, through a medium we already use and trust: text.
At The Youth Clinic, we proudly support the Crisis Text Line (CTL) because of it’s simplicity and anonymity. The CTL serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information. To talk to a live, trained Crisis Counselor, you just need to text 741-741. The live Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
Crisis Text Line FAQs
Q: WHO SHOULD TEXT IN?
A: The CTL exists to help anyone in crisis at any time.
Q: WHO ANSWERS THE TEXT MESSAGES?
A: CTL crisis counselors are both rigorously trained volunteers and employees of our crisis center partners.
Q: WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I TEXT IN?
A: You’ll receive an automated text asking you what your crisis is. Within minutes, a live trained crisis counselor will answer your text. They will help you out of your moment of crisis and work with you to create a plan to continue to feel better.
Q: IS CRISIS TEXT LINE ACTUALLY ANONYMOUS?
A: Yes. Crisis counselors only know what texters share with them, and that information stays confidential. The CTL takes your anonymity seriously.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES CRISIS TEXT LINE COST?
A: The Crisis Text Line is usually free. If your cell phone plan is with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon, texts to the short code, 741-741 are free of charge. If you have a plan with a different carrier, standard text message rates apply.
Q: HOW OFTEN CAN I CONTACT THE CRISIS TEXT LINE?
A: You can text the line whenever you are experiencing a crisis. However, you should not feel dependent on them. Crisis Text Line is not a replacement for long-term counseling, in-person therapy, or a friend.
Q: IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO REACH CRISIS TEXT LINE BESIDES TEXT?
A: Yes, you can reach CTL through Facebook Messenger. Access to message CTL is located through Facebook’s Safety checkpoint. This is accessible by flagging a user’s post.
Q: HOW ARE VOLUNTEERS TRAINED?
A: After a rigorous application process, volunteers complete a 34 hour training course over 6 weeks. This includes ongoing simulated conversations and personalized feedback from CTL experienced trainers as well as 8 hours of on-platform observation. Training content is based on best practices in crisis counseling and Crisis Text Line data.
Q: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CRISIS TEXT LINE AND THERAPY?
A: Crisis Text Line is not a replacement for therapy. Therapy includes a diagnosis made by a doctor, a treatment plan of action, and a patient/therapist relationship. Crisis Text Line helps people in moments of crisis. The crisis counselors practice active listening to help texters find calm and create an action plan for themselves to continue to feel better. Crisis Text Line’s crisis counselors are not therapists.
The Crisis Text Line is a free resource, available to anyone with a cell phone. As healthcare providers, we encourage parents to share this resource with your children and other parents, providing a safe and confidential outlet for anyone in crisis. While it’s important to remember that the CTL is not a replacement for professional therapy, it is a great option for those in need of immediate assistance.
For more information on the Crisis Text Line or professional therapy options, please contact your Youth Clinic provider at 970.267.9510.