Need to talk to someone? (Warmlines)
Sometimes you just need to talk to someone about your mental health. It’s great when you can reach out to a loved one—but that’s not always possible. Fortunately, warmlines are there to help!
A warmline is a phone number you call to have a conversation with someone who can provide support during hard times. Whether you’re in crisis or just need someone to talk to, a warmline can help. Warmlines are staffed by trained peers who have been through their own mental health struggles and know what it’s like to need help.
Warmlines are free and confidential. They’re different from crisis lines or hotlines like the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which are more focused on keeping you safe in the moment and getting you connected to crisis resources as quickly as possible. (That doesn’t mean you can’t call a warmline when you’re in crisis—a warmline may even be able to help you find the best place to go for crisis resources, or help you mentally prepare to seek out more formal treatment.)
If you are in crisis and a warmline can’t provide the level of support you need, you can reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or using the chat box at 988lifeline.org. You can also text “MHA” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
What to know before you call
Most states in the US have warmlines. If possible, it’s a good idea to call a warmline in your state or in another state nearby. If there’s no warmline in your state or if you feel uncomfortable calling a local line, many warmlines do accept calls from all over the country.
While many warmlines are available 24/7, some are open only on certain days and times. Please note: all times of operation are listed according to the time zones where each warmline is located. If you call a warmline in a different timezone, pay attention to the change in time.
Some warmlines have limits on the amount of time you can call. For example, they might tell you up-front that they can only speak to you for an hour. Others have unlimited time and do not stop conversations until you are ready.
When you call, they might ask for some information, like where you are calling from.
List of available warmlines and other support lines
The website warmline.org keeps an up-to-date list of local and nationwide warmlines across the United States. Click the button below to view their directory of warmlines:
(Source: mhanational.org)
