Where to get help next
Crisis lines and free or low-cost mental health services, by country. Araam is not a replacement for care — this page is the next step.
If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department.
United States
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Crisis lineCall or text 988 to reach a trained counselor for suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or substance use.
24/7FreeCrisis Text Line
Text supportText HOME to 741741 if talking out loud feels impossible right now.
24/7FreeText HOME to 741741WebsiteSAMHSA National Helpline
DirectoryTreatment referrals and information for mental health and substance use, in English and Spanish.
24/7FreeOpen Path Collective
Low-cost therapyTherapy sessions at $40–$80 with licensed therapists, after a one-time membership fee.
Low costCommunity mental health centers
Low-cost therapyPublicly funded clinics offering sliding-scale therapy and psychiatry regardless of insurance.
Sliding scaleThe Trevor Project
YouthCrisis support built for LGBTQ+ young people — phone, chat or text.
24/7Free
United Kingdom & Ireland
Samaritans
Crisis lineSomeone to talk to, any hour, about anything that's weighing on you.
24/7FreeShout
Text supportText SHOUT to 85258 for a silent, text-only conversation with a trained volunteer.
24/7FreeText SHOUT to 85258WebsiteNHS Talking Therapies
Low-cost therapyFree CBT and counselling on the NHS in England — you can refer yourself, no GP letter needed.
FreeMind Infoline
DirectoryInformation about your rights, local services and what treatment to expect.
Free
Canada, Australia & New Zealand
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (Canada)
Crisis lineCall or text 988 anywhere in Canada, in English or French.
24/7FreeLifeline (Australia)
Crisis lineCrisis support and suicide prevention by phone, text or chat.
24/7Free1737 Need to Talk? (New Zealand)
Crisis lineFree call or text with a trained counsellor.
24/7Free
Anywhere in the world
Find a Helpline
DirectoryPick your country and get a vetted, free helpline in seconds.
FreeBefrienders Worldwide
DirectoryEmotional support centres in more than 30 countries.
FreeWHO mhGAP & local public clinics
Low-cost therapyIn most countries, primary-care clinics can start mental-health treatment or refer you onward at public prices.
Public / low cost
We review this list regularly. If a number has changed, let us know from your profile.
Before you call, this helps
Crisis lines are free
Every number on this page is free or local-rate, and most are staffed around the clock.
You do not need a diagnosis
Helplines are for anyone struggling, not only for people in immediate danger.
Low-cost therapy exists
University clinics, community centres and sliding-scale practices cost a fraction of private rates.
You can bring your data
Your test scores, mood history and sleep diary give a clinician a head start in the first session.
What actually happens when you reach out
Most people delay asking for help for years, usually because they expect judgement or a long, bureaucratic process. In practice a first helpline call lasts 10–20 minutes, the person listens more than they advise, and nothing is escalated without your consent unless there is immediate risk to life. For therapy, the strongest predictor of outcome is not the school of therapy but the working relationship — which means it is normal, and sensible, to try a second clinician if the first is not a fit.
How to find the right support
- 1
Decide the urgency: immediate danger means emergency services; distress that can wait a few hours means a helpline.
- 2
Pick your country section below and choose a service whose description matches your situation.
- 3
Write down three sentences before you call: what is happening, how long it has been going on, and what you need right now.
- 4
For ongoing therapy, ask three questions: cost per session, waiting time, and whether they work with your specific concern.
- 5
Save your chosen numbers into your personal safety plan so they are one tap away next time.
Practical notes
- ✦If speaking is hard, most services in this list also offer text or chat.
- ✦Lines are busiest in the evening; morning calls usually connect faster.
- ✦Public systems often require a referral from a family doctor — that appointment is worth booking today, even if the therapy is weeks away.
- ✦If a service cannot help you, ask them who can. Signposting is part of their job.
- ✦Keep going after the call: a helpline stabilises the moment, ongoing care changes the trajectory.
Which service fits your situation
| Situation | Where to go | Typical response |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger to life | Emergency number or hospital emergency department | Minutes |
| Acute distress or suicidal thoughts | 24/7 crisis line, phone or chat | Same call |
| Persistent low mood or anxiety | Family doctor, then referral to therapy | Days to weeks |
| Cost is the barrier | University clinic, community centre, sliding-scale therapist | Weeks |
| You need someone to talk to tonight | Listening line or peer support service | Same evening |
Araam is a self-help app and cannot provide emergency response. This table is a routing guide, not medical advice.
Common questions
Will calling a crisis line get me hospitalised?+
Almost never. Involuntary intervention is rare and reserved for immediate, serious risk to life. The overwhelming majority of calls end with a conversation and a plan for the next day.
Is it worth calling if I am not in crisis?+
Yes. Most lines explicitly welcome people who are lonely, overwhelmed or unsure. You do not need to justify your level of distress.
How do I find affordable therapy?+
Start with university training clinics, public health services and therapists who advertise sliding-scale fees. Many charge based on income, and online sessions widen your options considerably.
Can I use Araam alongside therapy?+
Yes, and it works well. Bring your mood chart, thought records and test scores to sessions — clinicians find between-session data genuinely useful.
A number on this page is wrong. What now?+
Tell us from your profile and we will correct it. We review the directory regularly, but services do change numbers and hours.