Resources for emotional support and well-being
Last updated February 2, 2023 at 10:29 AM
24-hour help
For the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call 800‑273‑8255 or text 838255
For the Domestic Violence Hotline, 800‑799‑7233 or click Chat Now
Call 911 if you or the person you are helping is in immediate danger.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. While it’s important to take the pandemic seriously, it’s not good to be on high alert all the time. You may still feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, depressed, lonely or frustrated because of it. You’re not alone.
On this page:
- Crisis hotlines
- Behavioral and mental health services
- Hotlines if you feel unsafe
- Hotlines to help others
- Strategies for managing stress
Crisis hotlines
If you are feeling overwhelmed with sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800‑273‑8255.
There are additional resources available if you are in crisis:
- Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 800‑985‑5990 for 24/7 support.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support.
- California Suicide & Crisis Hotlines: Find phone numbers and links to all the suicide and crisis hotlines by county in California.
- CalHOPE Peer-Run Warm Line: Call 833‑317‑HOPE (4673) 24/7 for non-emergency support specific to COVID-19 stressors.
- California Warm Peer Line: Call 855‑845‑7415 for 24/7 for non-emergency support to talk to a peer counselor with lived experience.
Youth and teens
- California Youth Crisis Line: Youth ages 12-24 can call or text 800‑843‑5200 or chat online for 24/7 crisis support.
- TEEN LINE: Teens can talk to another teen by texting “TEEN” to 839863 from 6pm – 9pm, or call 800‑852‑8336 from 6pm – 10pm.
Veterans
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 800‑273‑8255 and Press 1 or text 838255 for 24/7 support.
First responders and law enforcement
- Fire/EMS helpline: Call 888‑731-FIRE (3473) to find 24/7 support for a variety of behavioral health issues for firefighters.
- COPLINE: Call 800‑267‑5463 to find support 24/7 for law enforcement officers.
Older Californians
- Friendship Line: Call 888‑670‑1360 for 24/7 support if you are 60 years or older, or an adult living with disabilities.
- California Aging and Adult Information Line: Call 800‑510‑2020 for help finding local assistance.
Deaf and hard of hearing individuals
National Suicide Prevention Deaf and Hard of Hearing Hotline: Access 24/7 video relay service by dialing 800‑273‑8255 (TTY 800‑799‑4889).
Services for substance use disorders
- SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 800‑662‑HELP for 24/7 information and referrals in English and Spanish.
- SAMHSA Treatment Locator Find drug or alcohol treatment programs.
LGBTQ individuals
- Trevor Project: Call 866‑488‑7386 or text START to 678678 for 24/7 information and suicide prevention resources for LGBTQ youth.
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: Call 800‑273‑8255 from 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM for support, information or help finding resources.
- Victims of Crime Resource Center: Call or text 800‑842‑8467 or chat online for information about LGTBQ rights, legal protections, and local resources.
Behavioral and mental health services
If you have Medi-Cal, you can call the number on your membership card for mental health services. You can also call your local county mental health line. To find out what services are covered, call the Medi-Cal Managed Care and Mental Health Office of the Ombudsman at 888‑452‑8609. They are available Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm.
If you have a health plan through your employer or buy your own health insurance, you can call the number on your membership card. Your plan provider will help you find mental health services.
If you feel like you are coping with your stress by drinking or taking drugs, you can get help from county substance use programs. You can also call the national treatment locator at 800‑662‑HELP.
Older adults can find local services through the Department of Aging’s website, or by calling 800‑510‑2020.
Hotlines if you feel unsafe
Partner abuse is never okay. There are people standing by to help, especially during this health crisis. If you can, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800‑799‑SAFE or text LOVEIS to 22522 for 24/7 help in English or Spanish. If you can’t call, visit TheHotline.org to learn how to create a safety plan or get immediate help with the 24/7 “Chat Now” feature.
Call or text the Victims of Crime Resource Center at 800‑VICTIMS line for information on victim services programs in California.
Visit the California Victims Compensation Board website to find information on county victim service providers in California.
There are additional resources available:
- California Partnership to End Domestic Violence: Call 916‑444‑7163 Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 5:30pm for assistance finding local programs.
- Safety planning guide: Use this guide to help with safety planning if you are a survivor of intimate partner violence.
- Domestic Violence Service Providers list: Find information about programs across the state.
- Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Victim Service Provider List: Use this list to find local resources if you are a victim of sexual assault or human trafficking.
Hotlines to help others
Protecting children from abuse and neglect
Community members play an important role in protecting children from abuse and neglect. If you are worried about the health or safety of a child, call the local CPS hotline for the county where the child lives or find a local child abuse youth victim service provider.
You can call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 24/7 at 800‑4‑A‑CHILD to speak with a crisis counselor who can provide help in over 170 languages.
You may also be able to help children and youth who have been abused or neglected by serving as a foster caregiver. Please contact your local county’s Social Service or Human Service department, or call the toll-free line at 800‑KIDS‑4‑US.
Family support
If you are concerned about a family in need of food or assistance, or you need resources yourself, you can:
- Call 211
- Contact your local non-profit Family Resource Center, or
- Apply for public benefits through your county’s Social Services or Health and Human Services department. These benefits may include health care, cash aid, and food and nutrition help.
Parents, caregivers, children, and youth up to the age of 25 can receive support at the California Parent & Youth Helpline. Call or text 855‑427‑2736 to speak to caring and trained counselors. Live chatting is also available on their website. You can also join a free online Evidence-Based Weekly Parents Anonymous® group. Find other resources to support your empowerment journey and strengthen your family on their website.
NAMI California has resources for family members supporting loved ones with mental health conditions. You can call their HelpLine at 800‑950‑NAMI to get information, resource referrals and support from 7:00am – 3:00pm or email info@namica.org.
Caregivers can find resources at the Department of Aging website. This includes guidelines to protect the health and safety of both you and your loved one from COVID-19.
County Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services: Call 833‑401‑0832 24/7 for concerns about adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Strategies for managing stress
- Be mindful of your intake of information from news sources about the virus, and consider taking breaks from it.
- Maintain social contact with supportive relationships like friends, family or others, by phone, text, internet, or in-person when safe to do so.
- Treat your body kindly: eat healthy foods, avoid excessive alcohol, and exercise as you are able.
- Call your health care provider if your anxiety interferes with your daily activities.
More stress relief techniques are available in the Roadmap for Resilience and COVID-19 playbook available from the Office of the Surgeon General.