California Youth Crisis Line
800-843-5200Call or text. For family conflict, depression, bullying, running away, identity questions, abuse, self-harm, or any teen problem. Translation is available.
For California teens · free options
You do not have to make this sound serious enough.
If tonight feels unsafe, too heavy, or impossible to explain, you can text someone now. You do not need insurance or a diagnosis.
If you might hurt yourself or cannot stay safe
Call or text 988
A crisis counselor answers 24/7. You can start with: “I’m a teenager. I don’t feel safe with myself and I need help getting through tonight.”
If someone has a weapon, has overdosed, or is already badly hurt, call 911. Say “mental health emergency” and ask whether a mobile crisis team is available.
Pick the person you want to answer
Teen Line
800-852-8336Trained teens answer calls from 6–10 p.m. Pacific. Text TEEN to 839863 from 6–9 p.m. Pacific.
The Trevor Project
866-488-7386Call, text START to 678678, or chat with a counselor trained to support LGBTQ+ young people.
Childhelp
800-422-4453Call or text GO to the same number. A counselor can help you think through safety, reporting, and what to do next.
You can send one sentence
“I’m not okay and I need you to stay with me tonight.”
“I’m having thoughts about hurting myself. Please help me get support now.”
“I can’t explain all of it yet. Can you listen without trying to fix it?”
“Home does not feel safe. I need help finding somewhere safe to be.”
A trusted adult can be a parent, relative, teacher, school counselor, coach, nurse, neighbor, friend’s parent, or faith leader. If the first person does not help, tell another one.
Make the moment safer before you solve anything
- 1
Put space between you and anything you could use to get hurt.
Move to another room or a public place. Hand medicines, weapons, or other dangerous items to an adult. Creating time and distance saves lives.
- 2
Get near a safe person.
Sit where someone else is, call them, or send one of the sentences above. Do not stay alone with a plan to hurt yourself.
- 3
Bring your body down one notch.
Press both feet into the floor. Name five things you see, four you feel, three you hear, two you smell, and one you taste. Or breathe out a little longer than you breathe in for one minute.
- 4
Delay the decision.
Set a 10-minute timer. During it, shower, hold ice wrapped in a towel, walk where other people are, watch a familiar show, or stay on a crisis text conversation.
- 5
Make a six-part safety plan when the wave lowers.
Write your warning signs, solo coping steps, safe places, people to ask, professional numbers, and how you will keep dangerous items away. Use the 988 safety-plan sheet.
Why these steps: NIMH and 988 recommend a specific safety plan, support people, coping strategies, and reducing access to lethal means. A promise or “contract” not to hurt yourself is not a safety plan.
If you need help tomorrow too
Free California support, ages 13–25
Soluna has free coaching, peer support, tools, and help finding care. No insurance is required.
Ask at school
Say: “I need to talk privately about my mental health today.” Ask for the counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, or another adult you trust.
Find ongoing care
What a California teen can decide about therapy, including privacy and when a parent is involved.
Checked sources
Every number and hour was checked against the service operator on 24 August 2026. Clinical guidance was checked against federal 988 and NIMH materials.
- 988 Lifeline: youth help and safety planning
- California Youth Crisis Line
- Teen Line support line
- The Trevor Project crisis services
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
- NIMH: safety plans and safer access to lethal means
- California DHCS: Soluna
Privacy: This page loads no analytics, ad pixels, or session recording. Nothing you tap here is reported to TherapyCalifornia.