Who should I call right now?
A quiet place to figure out the right kind of help — for you or someone you’re worried about. Nothing you tap here is saved or sent anywhere; this page works entirely on your device.
Any time:988833-710-6477
What’s happening right now?
Pick the one that feels closest. There’s no wrong answer, and you can change your mind — nothing you choose here is saved or sent anywhere.
Not sure between two? Start with the more urgent one — every option below can redirect you, and every counselor on these lines helps people figure out “is this a crisis?” all day long.
Every option at a glance
The same information as the guide above, all in one place — this is the version that prints.
Someone may not stay safe in the next few minutes
Say “this is a mental health emergency” early in the call — and ask for a CIT-trained officer (crisis intervention training) if one is available. The dispatcher will ask your location, what's happening, and whether weapons or substances are involved. Police or EMS respond; they may bring the person to an emergency department for evaluation.
Who: Anyone, any age, when there's immediate danger to life. · Cost: Free to call. (ED visits may involve costs — safety comes first.)
- Nearest emergency roomGo to the closest emergency department24/7
Tell the front desk it's a mental health emergency. A nurse will check in first, then a clinician evaluates safety and next steps. Waits can be long — bringing a charger, medication list, and a support person helps.
Who: When you can travel safely — don't drive if you're the one in crisis. · Cost: Usual ER billing applies; NH hospitals must evaluate you regardless of ability to pay.
While you wait for help
- Stay with the person (or have someone stay with you). Don't leave them alone, even briefly.
- Move or lock up anything that could cause harm — medications, sharp objects, firearms — if you can do so safely.
- If it's an overdose and you have naloxone (Narcan), use it. It cannot hurt someone who hasn't taken opioids.
- Unlock the front door, turn on outside lights, and secure pets so responders can reach you quickly.
- Speak low and slow. You don't need the perfect words — “I'm here. Help is coming. We'll get through this.”
- When responders arrive, tell them it's a mental health emergency and share what the person took or did, if you know.
I'm in crisis and need to talk to someone now
A trained counselor answers. They'll ask what's happening and how you're doing. If it would help, they can send a mobile crisis team to you — at home, in a parking lot, wherever you are. The team is clinical staff, not police.
Who: Anyone in New Hampshire, all ages — including crises involving children and teens. · Cost: Free. The mobile crisis team is free too.
A counselor picks up, usually within a few minutes. They listen. They help you figure out next steps. Veterans press 1. Spanish speakers press 2.
Who: Anyone, anywhere in the US. You don't have to be suicidal — distress is enough. · Cost: Free.
A trained volunteer responds within minutes. Good if talking feels too hard right now. You text at your own pace; they stay with you until you're at a calmer, safer place.
Who: Anyone. Especially useful if you can't speak privately where you are. · Cost: Free from most carriers.
I'm struggling and need support soon
Someone who's been through their own mental health challenges and gets it. Not clinical, just human. Good for when you need to talk but don't feel like it's a “crisis.”
Who: NH adults. Run by NH's peer support agencies (H.E.A.R.T.S., Connections, On the Road to Wellness, and others). North Country: 866-447-1765 (6–9 pm). · Cost: Free.
- Your community mental health centerFind your region's center belowBusiness hours; several offer same-day or rapid intake
Every NH region has a designated community mental health center that must see people in crisis regardless of insurance. Call the intake line, say how urgent it feels, and ask about same-day or walk-in options.
Who: All ages, every NH town — each town belongs to one of 10 catchment areas. · Cost: Sliding fee scale; Medicaid, Medicare, and most insurance accepted. No one is turned away for inability to pay.
For alcohol or drug crises, 211 connects you to The Doorway — nine locations statewide offering screening, treatment referral, and naloxone, usually with a next-business-day appointment or faster.
Who: Anyone in NH dealing with substance use — their own or a family member's. · Cost: Free to call; The Doorway services are free.
I need help, but it's not a crisis
A knowledgeable, unhurried person helps you understand options — for yourself or someone you love. They know the NH system inside out and can point you to providers, support groups, and family programs.
Who: NH individuals and families. Especially good for parents and caregivers. · Cost: Free.
- Your primary care doctorCall your doctor's officeTheir regular hours
Your PCP can screen for depression and anxiety, discuss medication, and refer you to counseling. A script if it's hard to say: “I've been struggling with my mood for a few weeks. It's affecting my daily life, and I'd like to talk about options.”
Who: Anyone with a regular doctor. No PCP? Dial 211 to find a community health center. · Cost: A normal office visit — mental health screening is covered by most plans.
NH's aging and disability resource center. They help older adults and caregivers connect to counseling, in-home support, and benefits — and they understand that depression is not a normal part of aging.
Who: Older adults, adults with disabilities, and the people caring for them. · Cost: Free.
Lines for specific communities
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, press 1 · or text 838255 · 24/7, for veterans, service members & families
- Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth): Call 866-488-7386 · or text START to 678-678 · 24/7
- Trans Lifeline: Call 877-565-8860 · peer support run by and for trans people
- ServiceLink (older adults): Call 866-634-9412 · weekdays · aging & disability resource center
Common worries, answered
Will they send the police if I call 988 or NH Rapid Response?
Almost never. Crisis counselors involve emergency services only when there is imminent, unavoidable danger to life, and they discuss it with you first whenever possible. NH Rapid Response can send a mobile crisis team instead — clinical staff in a regular vehicle, not police.
Does calling a crisis line cost anything?
No. 988, NH Rapid Response (833-710-6477), the Crisis Text Line, NH peer support warmlines, and the NAMI NH resource line are all free. Even the mobile crisis team that comes to you is free.
What do I say when I call?
You don't need the right words. “I'm not doing okay” is enough. The counselor will ask gentle questions and carry the conversation from there. You can stay anonymous, and you can share as much or as little as you want.
Can I get help without talking on the phone?
Yes. You can text 988, text NH Rapid Response at 833-710-6477, or text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. All three are staffed 24/7 and free.
What if the crisis involves my child or teen?
Call or text NH Rapid Response at 833-710-6477 — it serves all ages, and its mobile crisis teams respond to children and adolescents at home or school. LGBTQ+ young people can also reach the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386, 24/7.
Do I have to be suicidal to use these lines?
No. Panic, overwhelm, grief, hearing voices, substance use, loneliness — there is no minimum threshold. Counselors would far rather hear from you early than late.
After today
Crisis support steadies things; ongoing care keeps them steady. When you’re ready:
Numbers verified July 2026. If a number doesn't connect, call or text 988, or NH Rapid Response at 833-710-6477 — both answer 24/7. To suggest a correction, use the resource submission form.