A compiled list of resources where individuals can get help.
Suicide and Crisis Hotlines
For abuse, domestic violence, suicidal thoughts or sexual assault). These services are for people in crisis (as well as friends/family of people who are):
911 – If you are (or the person you are helping is) in immediate danger
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (www.988lifeline.org)
Phone 988 or (800) 273-8255; text 838255
A 24/7 service for anyone with suicidal thoughts or who are in crisis. Services available for Spanish-speakers and deaf or persons with hearing challenges.
Crisis Text Line (www.crisistextline.org)
Text “Home” to 741741
A text-based service that fields calls about suicidal thoughts, abuse, sexual assault, depression, anxiety, bullying, and more.
Alameda County (www.acbhcs.org)
Crisis Services Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) — Phone (510) 891-5600 (M-F 8AM – 6PM)
Mental Health Treatment and Referral Helpline — Phone (800) 491-9099 or TTY (510) 567-8100
COVID-19 Healthcare Workers Support Line — Phone (510) 420-3222
Contra Costa County Crisis Center (www.crisis-center.org)
Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) — Phone (833) 443-2672 (M-F 8AM – 6:30PM)
Crisis Center 24-hour Access Line — Phone 211 or (800) 833-2900
Contra Costa County Mental Health Crisis Services (www.cchealth.org)
Phone (888) 678-7277
For mental health and substance abuse concerns
Children and Teens Crisis Lines
Alameda County Crisis Youth Text Line (www.crisissupport.org)
Phone (800) 273-8255 or text “Safe” to 20121 (4PM – 11PM daily)
Contra Costa County Crisis Services and Resources for Teens
(www.cchealth.org/mentalhealth/crisis-teens.php)
Phone 211 or (800) 833-2900
California Youth Crisis Line (www.calyouth.org)
Phone (800) 843-5200
A 24/7 statewide emergency response system for youth (ages 12-24) and families in crisis. Professionally trained staff and volunteer counselors provide crisis intervention counseling and a broad range of resource referrals to caller’s local community. Translation services provided.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NEMEC) (www.missingkids.org)
Phone (800) 843-5678
Information clearinghouse and national resource center on information related to victims, missing, and exploited children. Participates in AMBER Alert (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response).
National Runaway Safeline (www.1800runaway.org)
Phone (800 RUNAWAY)
A crisis line for youth thinking about running away, youth already on the run, and adults worried about a runaway.
Youthline (www.theyouthline.com)
Phone (877) 968-8491 or text “teen2teen” to 839863
They provide a safe place for children and adults (ages 11-21) to talk about a broad range of issues, including self-harm, thoughts of suicide, depression and/or anxiety, relationship or family concerns, and eating disorders.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (www.childhelphotline.org)
Phone or text 1-(800) 422-4453
Primarily focused on child abuse, this service connects callers with professional counselors to help during a crisis and provide information about how to get help. They offer phone support in more than 100 languages and online chat services.
Parents Crisis Line
National Parent Helpline (www.nationalparenthelpline.org)
Phone (855) 427-2736
Provides emotional support and resource referral for overwhelmed and stressed parents. Also provides information about a broad range of parenting and co-parenting topics.
Domestic Violence and Abuse Crisis Lines
National Domestic Violence Hotline (www.thehotline.org)
Phone (800) 799-7233 or TTY (800) 787-3224; text “START” to 88788
A 24/7 service for anyone experiencing (or concerned about someone who is experiencing) domestic violence and/or abuse. They offer support in more than 200 languages and confidential, secure online chat.
Family Violence Law Center Mobile Response Team – Alameda County (www.fvlc.org)
Phone (510) 757-5123 or (800) 947-8301
Provides emergency assistance and advocacy to people in immediate danger of family violence in Alameda County.
Stand! Against Domestic Violence (formerly Battered Women’s Alternatives) – Contra Costa County
(standagainstdv.net)
Phone (888) 215-5555
Provides emergency assistance and advocacy to people in immediate danger of family violence in Contra Costa County.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) (www.rainn.org)
Phone (800) 656-4673
This hotline is for anyone who’s experienced sexual abuse or assault. Calls are usually transferred to someone working at a local organization (in your area) who can provide live support and referrals to additional resources.
LGBTQIA+ Resources
The Trevor Project (www.thetrevorproject.org)
Phone (866) 488-7386; text “START” to 678678
LGBTQIA+ kids and teens can contact them if they are feeling suicidal or need a safe space to talk about any issue.
LGBT Hotline (www.lgbthotline.org)
This organization provides LGBTQIA+ hotlines as well as personal chat and weekly youth chatrooms. Also supports website (www.LGBTnearME.org) with US and Canada links for additional resources.
LGBT National Hotline — Phone (888) 843-4564
LGBT National Youth Talkline — Phone (800) 246-7743
LGBT Senior Hotline — Phone (888) 234-7243
LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline — Phone (888) 688-5428
Veterans Resources
Veterans Crisis Line (www.veteranscrisisline.net)
Phone (800) 273-8255, text “838255”, or chat 988, then press option 1
This service is available to all Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them.
First Responders
Copline (www.copline.org)
Phone (800) 267-5463
Confidential and 24-hour law enforcement hotline staffed by retired law enforcement officers trained in active listening.
Safe Call Now (www.safecallnow.org)
Phone (877) 230-6060 or (206) 459-3020
Confidential and 24-hour crisis referral service for all first responders, including veterans, physicians, nurses, and all public safety employees and emergency services personnel (and their family members) nationwide. All calls answered by first responders.
ResponderStrong Emergency Responder Crisis Text (www.responderstrong.org)
Text “Badge” to 741741
Service for all first responders (EMS, Fire, Police, Dispatchers, healthcare professionals) and their families.
Support Groups and Resources
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Phone (800) 950-6264; text 988
Provides support services for people and their loved ones that suffer from mental illness. Meetings are in person and virtual.
Alameda County NAMI website: www.nami-alamedacounty.org
Contra Costa County NAMI website: www.namicontracosta.org
Finding a Mental Health Professional
www.PsychologyToday.com – A provider-paid advertising site that contains substantially more information about providers than most other listings. Includes description of therapeutic orientation and approach(es), specialties, location, fees, website links, and insurance plan contracts.
Online Resources
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (www.adaa.org)
A good resource for information about research and treatment, including webinars, biogs, and short articles.
National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov)
A good resource for information about mental disorders, treatments and therapies, and recent research (including some that are recruiting participants).
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) (www.nami.org)
In addition to offering local support groups (for people and their loved ones who suffer from mental illnesses), their website provides information about mental health conditions, as well as treatment, support, and online discussion groups.
Mental Health Provider Licensing Agencies
These organizations protect consumers of professional services by ensuring that licensed professionals are competent to practice independently and safely. They accept and investigate complaints and provide a public portal to verify licenses and check for disciplinary actions:
Board of Psychology (www.psychology.ca.gov)
Phone (866) 503-3221
Psychologists and Registered Psychological Associates (who are supervised by licensed professionals but not independently licensed).
Board of Behavioral Sciences (www.bbs.ca.qov)
Phone (916) 574-7830
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Marriage Family Therapists (LMFT), Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC), Educational Psychologists (LEP) and Registered Associates/Trainees (who are supervised by licensed professionals but not independently licensed).
Medical Board of California (www.mbc.ca.gov)
Phone (800) 633-2322
Licensed Physicians, including Psychiatrists.