If you’re experiencing stress, grief, political anxiety, loneliness, chronic health problems, financial uncertainty or any stressors, it’s normal to feel low or unsure of how to get help. Mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression, worsen under these conditions.
Reaching out for help is a good first step to feeling better, and you may find it difficult to speak up and ask for support when you need it. Fortunately, there are many ways to connect with people, no matter what’s troubling you.
General resources if you’re not sure where to start
- Call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Trained crisis counselors can help you or a loved one with any kind of mental health-related distress, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or substance use crisis. Learn more here. Spanish speakers can call 988 and press 2, or call 888-628-9454 directly to reach la Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio.
- Oregon’s Behavioral Health Support Line offers 24/7 behavioral health screening, counseling services and referrals to available mental health and substance use providers for ongoing care. Callers do not need to be in a crisis to contact the line. Call 800-923-HELP (4357).
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline – Oregon offers free online support groups, resources, classes and connection groups. Call 800-343-6264, Mon. to Fri., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Peer Galaxy is an online portal to hundreds of online and in-person support groups in Oregon. Check out their calendar of events.
- Community Counseling Solutions offers free phone support from the David Romprey Oregon Warmline, for anyone. Call 800-698-2392 daily, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Looking for other crisis lines, recovery resources and services for specific communities? Visit the “Get Help Now” page on Lines for Life’s website for a full list.
Domestic and sexual violence
- National Domestic Violence Hotline offers 24/7 support via phone, text, or live chat. Call 800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “Start” to 88788. TTY 800-787-3224. ASL Video phone support is available at 855-812-1001. Support services for Native American and Alaska Native survivors are available 24/7 by phone or text at 844-7NATIVE (844-762-8483).
- Call to Safety Crisis Line supports all domestic violence survivors, as well as friends, family and community members who care. Call 503-235-5333 or 888-235-5333. Translations available in any language.
- The Healing Circle hotline is part of NAYA Family Center (Native American Youth Association) and “works to reinforce the fact that domestic violence is not, nor ever has been, a traditional Native American value.” Call 503-288-8177 ext. 339.
LGBTQIA2S+
- Trans Lifeline Hotline is a peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers. Call 877-565-8860 daily, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. PST. Volunteers may be available in off hours. Family and friends of a trans loved one in crisis can call the main number and ask for the Family and Friends Line.
- The Trevor Project offers 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ youth. Call 866-488-7386 or text 678-678. You can also call 988 and press 3 for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults support.
- SAGE National LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline connects LGBTQ+ older people (or their caregivers) who want to talk with friendly responders who are ready to listen. Call 877-360-LGBT (5428), 24/7. Available in English and Spanish.
Health care workers
- Therapy Aid Coalition allows health care workers, including first responders, to search for free and low-cost therapy. Find a therapist in your area.
- The Emotional PPE Project connects health care workers with licensed mental health professionals who can help, for free. Find a therapist in your state.
Veterans and their families
- Veterans Crisis Line provides free and confidential 24/7 support for veterans and their loved ones, regardless of VA benefits enrollment. Dial 988 and press 1, or text 838-255.
- The Lines for Life Military Helpline offers free 24/7 help and hope to all military-connected community members, including family, friends and caregivers of veterans. Call 888-457-4838.
- Dual Diagnosis Anonymous Veterans weekly meetings provide a safe venue to be open about depression, post-traumatic stress, alcohol and drug use, abuse and addiction. Meetings are weekly, in-person or online. Call 503-222-6484.
- National Call Center for Homeless Veterans offers 24/7 support for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Call 1-877-424-3838.
Parents
- Reach Out Oregon warmline provides mental, behavioral and emotional support for parents. Call 833-732-2467, Mon. to Fri., noon to 7 p.m.
- Postpartum Support International (PSI) refers parents to appropriate local resources in English and Spanish. Call 800-944-4PPD (4773).
- Looking Glass Community Services (based in Eugene) operates a 24/7 crisis line for parents of children up to age 18 to call when their child is having an immediate mental health, emotional or behavioral crisis. If necessary, crisis responders can deploy a two-person team to the family home to respond directly to the crisis. Short-term respite for children is also available. Call 888-989-9990.
Seniors
- The Senior Loneliness Line of Oregon is a free, statewide 24/7 call service for Oregonians 55 and older. Call 503-200-1633 or 800-282-7035.
- Safe + Strong lists multiple support resources for seniors, including COVID-19 care and resources, peer outreach services, depression management and counseling, and support for older people with disabilities.
Communities of color
- Safe + Strong lists multiple resources for communities of color in Oregon.
- The Racial Equity Support Line is staffed by people with lived experience of racism and provides emotional support and resource referrals to those experiencing the impacts of racist violence, microaggressions, racial discrimination and cross-cultural issues. Call 503-575-3764, Mon. to Fri., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Youth and families
- Oregon YouthLine is a teen-to-teen crisis and help line. Call 877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839-863. Trained teens are available to help daily, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. (adults are also available 24/7).
- Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) are available in each county for children, youth and young adults (through age 20) and their families or caregivers to provide in-person, face-to-face crisis response. When someone calls 988 or their Community Mental Health Program (CMHP) local crisis line, a crisis counselor will link them to MRSS if they need it.
- Safe + Strong lists multiple support resources for youth, teens and families.
- Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide is dedicated to preventing youth and young adults in Oregon from dying by suicide. Call 503-399-7201 for more information (not a crisis hotline).
- The Dougy Center provides grief support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults and their families can share their experiences before and after a death. Call 503-775-5683 in the Portland area, or search the center’s worldwide directory for help near you.
- For LGBTQIA2S+ youth:
- Safe + Strong lists multiple resources for LGBTQIA2S+
- Local PFLAG groups in Oregon – provides in-person and virtual peer to peer support.
- New Avenues for Youth Alba Collaborative can help you find support any time, day or night. Its Youth Opportunity Center in Rockwood is open 24/7 for youth ages 9-17 in crisis, or who need a safe place to stay. Call 971-754-4350.
- Outside In (Portland) welcomes and encourage all from the LGBTQIA2S+ community to connect, feel seen and heard, and provides free resources such as counseling, medical services and wraparound support for homeless youth and other marginalized people who meet diagnostic criteria. Call 503-535-3828.
Substance use disorders
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers free and confidential treatment referral and information for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Call 800-662-HELP (4357) 24/7 for English and Spanish, TTY: 800-487-4889 for hearing or speech impaired.
- Dual Diagnosis Anonymous offers online and in-person support groups in Oregon for those experiencing both mental health and substance use disorders. Call 503-222-6484.
- Outside In’s Injection Drug Users Health Services promotes health and healing for people who are using injection drugs. Naloxone available. Call 503-535-3826. In-person or online support meetings available.
- Oregon’s Alcohol & Drug Helpline assists those struggling with substance use and can provide referrals to local resources for peer support and treatment. Call 800-923-4357 24/7, or text Recovery Now to 839863.
Immunocompromised
- The Global Healthy Living Foundation offers a free COVID-19 support program for people who have chronic diseases and their families.
- Immune Deficiency Foundation offers connection groups and peer support programs to those with primary immunodeficiency diseases.
Eating disorders
- The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) offers support, resources and treatment options for yourself or a loved one experiencing an eating disorder. Call or text 800-931-2237.