IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS RIGHT NOW
Please Reach Out Immediately
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 — available 24/7. Press 3 or ask for the LGBTQ+ option when you call. Counselors trained in LGBTQ+ experiences.
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The Trevor Project
Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678 or chat at TheTrevorProject.org — 24/7 LGBTQ+ crisis support, especially for youth and young adults.
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Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 — free, confidential, 24/7 crisis counseling by text for all ages.
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Emergency Services
Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if there is an immediate risk to life or if a suicide attempt has already occurred.
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What Is a Mental Health Crisis?
A mental health crisis is not a sign of weakness or failure. It is a point at which the emotional or psychological pain a person is experiencing becomes more than they can manage safely on their own. A crisis can look different for different people, but common signs include:
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Thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or that life is not worth living
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Feeling completely overwhelmed, trapped, or hopeless
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Extreme panic or an inability to calm down
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Psychosis, severe dissociation, or being disconnected from reality
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Severe emotional pain that feels intolerable
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A sudden change in behavior that suggests a person may be at risk
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You do not need to be certain that what you are experiencing is a “real” crisis to reach out. Crisis lines exist for exactly this uncertainty — for moments when you are not sure, when you feel alone, or when you simply need to talk to someone who will listen without judgment.
When to Call 988 vs. When to Call 911
Understanding the difference between these two responses can help you make a better call in a difficult moment.
Call or text 988 when:
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You are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm
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You are in severe emotional distress
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You are worried about someone else’s mental health
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You are not sure what to do and need guidance
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Call 911 when:
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A suicide attempt has already occurred or is in progress
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There is an immediate risk to life requiring emergency medical response
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Someone has weapons and poses an immediate danger to themselves or others
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You are unable to get the person to safety yourself
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When possible, 988 is the better first call for mental health situations. It connects to mental health-trained responders rather than law enforcement, and many areas now have mobile crisis teams that can respond without police involvement.
What to Expect When You Call 988
Calling 988 for the first time can feel uncertain. Here is what typically happens:
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You will hear a brief recorded message — then be connected to a local or national crisis counselor
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Press 3 for the LGBTQ+ option — or ask for it — you will be connected to a counselor with specific training in LGBTQ+ experiences
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The counselor will listen — They will not judge you, they will not report you to authorities in most circumstances, and they are not there to tell you what to do — they are there to help
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They may help you make a safety plan — develop coping strategies, or connect you with local resources including mobile crisis teams
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You stay in control — You can end the call when you need to. The goal is to help you get through the moment safely
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Suicide Warning Signs in LGBTQ+ People
General suicide warning signs include talking about wanting to die, expressing hopelessness, giving away possessions, withdrawing from others, and sudden calmness after a period of depression. For LGBTQ+ people, additional risk factors include:
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Recent family rejection or being outed without consent — both are associated with significantly elevated crisis risk
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Experiences of bullying, harassment, or discrimination — especially concentrated events in short periods
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Conflict or uncertainty around gender identity — particularly in environments without affirming support. See our Gender Dysphoria Resources page
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Loss of community or chosen family — which can be uniquely devastating when biological family is not a source of safety
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Increased substance use — often a signal that someone is struggling to cope. See our Mental Health Resources page for context on co-occurring conditions
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A history of depression, anxiety, or trauma — which increase overall vulnerability during crisis periods. See our pages on LGBTQ Depression, Anxiety, and Trauma
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How to Help Someone Else in Crisis
If you are worried about a friend, family member, or community member, your response matters. Here is what helps:
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Stay with them. Do not leave someone who is in crisis alone if you can help it.
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Ask directly. “Are you thinking about suicide?” Asking this question does not plant the idea — it often provides relief and opens the door to getting help.
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Listen without minimizing. Avoid phrases like “you have so much to live for” or “it could be worse.” These are well-intentioned but can make someone feel more alone.
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Help them contact 988 or The Trevor Project. You can call together or help them make the call.
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If there is immediate danger, call 911. If a suicide attempt has occurred or is imminent and you cannot keep them safe, emergency services are needed.
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Follow up. After a crisis, continued connection matters. Check in. Let them know they are not forgotten.
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LGBTQ+-Specific Crisis Considerations
LGBTQ+ people in crisis sometimes have specific fears about reaching out for help — concerns about being outed, misgendered, or judged by crisis responders. These fears are understandable and based on real experiences. Here is what you should know:
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The 988 LGBTQ+ option (press 3) connects you with counselors who have specific training in LGBTQ+ experiences and will not respond with judgment or misunderstanding
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The Trevor Project is staffed entirely by people trained to support LGBTQ+ young people and will use your correct name and pronouns
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Both 988 and The Trevor Project maintain confidentiality in accordance with standard crisis line protocols — they are not there to report you
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If you are taken to a hospital, you have the right to request a patient advocate and to have your gender identity and pronouns respected
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NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) also offers mental health resources and education: nami.org or call the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-6264.
Immediate Next Steps After a Crisis
Once the immediate crisis has passed, it is important not to simply return to the status quo. The crisis is a signal that something needs attention. After getting through the immediate moment:
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Talk to someone you trust — Isolation after a crisis increases risk. Chosen family, LGBTQ+ community, and peer support all matter
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Build a safety plan — A safety plan is a simple document that identifies warning signs, coping strategies, and people to contact if you feel in danger again — a therapist can help you create one
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Reach out to Transpire Help — We can help connect you with affirming mental health resources, community support, housing, and recovery services. Reach out here
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How Transpire Help Can Support You
Transpire Help is an LGBTQIA+ nonprofit connecting people with housing, healthcare, recovery resources, and community support. If you or someone you know has experienced a mental health crisis, we can help connect you with affirming mental health resources, peer support, and navigational assistance. Visit our LGBTQ Mental Health Resources page, browse our Resources page, or reach out directly.
