Safety
Free, confidential support from trained people — whether you're struggling, not safe, or dealing with something that happened on or off Alternative. Pick where you are and what's going on.
Showing 20 services for United States.
If you're thinking about suicide or feel you can't cope, you can talk to someone right now.
Anyone — you don't have to be suicidal
Trained crisis counselors for anyone in emotional distress or thinking about suicide, or worried about someone else.
Spanish: press 2, or text AYUDA to 988. Veterans: press 1. TTY: dial 711, then 988.
Text with a trained volunteer crisis counselor about anything that's overwhelming you.
For Spanish, text AYUDA to 741741. WhatsApp works if your carrier blocks short codes.
Support for LGBTQ+ and trans people — much of it from people in the community who get it.
Trans, nonbinary and questioning people
Peer support from trans and nonbinary operators, who won't call 911 or the police unless you ask them to. You don't need to be in crisis.
Press 2 for Spanish. Closed weekends and some holidays; no text or chat yet.
LGBTQ+ young people under 25
Crisis counseling from counselors trained in what LGBTQ+ young people face.
LGBTQIA+ and questioning people of any age
Free, confidential peer support and local referrals from LGBTQIA+ volunteers — including coming-out support.
Mon–Fri 2pm–11pm ET; Sat noon–5pm ET. Coming Out Support Hotline: 1-888-688-5428.
LGBTQ+ and HIV-affected survivors of violence; based in New York City
Crisis support, safety planning and referrals after hate, partner or sexual violence, in English and Spanish.
Mon–Thu 10am–6pm ET, Fri 10am–2pm ET. At other times, leave a voicemail for a callback within 2 business days.
Whenever it happened, you can get confidential support and information about your options.
Survivors of any gender, and the people supporting them
Confidential support, information and referrals to local sexual assault services.
In English and Spanish.
For anyone being hurt, threatened, controlled or stalked by a partner, an ex or family.
Anyone affected by relationship abuse
Advocates offer crisis support, safety planning and local referrals.
Interpreters in 200+ languages. Deaf? The Deaf Hotline takes ASL videophone calls on 1-855-812-1001.
People aged 24 and under, and the people supporting them
Help with dating abuse, and with questions about what a healthy relationship looks like.
Native Americans and Alaska Natives
Anonymous support for domestic and sexual violence from advocates who understand Native cultures and tribal law.
Help with intimate images shared without consent, sextortion and online harassment.
Adults whose intimate images were shared or threatened
The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative's helpline and step-by-step guide for image-based abuse, including sextortion.
Free.
Adults, for images taken when they were 18 or over
A free tool that makes a digital fingerprint of your intimate images on your own device, so partner platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Reddit can block them being shared. The images never leave your phone.
Anyone with nude or sexual images of themselves taken before they were 18
Like StopNCII, but for images taken when you were under 18 — run by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Nothing is uploaded.
Sites and apps must remove intimate images posted without consent within 48 hours of your request. If they don't, or give you no way to ask, report them to the FTC.
Explains your rights and options after any crime — including stalking, online harassment and fraud — and connects you to local help.
Interpreters in 200+ languages.
If someone you met online asked you for money, or you've already sent some.
Report romance scams and other fraud to the Federal Trade Commission, even if you didn't lose money. Reports are shared with law enforcement.
In Spanish at reportefraude.ftc.gov. If your identity was misused, use IdentityTheft.gov.
The FBI's place to report online fraud — including romance and crypto scams — and sextortion.
The IC3 never contacts victims asking for money. Be wary of anyone who does, or who offers to recover your money.
Anyone, at any age — you don't need to be a member
Trained fraud specialists help you work out whether something's a scam, and what to do next.
Free.
Not in crisis, but struggling? These services listen, and help you find ongoing support.
Peer support, mental health information and referrals. Not a crisis line — in a crisis, call or text 988.
Press 2 for Spanish.
People dealing with mental health or substance use, and their families
Free, confidential referrals to local treatment, support groups and community services.
In English and Spanish.
Travelling, or looking for support in another country or language? This free directory covers the rest of the world.
Anyone, in any country
A free directory of checked helplines in more than 175 countries. Choose where you are and what you need, and it lists services you can call, text or chat with.
Reporting someone on Alternative? Use Report on their profile or in your chat — our team reviews every report. Get help from support
Alternative isn't an emergency service and isn't affiliated with these organizations. We last checked these details in September 2026; services do change, so if something's out of date, please let support know.