If you’re experiencing a medical emergency
Always call 911 first if you or someone you love is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency or maybe a danger to someone else.

Call 211
If you need assistance locating long-term mental health resources, talking through a problem, or exploring mental health treatment options, call 211 to speak with a live person who can help.

  • 211 conversations are confidential, can be made anonymously, and are available in 180 languages upon request.
  • If you prefer to text, use web chat, or search for resources online, click here to find more ways to contact your local 211.

Additional Mental Health Assistance

You can always call 211 to speak to someone and find local assistance, but there are also dedicated helplines available to anyone in the U.S.

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 9-8-8 on your phone
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline Live Chat: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
  • Veterans Crisis Line: call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1; or text 838255
  • Crisis Text Line: text the word ‘Home’ to 741-741
  • The Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: call 1-866-488-7386
  • The Trans Lifeline: call 1-877-565-8860
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  • Peer Support Warm Line – Non-Clinical: 1-855-646-7366

Educational Resources

JFS offers:

  • Youth Mental Health First Aid: Teaches adults to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in the youth in their lives and to connect them to appropriate resources. Designed for parents, educators, and anyone else who regularly works with youth.
  • Teen Mental Health First Aid: A similar curriculum designed to help teens recognize and address signs and symptoms in their peers.

Please reach out to Anna at AMacDonald@jfshartford.org if you are interested in either of these courses.