Depression hotline text number


Depression: Understand Symptoms and Get Help

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What is Depression?

Depression is a feeling that nothing matters that is so strong it interferes with one’s ability to function in the world. School? Work? Social life? Depression can make getting out of bed every morning like climbing Mt. Everest. The good news is you do not have to climb the mountain alone. Asking for help could help you unlock the tools to make the climb easier. No sweat—you’ve got this.

Symptoms:

There are a few key symptoms that could indicate you are experiencing far more than your average bummer.

According to the American Psychological Association, symptoms of depression could include:

  • Depressed mood. All-day. Every day. For days.
  • Unintentional, significant weight loss
  • Not having any energy even after you’ve slept well
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • Having a hard time concentrating or making decisions
  • Thoughts of death or ending your life

Our Crisis Counselors are here to help. Text a Crisis Counselor at 741741, or use the mobile text button below. Let’s take on depression together.

How to Deal with Depression:

Depression can likely make you feel isolated and alone. No fear—we’re here for you. Nobody should have to go through their dark times on their own. Together, we’ve got this.

Here are a few ways to start working through sadness.

  • Text us. Getting vulnerable about what is going on in your life is the ultimate sign of bravery. We’re ready to be brave with you. Connecting with a real human could help you work through the sadness in the moment and strategize ways to get out of the dark place in the long term. Text HOME to 741741 to chat with a Crisis Counselor.
  • Self-care. If you’re feeling depressed, taking care of yourself can feel like a feat. Pick one thing to focus on like eating a meal, getting dressed, or taking a shower. Did you pick one? Ok, great. Let’s do this.
  • Let someone in. When you’re depressed, likely the last thing you want to do is spend time with other humans. In reality, science says maintaining key aspects of your social life can be a powerful way to manage your depression. Try letting even one friend in and telling them what’s going on. Need a place to start? Try shooting them a text like this: “Hey, I’m having a hard time and could use some company. Want to hang out?”
  • Talk to a pro. Mental health is health. So, sometimes it requires doctors to help you figure out the best plan for you. It’s never too early to ask for help. Getting help from a pro could help you unlock the tools to get out of the dark place.

Types:

Common types of depression include:

  • Major Depression: According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Major Depression is the most common type of depression. Usually, it is two or more weeks of depression symptoms like feelings of worthlessness, feelings of guilt, and a lack of interest in things you used to love.
  • Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar Disorder is not the same as depression. However, it often includes symptoms of depression—one’s mood will swing from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
  • Postpartum Depression: Having a baby can change the hormones in one’s body. Sometimes, this hormonal change can trigger symptoms of depression. About 16% of mothers will experience postpartum depression within a year of childbirth.
  • Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder (PMDD): Hormonal changes can be a wild ride for your brain and your body. PMDD is a type of depression that affects women during their period. It includes symptoms that are more severe than your usual PMS.
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Sometimes, people can experience depression around major changes in seasons. Usually, people experience SAD during the winter when the weather is cold and the days creep shorter. Often, SAD improves with the next change in seasons. That doesn’t mean you need to wait it out to get help. Reach out to your doctor. And, of course, shoot us a text, too.

Risk Factors and Causes:

Risk factors for depression include:

  • Family or personal history
  • Major life stressors, including trauma or life changes such as the end of a relationship, a family loss, moving, or changing careers.
  • Chronic disease or certain medications
  • Drug and alcohol addiction
  • Experiences of racism
  • Women in their late teens to early 30s are at increased risk

How to Treat Depression:

Even the most severe cases of depression can be treated. And, the sooner you seek help, the better. Treatment for depression typically consists of therapy and medication. Other things to consider if you are managing depression:

  • Engaging in regular physical activity and exercise
  • Maintaining healthy and regular sleep patterns
  • Spending time with friends and loved ones and accepting help when offered
  • Understanding that your mood will improve gradually, not immediately
  • Continuing to learn more about your depression and maintaining awareness of what works, and what doesn’t, as you and your doctor try out different treatment options
  • Talking to your doctor is a great first step to learning more about how you’re feeling and the options around managing your mental wellness that will be most effective for you.

Depressed? Text a Crisis Counselor at 741471 or use the mobile click to text button below. You’re not alone.

Pass 741741 On To A Friend

You never know who might need Crisis Text Line. Pass it on and tell the people in your life to text HOME to 741741 if they’re ever in crisis.

Pass 741741 On To A Friend

You never know who might need Crisis Text Line. Pass it on and tell the people in your life to text HOME to 741741 if they’re ever in crisis.

In a crisis?

Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor

Free 24/7 support at your fingertips.

Text Us

Text Us

Become a Volunteer | Crisis Text Line

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This information is for our service in the United States. If you have any questions throughout the application process, email [email protected] and someone will get back to you!

What Does a Volunteer Crisis Counselor Do?

Crisis Text Line is the free, 24/7 text line for people in crisis in the United States. The service is powered by volunteer Crisis Counselors who work remotely—anywhere with a computer and secure internet connection works.

Crisis Counselors answer texts from people in crisis, bringing them from a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening, collaborative problem solving, and safety planning.

Get Started

I volunteer for Crisis Text Line because practicing empathy and reflective listening makes me a better friend, partner, and employee. CRISIS COUNSELOR, STUDENT

How Do I Become a Crisis Counselor?

This all begins with training. In 30 hours, you’ll walk away knowing reflective listening, collaborative problem solving, and crisis management. (These are skills that will help in your personal relationships too!)

You can train from anywhere—in your PJs, in a coffee shop, wherever—and our Crisis Counselors highlight this intervention training on their resumes when interviewing for jobs, applying to grad school, and building out their LinkedIn profile.

Time commitment & Hours

When the rest of the country is sleeping, 2/3 of our crisis situations—and by default texter volume—occurs at night. Our greatest need for Crisis Counselors is between 7pm and 3am PST (10pm and 6am EST).

Are you a night owl or early riser? Looking for an odd-hours volunteer opportunity in crisis intervention? You’ve found the right place!

Volunteer Crisis Counselors commit to volunteering 4 hours per week until 200 hours are reached. Ideally, we expect you to fulfill your commitment within one year. Before you begin as a counselor, you’ll also complete a training period to give you all of the expertise you need to successfully and empathetically navigate crisis intervention.

This training is free for you, but it costs Crisis Text Line $1,008 to train each Crisis Counselor. So, we need volunteers to see training through to the end and serve out their 200-hour commitment.

Get Started

Benefits of becoming a Crisis Counselor

This is an opportunity to hone your skills in communication, counseling, and intervention. You’ll be working alongside volunteers who are also social workers, therapists, and psychiatrists which can in turn sharpen your crisis management skills!

But most of all, you’ll feel supported. This is a community. We are a big awesome family.

Ready to become a Crisis Counselor?

We accept applications on a rolling basis. We begin new training cohorts weekly, but space is limited.

To apply, applicants must be 18 or older and have a US Social Security Number and/or a US address. To volunteer, Crisis Counselors must have access to reliable Internet access and a personal computer.

The Process:

Step 1

Complete the 30-minute Crisis Counselor application and consent to a background check

Step 2

Complete the 30-hour web-based crisis counseling and intervention training.

Step 3

Take your first counseling shift and start changing lives!

Get Started

Being a Crisis Counselor teaches me so much around believing in hope, trusting the process, and deepening compassion — for others and for myself. CRISIS COUNSELOR, STUDENT
In a crisis?

Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor

Free 24/7 support at your fingertips.

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Psychological help hotline

Psychological help hotline

Get help

Get quick support and take care of your mental health

Everyone at least once in their life has faced a situation from which it is difficult to find a way out on their own. This is emotional burnout, depression, problems in relationships with loved ones. The hotline gives BestDoctor users the opportunity to seek emergency help and discuss with a specialist a worrying problem: from personal growth and increased anxiety to conflict with parents or colleagues.

Our psychologists can help you reduce your stress levels and give prompt advice to improve your mental health.

About the product

Why do we need a Hotline?

The timely help of a professional psychologist is the first and most important step towards accepting the problem and the desire to find the right and effective solution as soon as possible. Our specialists are ready to advise you on these issues:

Mental health recovery

Problems of personal growth and self-determination

Unsatisfied career expectations

The onset of the age crisis

Emotional experiences and burnout

Strong stress and depressive state

Conflicts in the family or in relations

Problems of adaptation in the team

Relations between parents and children

*If you are found in a difficult life situation or experiencing suicidal feelings, we recommend that you contact the single all-Russian helpline - 8-800-2000-122 as soon as possible.

Restoration of mental health

Problems of personal growth and self -determination

Unsatisfied career expectations

The onset of the age crisis

Emotional experiences and burnout

Strong stress and depressive state conflicts in the family or in relations

Problems of adaptation in the group

Relations between parents and children

*If you are in a difficult life situation or are experiencing suicidal feelings, we recommend that you contact the unified all-Russian helpline as soon as possible - 8-800-2000-122.

Restoration of mental health

Problems of personal growth and self -determination

Unsatisfied career expectations

The onset of the age crisis

Emotional experiences and burnout

Strong stress and depressive state

Conflicts within the family and marriage

Conflicts in the family or in relations in relations in relations in relations

Relationships between parents and children

*If you are in a difficult life situation or have suicidal thoughts, we recommend that you contact the Unified All-Russian Helpline at 8-800-2000-122 as soon as possible.

And many other benefits and support in all situations

A conversation with a psychologist is always based on honest and trusting relationships. Our graduates always make contact, immerse themselves in the problem and do not rely on their personal beliefs.

Tolerant

Any information received during the conversation remains only with us. We will not pass it on to others and will not use it in the future.

Confidential

At any time during the consultation, you can interrupt the conversation or move on to another topic. And most importantly - do not explain the reason for such a desire.

Available

How to apply?

Call 8 (800) 555-71-76
and you will be connected to a specialist support and recommendations from a psychologist BestDoctor

BestDoctor psychological help hotline

8 (800) 555-71-76

The line is open from 9:00 to 21:00 Moscow time

Psychological Help Hotline, Psychological Help Support Service, free hotline 8-800

Psychological Help Hotline is a critical social service. No one is immune from a negative Psychological situation or a stressful situation, during which there is no possibility to receive outpatient Psychological assistance, at such moments the hotline is the only way to get help and support in order to overcome difficulties.

Psychological help line (helpline)

Who may need emergency Psychological Help by phone?

Working Principles of the Helpline Hotline

Other Ways to Get Emergency Psychological Help

Competence of Operators and Response Time

Psychological Helpline (helpline)

8 (800) 333-44-34

Calls are free throughout Russia.

Hotline for Psychological Assistance EMERCOM of Russia

8 (499) 216-50-50

Toll-free 24-hour emergency Psychological assistance for Moscow residents

051

Who may need emergency Psychological assistance by phone?

  • People who experience a very strong emotional experience of an unbearable nature, which requires the help of a specialist;
  • People who have suffered psychological trauma;
  • People who experience severe stress and want to find ways out of this state;
  • People who have suffered the loss of a loved one or faced grief and who, due to circumstances, do not understand how to live on;
  • Persons who cannot understand themselves;
  • People who are depressed and have suicidal thoughts;
  • Those people who have come to the conclusion that they need professional Psychological help, but who, for various reasons, postpone visiting a specialist.
  • Teenagers, in whose personal life there are difficulties in relations with a partner, and they see their solution only in a fatal act.

How the hotline works

  • Anonymity. The caller and the consultant may not give their real name and provide another personal information about themselves during the conversation. This also applies to the phone number from which the call came;
  • Privacy. All information received during a conversation with a hotline consultant is not transferred and is not used in the future, and the data received during the conversation is anonymized as much as possible;
  • Tolerance. Whatever opinion, views and beliefs the caller holds, he is not criticized or condemned. The consultant in any situation will try to understand the subscriber.
  • Call management. A caller to a hotline number can end the conversation at any time or abruptly change its subject, without explaining the reasons.

Other ways to get emergency Psychological assistance

On the website of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, you can contact the Internet service of emergency Psychological assistance with a question or problem, which is located in the appropriate section.


Learn more