Crisis Services: Someone to Contact

When life gets overwhelming, it helps to know you aren't alone. This page includes support services that you can call, text, or message online for all types of issues that can cause emotional distress, such as:

• Anxiety and depression
• Divorce or relationship challenges
• Grief or loss
• Substance use
• Thoughts of suicide
• Violent or abusive situations

The people who answer are trained to help you find stable ground. They can define the best next steps to help you with your challenge. There aren't scripts or pre-made solutions.

Four things to know before you call, text, or chat

• For medical, police, or fire emergencies, call 911.
• Many helplines, hotlines, and text services are available at no cost to the caller. Some helplines, hotlines, and text services may charge a fee or dispatch services that may come with a cost. If this is a concern, you can ask what the organization's policy is regarding cost at any time. Message and data rates may apply.
• Many of the resources listed here may use restrictive interventions, like active rescues, wellness or welfare checks, involving law enforcement or emergency services. You can ask if this is a possibility at any point in your conversation if this is a concern for you.
• If you're only seeking information on resources available in your community, not immediate counseling, call 211 or visit 211 Wisconsin's website.

Helplines

Contact the resources listed below to be connected with someone who can help during a mental health concern.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Everyone may call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to speak with a trained counselor for any issue.

Veterans Crisis Line

Veterans and their families may call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net to speak with a trained counselor for any issue.

HOPELINE

Everyone may text HOPELINE to 741741 to connect with a trained counselor for any issue.

Farmer Wellness Helpline

Wisconsin farmers may call 888-843-4564 to connect with a trained counselor for any issue.

The Trevor Project

LGTBQ young people may call 866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or chat at TheTrevorProject.org to speak with a trained counselor for any issue.

Disaster Distress Helpline

Everyone may call or text 800-985-5990 to connect with a trained counselor about stress caused by natural or human-caused disasters.

Warmlines are operated by peers, people with life experiences similar to yours. They listen without judgment and use their training and own experiences to help you steer clear of a mental health crisis before it happens. There are many warmlines in Wisconsin. All warmlines are non-emergency sources of support.

NOTE: Some warmlines may not answer your call immediately. You may be asked to leave a voicemail and wait for a call back.

Available to all state residents
534-202-5438 (Operated by UpliftWI, a service of Mental Health America of Wisconsin)

Available to all state veterans
262-336-9540 (Operated by The R&R House Peer-Run Respite)

Difference between 211, 988, and 911

There are many three-digit calling codes for help in Wisconsin. The "In Wisconsin, Help is 3 Numbers Away" infographic can help you understand the difference between 211, 988, and 911. It is available in English, Spanish, and Hmong.

• English (PDF)
• Spanish (PDF)
• Hmong (PDF)