If you or a loved one is experiencing or affected by a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis, please call or text ‘988’ (or chat online on 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s website) for free, confidential, and immediate help. (Learn more about the recently launched 988 Lifeline.)
UPDATE (July 2024): Please note that our Help Line options have changed with the addition and integration of new call center services.
For mental health resources and support, please call
our 24/7 Help Line at (800) 854-7771
The LACDMH Help Line serves as the primary entry point for behavioral health resources; services provided by our Help Line staff include:
- ACCESS Line for Service Referrals, Crisis Assessments and Field Deployments – available 24/7
- Mental health screening and assessment
- Referral to a service provider
- Crisis counseling
- Mobilizing field response teams
- Linkages to well-being services and resources
- Substance Abuse Service Hotline (SASH) for substance use disorder services and resources from the Department of Public Health – available 24/7
- Emotional Support Warm Line with Trained Active Listeners – available 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
- Veteran Line for Mental Health Support and Connection to Veteran Programs – available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Those with hearing or speech disabilities may use their preferred relay service or call 711 to connect with our Help Line. With 711, please ask the operator – who will serve as the interpreter between the caller and our staff – to call our Help Line at (800) 854-7771. For additional resources to help those living with disabilities, refer to this resource guide developed by our Access for All UsCC.
Help us spread the word about this important resource. View/download our Help Line toolkit here. (Note: update to come for this toolkit to reflect new Help Line options.)
Additional helplines and resources:
Please note the below resources are not directly operated by LACDMH
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
A national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7 throughout the U.S. via phone call, text messaging, or online chat. (Please note that the previous phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 will remain operational.) - Crisis Text Line: Text “LA” to 741741
Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free crisis support via text message. - Disaster Distress Helpline: (800) 985-5990
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline provides crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. - Trevor Project Lifeline: (800) 788-7386
The TrevorLifeline provides support to LGBTQ youths and allies in crisis or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk. - Substance Abuse Service Helpline: (844) 804-7500
Operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, this hotline provides screening, resources and service referrals regarding substance use disorders. - 211 LA County: Dial 2-1-1 within Los Angeles County
211 LA County is the hub for all types of health, human and social services in Los Angeles County, providing callers with information and referrals to the services that best meet their needs. - Los Angeles Homeless Outreach Portal (LA-HOP)
Operated by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), LA-HOP is designed to assist people experiencing homelessness by dispatching homeless outreach teams throughout Los Angeles County. - L.A. Found: (833) 569-7651 or LAFound@ad.lacounty.gov
L.A. Found is a countywide initiative to help locate individuals who wander due to dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism or other cognitive impairments. Watch this video to learn more about L.A. Found. - Family Urgent Response System (FURS)– call or text 1-833-939-FURS (3877) or visit CAL-FURS.ORG
FURS is a free 24/7/365 hotline for current or former foster youth (up to age 21) and their caregivers to receive phone, text, chat and/or in-person support when needed for any issues, big or small.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): (800) 950-6264
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. - Los Angeles County NAMI Chapters
