Helpful Resources for People in Crisis
The staff at all these organizations are there to listen to you without judgement and help you explore your options.
In an emergency, call 911.
Phone numbers and live chats are operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except where noted. For more help resources, please see one of our librarians.
(The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 am–6 pm, ET. This is not a crisis line, but rather for resources and information. Email response time is within 24 hours during weekdays; emails sent over the weekend will be answered Monday).
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. HelpLine staff and volunteers are prepared to answer your questions about mental health issues including: symptoms of mental health conditions, treatment options, local support groups and services, education programs, helping family members get treatment, programs to help find jobs, and legal issues. NAMI is not a crisis line, but they have a partnership with the Crisis Text Line. Start by texting NAMI to 741741. The Crisis Text Line is available 24/7 in the United States. A live, trained crisis counselor will receive the text and respond quickly.
2NDFLOOR is a confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey’s youth and young adults. They are there to help you find solutions to the problems that you face and are available 24/7 365 days a year. Whether your problem relates to mental health, bullying, body image, sex and sexuality, substance abuse, or really anything, 2NDFLOOR can offer advice and assistance.
If you are worried about your own or a friend’s use of drugs or alcohol, there are treatment options available for teens in New Jersey. For issues like these, Perform Care can talk to those 14 years old and up without the involvement of a guardian. If you are younger or wish to talk to them about other issues, they may encourage you to get a guardian involved.
Planned Parenthood offers general health care, STD testing, treatment and vaccines, abortion services, birth control, LGBT services, men and women’s health care, morning-after pills (emergency contraception), and pregnancy testing and services. You will not be turned away because of your inability to pay.
The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is there to listen whether you are thinking of running away, already have, or if you were forced out of your home. Their services are confidential and nonjudgmental. They can arrange travel to get back home if you choose, or a safe space to stay if you cannot return.
Teen Connect provides support, resources, and hope to young people through a non-crisis line of professionally trained teens thatdestigmatize and normalize mental health.
