If you or someone you love is in crisis right now, don’t wait and don’t try to tough it out. These services are free, confidential, and staffed around the clock — including holidays.
Call or text 988 — the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988 is the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text it any time, day or night. It’s free, confidential, and connects you to a trained counselor. Veterans: call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. Spanish speakers: call 988 and press 2, or text “AYUDA” to 988.
Text HOME to 741741 — the Crisis Text Line
If calling feels too hard, text. Send HOME to 741741 and a live crisis counselor will text back. Free, 24/7, and you don’t have to say a word out loud.
CHCS 24/7 Crisis Helpline: (800) 316-9241
The Center for Health Care Services runs a 24/7 crisis, suicide, and substance abuse helpline for Bexar County — and their Mobile Crisis Outreach Team can come to you in person if the situation needs it.
- Crisis line: (800) 316-9241
- Crisis Care Center (walk-in): 210-246-1300, 601 N Frio St, San Antonio
The Suicide and Crisis Center of San Antonio: (210) 223-7233
Free, confidential counseling and support for anyone in crisis, including suicide prevention and intervention services.
- Call: (210) 223-7233
- Address: 600 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX
For kids and teens in crisis
- Clarity Child Guidance Center runs a 24/7 crisis services department for children ages 3–17: (210) 616-0300, 8535 Tom Slick.
- Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741) is heavily used by teens — no phone call required.
What happens when you call?
A trained counselor answers, listens, and helps you figure out the next step — that might mean talking through the moment, connecting you to a local provider, or dispatching a mobile crisis team. You won’t be judged, you won’t be billed, and in most cases you won’t be forced into anything. Calling is about getting support, not getting in trouble.
If someone else is in danger
If there is an immediate threat to life — someone has acted on a plan or you can’t keep them safe — call 911 and ask for a CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) officer if available. Then follow up with one of the numbers above for ongoing support.
FAQ
Are these services really free? Yes. 988, the Crisis Text Line, and the local crisis centers listed here cost nothing to use. You don’t need insurance.
Will calling 988 send the police to my house? In the vast majority of calls, no. 988 counselors resolve most crises over the phone. Emergency services are only contacted when there is an imminent risk to life that can’t be resolved any other way.
What if I’m not suicidal, just overwhelmed? Call anyway. These lines are for any mental health crisis — panic attacks, overwhelming anxiety, grief, substance use urges. You don’t have to be at your worst to deserve help.
Can I call for someone else? Yes. Every service above accepts calls from family members, friends, and anyone worried about someone.
