Qualified Support & Expert Resources

How to Use These Resources:

Identify the topic or concern, then contact the appropriate helpline or organization. Remain persistent if your first attempt doesn’t succeed—many organizations can provide referrals.

1. Americas

1.1 United States

Mental Health & Crisis

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (dial 988) — 24/7 mental health crisis support.
  • SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Eating Disorders

Extremism & Radicalization

Harassment & Bullying

Addiction & Substance Abuse

  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): aa.org
  • Narcotics Anonymous (NA): na.org

Gambling Addiction

  • National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700

Financial & Investment Scams

Crisis Text & Disaster Lines

  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 — connects with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 — 24/7 emotional support after disasters.

Veterans & Military

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788). thehotline.org
  • RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline): 1-800-656-4673. rainn.org
  • National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-852-6262 (before/during/after pregnancy).
  • National Child Abuse Hotline (Childhelp): 1-800-422-4453.

LGBTQ+ Support

  • The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth): 1-866-488-7386. thetrevorproject.org
  • Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860.

Community & Family

  • NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 (Mon–Fri 10am–10pm ET). nami.org
  • 211 — local food, housing & social services directory. 211.org
  • StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483 (Native Americans & Alaska Natives).

Cults & High-Control Groups

  • ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association) — referrals to cult-aware counselors, support groups for survivors and families: icsahome.com
  • People Leave Cults — intervention specialists, peer support groups, psychoeducation: peopleleavecults.com
  • Lalich Center — expert-led recovery workshops and discussion groups for survivors: lalichcenter.org
  • Freedom of Mind Resource Center — cult recovery coaching and family support: freedomofmind.com

Eating & Body Image

  • National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline: 1-866-662-1235 — referrals to specialized treatment (Mon–Fri, ET; not a 24/7 crisis line). allianceforeatingdisorders.com
  • In crisis, text "ALLIANCE" to 741741 or call/text 988.

Substance Use

  • SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) — free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral.
  • Find treatment near you. findtreatment.gov

Problem Gambling

  • National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 — call, text, or chat, 24/7; supports the person gambling or their family (not a crisis line). ncpgambling.org

Radicalization & Extremism — Family Support

  • Parents for Peace Helpline: 1-844-49-PEACE (1-844-497-3223) — free, confidential family support (Mon–Fri, ET; not a crisis line). parents4peace.org
  • Life After Hate — support for disengaging from violent extremism. lifeafterhate.org

Online Exploitation & Sextortion (urgent)

  • NCMEC CyberTipline: 1-800-843-5678 — report online exploitation, sextortion, or coercion of a minor. report.cybertip.org
  • If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Relationship Abuse & Safety

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788) — 24/7, confidential support for anyone affected by abuse or controlling behaviour. thehotline.org
  • loveisrespect: 1-866-331-9474 (text LOVEIS to 22522) — relationship support for teens and young adults. loveisrespect.org

1.2 Canada

Mental Health & Crisis

  • Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566

Eating Disorders

  • National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC): nedic.ca

Hate Speech & Discrimination

Addiction & Substance Abuse

  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): camh.ca

Crisis Text & Youth

  • 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 9-8-8 — 24/7 bilingual, trauma-informed. 988.ca
  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 (ages 5–29). kidshelpphone.ca

1.3 Latin America

Eating Disorders

  • Comenzar de Nuevo (Mexico & Latin America) — eating disorder helpline & referrals: +52 1 81.1340.0275, comenzardenuevo.org
  • Fundación Bellamente (Argentina) — resources and insurance rights guidance: bellamente.com.ar

Domestic Violence

  • Brazil: Ligue 180 — national women's assistance line (24/7, free, also WhatsApp 61 9610-0180).
  • Argentina: Línea 144 — national domestic violence line (24/7, free).
  • Colombia: Línea 155 — guidance and orientation (24/7).
  • Chile: Línea 1455 — women's helpline (orientation and referrals).
  • Mexico: INMUJERES helpline — contact via: gob.mx/inmujeres

Helplines by Country

Argentina

  • Línea de Prevención del Suicidio: 135 (landlines) or 011-5275-1135 (cell phones).
  • Fundación Aiglé: fundacionaigle.org.ar
  • Cruz Roja Argentina for social & health programs.

Colombia

  • Línea 106 (for children & adolescents), or check local EPS lines.
  • Línea 123 (mental health crisis support, 24/7).

Mexico

Panama

  • Check Ministry of Health (MINSA) for local helplines & clinics.

Chile

  • Salud Responde: 600 360 7777
  • Fono Drogas y Alcohol: 1412

Brazil

  • CVV (Centro de Valorização da Vida): Dial 188
  • Consult public healthcare system (SUS) or local posts for specialized programs.

Peru

  • MINSA Salud Mental: 113 (national health line).

Uruguay

  • SOS Salud Mental: 0800 8483 (toll-free, 24/7).

Venezuela

  • MSAS crisis lines through local health centers (Centro de Salud Mental).
2. Asia

2.1 Japan

Mental Health & Crisis

  • Yorisoi Hotline (よりそいホットライン): 0120-279-338 — free, 24/7, multilingual support.
  • Inochi no Denwa (Japanese Lifeline): 0570-783-556. inochinodenwa.org
  • TELL Lifeline — English-language counseling: 03-5774-0992. telljp.com

Eating Disorders

  • Japan Association for Eating Disorders: jafed.jp

Online Safety & Harassment

  • Illegal & Harmful Information Consultation Center: ihaho.jp

Addiction & Substance Abuse

Gambling Addiction

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

  • DV Consultation Plus: 0120-279-889 — 24/7, multilingual.
  • Sexual assault one-stop support centers: dial #8891 (nationwide).

LGBTQ+ Support

  • Yorisoi Hotline — LGBT line: 0120-279-338 (press the dedicated option).

Youth & Children

  • Childline Japan: 0120-99-7777. childline.or.jp
  • Child abuse hotline: dial 189 (24/7).
3. Oceania

3.1 Australia

Mental Health & Crisis

Eating Disorders

Online Safety & Harassment

  • eSafety Commissioner — report online abuse & image-based harm: esafety.gov.au

Addiction & Substance Abuse

  • National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline: 1800 250 015 — 24/7.

Gambling Addiction

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

LGBTQ+ Support

  • QLife: 1800 184 527 — anonymous LGBTI+ peer support (3pm–midnight). qlife.org.au

Youth & Children

Community & Family

  • SANE Australia: 1800 187 263 — complex mental health support. sane.org

Veterans & Military

  • Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046. openarms.gov.au

3.2 New Zealand

Mental Health & Crisis

  • Need to Talk? — call or text 1737 (free, 24/7). 1737.org.nz
  • Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543 354.
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).

Eating Disorders

  • EDANZ (Eating Disorders Association of NZ): 0800 233 269. ed.org.nz

Online Safety & Harassment

  • Netsafe: 0508 638 723 — online harm & harassment help. netsafe.org.nz

Addiction & Substance Abuse

Gambling Addiction

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

LGBTQ+ Support

  • OUTLine NZ: 0800 688 5463 — all-ages rainbow support (6pm–9pm). outline.org.nz

Youth & Children