NEED HELP? Support and Crisis Resources
Living with ME can be extremely difficult. #MEAction strives to create spaces of support.
Everyone at #MEAction cares deeply about the individuals in our community. We fight for your health in advocacy and scientific spaces, but we also want you to know that you are loved, supported, and valued.
Joining a group is a great way to get more deeply involved in #MEAction and the movement for equality. We have groups for patient support, caregiver support, advocacy groups and social/affinity groups. Whether you are an artist, a parent, a senior, a young person, a clinician, researcher or an ally, there are so many ways to get involved online and in your local community.
Click here for more information: https://www.meaction.net/groups/
If you are someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, please see the resources below:
Most of our groups are on Facebook, and Facebook has created a robust, global list of suicide prevention resources:
- United States
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
http://www.facebook.com/800273talk/ (chat support)
1 800 273 TALK (8255)
Veteran/Military Crisis Line (for active U.S. service members, veterans, and family members)
http://www.veteranscrisisline.net
1 800 273 8255
SMS: 838255
The Trevor Project (for LGBT youth, friends and family members)
http://www.thetrevorproject.org
1 866 488 7386
The Trans Lifeline (added by #MEAction – not originally part of Facebook’s list)
Crisis Text Line
http://www.facebook.com/crisistextline (chat support)
SMS: Text “HERE” to 741-741
- Worldwide
Befrienders
- Canada
Kids Help Phone (for youth under 20)
1-800-668-6868
For people over 20, find a crisis center that serves your area:
http://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line
1-855-242-3310 (toll-free, 24 hours)
The Trans Lifeline (added by #MEAction – not originally part of Facebook’s list)
- United Kingdom
Samaritans
116 123
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
0800 068 41 41 (weekdays 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, weekends 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Bank Holidays 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM)
SMS: 07786 209 697
- Ireland
Samaritans
116 123
Pieta House – Suicide and Self-harm Crisis Center
1800 247 247 (24 hour Freephone helpline)
SMS: Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply)
Jigsaw – the National Center for Youth Mental Health
01-4727 010
- Germany
Telefonseelsorge
http://www.telefonseelsorge.de
https://chat.telefonseelsorge.org (chat support)
0800 111 0 111
0800 111 0 222
Nummer gegen Kummer
https://www.nummergegenkummer.de
0800 111 0 550 (adults)
0800 111 0 333 (teens)
- Argentina
Hablemos de Todo
http://www.hablemosdetodo.gob.ar
- Australia
Lifeline Australia
13 11 14
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
Headspace (ages 12-25)
beyondblue
http://bb.org.au/1lmergR (email any time or chat online between 3:00 PM – midnight AET)
1300 22 4636
- Austria
Rat auf Draht
147
- Belgium
Centrum Ter Preventie Van Zelfdoding
1813
Centre de Prévention du Suicide
http://www.preventionsuicide.be
0800 32 123
- Brazil
CVV
http://www.cvv.org.br/chat.php (chat support)
141
- Bulgaria
Национален център за безопасен интернет (Bulgarian Safer Internet Center)
124123
Национална телефонна линия за деца (National Child Helpline)
116 111
- Chile
Todo Mejora
https://todomejora.org/apoyo/ (email or chat support)
- Croatia
HRABRI Telefon (for teens)
https://www.facebook.com/HrabriTelefon/
116 111 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
- Czech Republic
Linka bezpečí
116 111
Pražská linka důvěry
222 580 697
Linka důvěry Ostrava
http://www.mnof.cz/linka_duvery
596 618 908
737 267 939
Linka duševní tísně Most
http://www.mostknadeji.eu/linka-dusevni-tisne
476 701 444 (from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
Skype: ldt.most
Linka důvěry DKC
241 484 149
Skype: ld_dkc
- Denmark
Livslinien
70 201 201 (11:00-23:00 daily)
BørneTelefonen
https://bornetelefonen.dk/ring
116 111 (11:00-23:00 daily)
- Estonia
MTÜ Peaasjad
http://peaasi.ee/kysi-noustajalt/ (online counseling)
https://www.facebook.com/Peaasi.ee/
- Finland
Suomen Mielenterveysseura
http://www.mielenterveysseura.fi
010 195 202
- France
S.O.S Amitié
09 72 39 40 50
Net Ecoute (for teens)
0 800 200 000
- Ghana
Step To Life Foundation Ghana
0244239629
- Greece
Suicide Prevention Centre Klimaka NGO
1018
Hamogelo (for teens under 18)
http://www.hamogelo.gr/37.1/Ethnikh-thlefonikh-grammh-gia-ta-poidia-SOS-1056
1056
- Hong Kong
The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong (香港撒瑪利亞防止自殺會)
http://www.help4suicide.com.hk
2389 2222
The Samaritans Hong Kong (香港撒瑪利亞會)
2896 0000
- Hungary
LESZ
http://www.sos-116-123.eoldal.hu/
https://www.facebook.com/eOldal.hu/
116 123
Kek Vonal
http://www.kek-vonal.hu/index.php/hu/lelkisegely-vonal
http://www.kek-vonal.hu/index.php/hu/interaktiv-kapcsolatok
116-111
- Iceland
Rauði krossinn (Red Cross)
https://www.raudikrossinn.is/polski
https://www.facebook.com/raudikrossinn/
1717 (open 24/7)
- India
AASRA
91-22-27546669
iCall
022-25521111
- Israel
ERAN
1201
SAHAR
http://www.sahar.org.il (Hebrew)
http://www.sahar.org.il/?categoryId=63068 (Arabic)
- Italy
Telefono Azzurro (for teens under 18)
http://consulenzaonline.azzurro.it/xchatty/chat.html (chat support)
19696
Telefono Amico
199 284 284
- Japan
Tokyo Suicide Prevention Center（東京自殺防止センター)
http://www.befrienders-jpn.org/
03-5286-9090 (open year round from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM / (Tuesday only) from 5:00 PM to 6:00 AM)
Inochi-no-Denwa（日本いのちの電話連盟)
http://www.inochinodenwa.org/lifeline.php
0570-783-556 (Navi dial from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
- Kenya
Befrienders Kenya
https://www.befrienderskenya.org (chat support)
Call or text +254 722178177 (from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
Call or text +254 736542304 (from 7: 00 AM to 9:00 PM)
- Latvia
Skalbes
371 67222922 (from 9:00 to 17:00)
371 27722292 (from 9:00 to 17:00)
- Lithuania
Lithuanian Association of Emotional Support Lines
Vaikų Linija (Child line)
116 111 (from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
Jaunimo Linija (Youth line)
http://www.jaunimolinija.lt/laiskai/
8 800 28888
Vilties Linija (Hope line)
http://www.kpsc.lt/vilties_linija.html
116 123
Pagalbos Moterims Linija (Women’s line)
8 800 66366 (from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
Linija Doverija (Trust Line)
8 800 77277 (Monday – Friday, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM)
- Luxembourg
SOS Détresse – Hëllef iwwer Telefon
454545
Kanner-Jugendtelefon
116 111
- Mexico
Instituto Hispanoamericano de Suicidologia, A.C
+5255 46313300
Decide Vivir México, A.C.
- Netherlands
113
0900-0113 (free, anonymous 24 hour hotline)
- New Zealand
Depression Hotline
0800 111 757
The Lowdown
SMS: 5626
Youthline
0800 376 633
SMS: 234
Lifeline Aotearoas Suicide Prevention Helpline
0508 828 865
- Nigeria
Nigeria Suicide Prevention Initiative – NSPI
http://www.facebook.com/nspinitiative/
+234 (0)809210643
- Norway
Kirkens SOS
http://www.soschat.no/chat (chat support)
224 00 040 (from 11:00 to 23:00)
Mental Helse Hjelpetelefonen
116 123
Sidetmedord.no
http://www.sidetmedord.no (chat support)
ROS –Rådgivning om spiseforstyrrelser
http://www.facebook.com/nettros.no (chat support)
948 17 818
- Poland
Telefon Zaufania dla Dzieci i Młodzieży (for children and youth)
http://www.116111.pl/napisz (chat support)
116 111
- Portugal
SOS VOZ AMIGA
21 354 45 45 (16h-24h)
91 280 26 69 (16h-24h)
96 352 46 60 (16h-24h)
- Romania
Alianta Romana de Preventie a Suicidului
https://www.facebook.com/Alianta-Romana-de-Preventie-a-Suicidului-156170394409923/
0800801200 (from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM)
- Russia
ROCIT (for youth)
https://www.facebook.com/rocit.ru/
Your Territory (for youth under 23)
https://www.facebook.com/tvoyaterritoria.online/
8 800 2000 122
- Serbia
Centar Srce
0800 300 303
- Singapore
Samaritans of Singapore (新加坡援人協會)
1800 221 4444
- Slovakia
Linka detskej istoty (24/7 helpline for children and youth under 18)
http://www.ldi.sk (chat support between 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
116 000
Linka detskej dôvery
https://www.linkadeti.sk/linka-detskej-dovery (chat support)
055/234 72 72
Skype: linkadeti
Linka dôvery (for adults)
055/622 23 23 (Monday – Friday, 7:30 – 19:30 and nonstop Saturday – Sunday)
Linka nádeje (for adults)
055/644 11 55 (Monday – Friday, 7:30 – 19:30, nonstop Saturday – Sunday)
Liga za duševné zdravie (for adults)
https://www.dusevnezdravie.sk/online-poradna/
02/638 15592
IPčko
0907 404 291
- South Africa
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)
0800 567 567
0800 70 80 90
0800 12 13 14
SMS: 31393
LifeLine offers free counselling and 24-hour telephonic counselling for anyone requires support with a range of emotional and trauma related issues. They have services in JHB and CPT
Counselling line: 0861 322 322
WhatsApp line: 065 989 9238
JHB: http://www.lifelinejhb.org.za/
WC: http://www.lifelinewc.org.za/
South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)
SADAG is South Africa’s most loved mental health advocacy group. They offer free telephonic counselling sessions between 08:00 to 20:00, a 24-hour crisis line, and facilitate support groups around the country.
Suicide Crisis Line
0800 567 567
TherapyRoute
TherapyRoute connects people to nearby mental health services, e.g. psychologists, social workers, community clinics, NGO’s, and psychiatric hospitals throughout South Africa.
Cape Town
Cape Mental Health Society
Cape Mental Health Society is a mental health advocacy group that provides or facilitates comprehensive, pro-active and enabling mental health services in the Western Cape.
http://www.capementalhealth.co.za
Hope House Counselling Centre
Hope House is a Cape Town based Christian organisation that offers therapy for trauma, mental illness, relationship problems, family problems, and suicide thoughts. They have centers Bergvliet, Tableview, and Kuilsrivier.
Durban
Grace Counselling
Grace Counselling is Christian-based organisation that provides therapeutic assistance for mental health and spiritual related issues. They are based in the north of Durban but link other churches throughout Durban.
http://www.gracecounselling.org.za/
Johannesburg
iThemba rape and trauma support centre
The iThemba rape and trauma support centre is dedicated to offering comprehensive care for the survivors of traumatic events, as well as their family and friends.
http://ithembasupport.org.za/wp/
TEARS sexual abuse counselling
TEARS Foundation provides access to crisis intervention, advocacy, counselling, and prevention education services for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse.
Helpline: *134*7355#
Landline: 010 590 5920
Port Elizabeth
Revive Counselling Centre
Revive offers free counselling for depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and dealing with traumatic experiences. They are based in Port Elizabeth and offer a Wednesday walk in centre. Call to make an appointment for other days.
- South Korea
HopeClick
중앙자살예방센터 (Korea Suicide Prevention Center)
+82 2-2203-0053
보건복지부 보건복지콜센터 (Ministry of Health & Welfare Call Center)
129 (24시간 위기상담 / 24 hour hotline)
정신건강증진센터 정신건강위기상담전화 (Mental Health Center Crisis Counseling)
1577-0199 (24시간 위기상담 / 24 hour hotline)
- Spain
Teléfono de la Esperanza
http://telefonodelaesperanza.org
717 003 717
- Sweden
Mind
https://mind.se/sjalvmordslinjen/ (chat support)
90101
- Switzerland
Tel 143
https://www.143.ch/Beratung/Chat-Kontakt (chat support)
143
- Taiwan
Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center (台灣自殺防治中心)
0800 788 995
- Ukraine
Ла Страда-Украина (La Strada Ukraine)
0 800 500 335 (free calls from fixed and mobile phones all over Ukraine)
386 (free from mobile phones)
National Child Toll-Free Hotline (Monday – Friday 12:00 – 20:00, Saturdays 12:00 – 16:00)
0 800 500 225 (free calls from fixed and mobile phones all over Ukraine)
116 111 (free from mobile phones)
If someone you know is having suicidal thoughts:
These adapted Suicide Prevention Hotline highlights tips may be helpful when talking to someone who may be suicidal:
- Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.
- Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
- Be non-judgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or whether feelings are good or bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life.
- Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
- Don’t dare him or her to do it.
- Don’t act shocked. This will put distance between you.
- Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support. Don’t take on more than you can handle. You must also take care of yourself. Team up with another online support group member to be there for the person struggling.
- Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.
- Get help from people or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
- Most of all, no matter what happens, remember that ultimately the decision is with the individual. All you can do is provide support. Although good support and a listening ear can go a long way in a crisis, even trained mental health and medical professionals may not be able to stop a determined person from ending their lives if they have decided to do so. We promote a place of love and grace for everyone.
- Be clear that you are not qualified to provide professional or medical advice, and gently encourage the individual to consider doing so.
We recognize that news of any loss in our community, whether by suicide or other causes, can be devastating for a community that is already dealing with grief and loss about their own illness on a daily basis, and in need of hope and support. At the same time, many community members will already be grieving this person’s lost and will want a space to honor, remember, and find support.
It also important to minimize talking about suicide in a way that may contribute to another suicide. Why is this important? According to reportingonsuicide.org:
- “Risk of additional suicides increases when the story explicitly describes the suicide method, uses dramatic/graphic headlines or images, and repeated/extensive coverage sensationalizes or glamorizes a death.”
At the same time:
- “Covering suicide carefully, even briefly, can change public misperceptions and correct myths, which can encourage those who are vulnerable or at risk to seek help.”
For this reason, when #MEAction shares news of the loss of a community members on social media or when any participant does the same, the participant abide by these do’s and don’ts:
- Do not shame anyone who has chosen to end their life early or shame their families. While we as individuals may have strong feelings about suicide as a concept, remember that the individual who died was a person with friends, family, hobbies, and history who lost a long, hard fight. Please help honor their memory.
- Do not gossip or speculate on the cause of death if the family has not released it. Consider the pain it might cause them to read about strangers about their loved one on social media. Suicide can unfortunately, have a contagious effect.
- Don’t sensationalize the event or place “suicide” in the headline/title. (In headlines, “dies” is appropriate.) Rather say “Our friend, Jane Smith, has passed away” OR “Celebrity dead at 27.”
- Avoid exact details on locations and methods.
- Avoid photos or videos of the location or method of death, and of grieving family and friends or memorial services. Use instead photographs of the individual who has died.
- Avoid sharing information from suicide notes about motives.
- Don’t oversimplify. Suicide is complex and often has many factors. It is almost certainly inaccurate to cite a single cause as, for example, “recent money woes” or “a fight with a spouse.”
- Respect privacy. Be careful sharing information from closed Facebook groups or private Facebook pages that may not be meant to be shared publicly. Be sensitive to the fact that family members may see your posts about their loved one’s suicide.
- Avoid linking to mainstream press articles that violate the content or spirit of these guidelines
- Do link to Facebook’s list of suicide prevention resources or other local prevention resources whenever posting about suicide. On Twitter, use threads to help accommodate the additional information
- Do use this standard language: We are grieving the loss of a community member, (Insert name). We are so sad for this loss. We will honor their life by continuing to fight for the rights with those with ME and CFS and push our governments to give funding to one day find a cure.
3 thoughts on “NEED HELP? Support and Crisis Resources”
This is for the admin only. Thanks for putting together such a comprehensive list! This is critical information. Please know that trans folks often do not feel well served in LGB(+T) organizations. We have a long history of being marginalized in gay/queer worlds and some trans/non-binary folks are hesitant to reach out to LGBT orgs, even if they do a good job of supporting T folks too. Here’s a link to Trans Lifeline: https://www.translifeline.org. They serve US/Canada. I’d love to see this resource included alongside the Trevor Project.
Thank you ME Action for this impressive and necessary list of resources. I’d like to add one, if not to the document, then here in the comments. It’s the Trans Lifeline. Trans and gender diverse people with ME/CFS have specific concerns and struggles that mean a peer-led resource would be quite impactful and perhaps save a life.
US: 877-565-8860
Canada: 877-330-6366
Thank you for this help list. I’d also like to extend it by adding these South African resources.
Links to National Mental Health Resources
LifeLine
LifeLine offers free counselling and 24-hour telephonic counselling for anyone requires support with a range of emotional and trauma related issues. They have services in JHB and CPT
Counselling line: 0861 322 322
WhatsApp line: 065 989 9238
JHB: http://www.lifelinejhb.org.za/
WC: http://www.lifelinewc.org.za/
South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)
SADAG is South Africa’s most loved mental health advocacy group. They offer free telephonic counselling sessions between 08:00 to 20:00, a 24-hour crisis line, and facilitate support groups around the country.
Suicide Crisis Line
0800 567 567
http://www.sadag.org
TherapyRoute
TherapyRoute connects people to nearby mental health services, e.g. psychologists, social workers, community clinics, NGO’s, and psychiatric hospitals throughout South Africa.
https://www.therapyroute.com/
Cape Town
Cape Mental Health Society
Cape Mental Health Society is a mental health advocacy group that provides or facilitates comprehensive, pro-active and enabling mental health services in the Western Cape.
http://www.capementalhealth.co.za
Hope House Counselling Centre
Hope House is a Cape Town based Christian organisation that offers therapy for trauma, mental illness, relationship problems, family problems, and suicide thoughts. They have centers Bergvliet, Tableview, and Kuilsrivier.
https://hopehouse.org.za/
Durban
Grace Counselling
Grace Counselling is Christian-based organisation that provides therapeutic assistance for mental health and spiritual related issues. They are based in the north of Durban but link other churches throughout Durban.
http://www.gracecounselling.org.za/
Johannesburg
iThemba rape and trauma support centre
The iThemba rape and trauma support centre is dedicated to offering comprehensive care for the survivors of traumatic events, as well as their family and friends.
http://ithembasupport.org.za/wp/
TEARS sexual abuse counselling
TEARS Foundation provides access to crisis intervention, advocacy, counselling, and prevention education services for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse.
Helpline: *134*7355#
Landline: 010 590 5920
https://www.tears.co.za/
Port Elizabeth
Revive Counselling Centre
Revive offers free counselling for depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and dealing with traumatic experiences. They are based in Port Elizabeth and offer a Wednesday walk in centre. Call to make an appointment for other days.
http://www.revive.org.za/