Someone to talk to: warmlines and friendship lines

Some days you're not in danger. You just haven't heard another voice in a while, or something heavy is sitting on you and there's no one to tell. That is a real need, and there are free lines made for exactly this.

If you ever feel unsafe, go to Need to talk right now? instead.

Crisis lines are fine for loneliness too

Many people think they have to be "bad enough" to call a crisis line. You don't. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline names loneliness among the reasons people reach out. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org (opens in a new tab), any time. For Spanish, press 2 or text AYUDA to 988.

Warmlines

A warmline is a free line for when you are struggling but not in crisis. Many are answered by trained peers: people who have lived with depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges themselves. That can make it easier to feel understood.

• Many U.S. states have at least one warmline, but hours vary. Some are open evenings only, some every day.
• Some take calls only from their own state or county. Others take calls from anywhere.
• NAMI keeps a National Warmline Directory (opens in a new tab) by state, with hours, phone numbers, and whether each one offers text, chat, Spanish or out-of-state calls. Check the line's own website before you call, because details change.

The Friendship Line (60 and over)

The Institute on Aging's Friendship Line (opens in a new tab) is a free, confidential line for:

• adults aged 60 and over,
• adults of any age living with disabilities,
• and caregivers who need emotional support.

Call 1-888-670-1360, any time, day or night. You can call just to chat. It has numbers for several other languages, including Spanish (1-888-571-0411), on its website.

NAMI HelpLine

The NAMI HelpLine (opens in a new tab) gives free information, support and referrals about mental health, for people living with a mental health condition and for their families.

• Call 1-800-950-6264 or text "NAMI" to 62640.
• Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern.
• It is not a crisis line. In a crisis, NAMI says to call or text 988.

211

Dial 211 in most of the U.S. to reach a local, confidential service that connects you with help near you: food, housing, bills, transportation, support groups, senior programs and more. Or search at 211.org (opens in a new tab). 211 is a good call when loneliness comes with practical problems, like being stuck at home without a ride.

Lines for particular groups

• Teens: Teen Line (opens in a new tab) is answered by trained teen volunteers, with adults supervising. Call 1-800-852-8336 from 6 to 10 p.m. Pacific, or text TEEN to 839863 from 6 to 9 p.m. Pacific.
• Veterans, service members and their families: the Vet Center Call Center at 1-877-927-8387 is free, confidential and open around the clock. You can talk about military life, coming home or anything else, and they can connect you to your nearest Vet Center.
• New and expecting parents: the Postpartum Support International HelpLine at 1-800-944-4773 (English and Spanish) offers support and connection to local help. It is not for emergencies.
• LGBTQ+ young people: The Trevor Project, 24/7, at 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.

What to expect when you call

• Someone may not answer right away. Hold music or a short wait is normal, especially in the evening. You can hang up and try later; that's fine too.
• You choose what to share. You don't have to give your full name. You can talk about your day, a memory, the weather or the thing that's really bothering you.
• The person is there to listen, not to fix you. They may ask questions, reflect back what you said, or suggest a resource. They won't lecture you.
• Calls usually have a natural end. Some lines limit call length so others can get through. You can call again another day.

How to start the call

If you freeze up, any of these is enough:

• "Hi. I'm not in danger, I just feel really alone and wanted to talk to someone."
• "I don't really know why I called. It's been a hard week."
• "Is this a good place to talk about feeling lonely?"

Talk lines are a bridge, not the whole road

A friendly voice on the phone can get you through a hard night. Over time, most people also want people they see in person. When you have a bit of energy, look at Small first steps or Support groups and peer support. And if a line helped, it's fine to call again.