TAMPA, Fla. — The holiday season can be a difficult time, but there are free resources available in the Tampa Bay area and around the country you can use to help.
988
This is the phone number for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can call, text or use the chat feature on the website to talk to a counselor.
The lifeline is available 24/7, free and completely confidential.
"Our skilled, judgment-free counselors are here to provide compassionate support. You deserve to feel heard and cared about anytime, anywhere, 24/7/365," the website says.
Crisis Text Line
You can text "HELLO" to 741741 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the U.S. to be connected with a crisis counselor to provide support and information
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-TALK (8255) is the number for the Veterans Crisis Line. If you call, press 1 or text 838255.
It is a free, confidential resource that connects veterans 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a trained responder. The service is available to all veterans, even if they are not registered with the VA or enrolled in VA healthcare.
National Disaster Distress Helpline
This provides immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
The number is 1-800-985-5990 and is free, multilingual and available around the clock.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522.
National Child Abuse Hotline
Call 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453)
National Sexual Assault Hotline
The number to call is 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Hotline
This is a confidential, free, around-the-clock information service for people facing mental and/or substance use disorders. The service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups and community-based organizations.
Eleos
Eleos is a nonprofit that provides a range of mental health services from crisis intervention to ongoing support.
You can go on their website to see what services they offer. They also have a 24-hour suicide hotline at 727-791-3131.
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Inc.
The number for this center is 211 with trained counselors who can assist people struggling with situations including sexual assault or abuse, domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, medical emergency, suicidal thoughts and other emotional or situational distress.
You can go onto their website and choose from a drop-down list of items about what you would like help with. Or, you can speak to someone about how to help someone you know.
Tampa Bay Thrives
This organization is a nonprofit that launched a "Let's Talk" support line providing free, confidential mental health support around the clock at 844-YOU-OKAY (968-6529)
