If tonight is the bad one, you don’t need to read anything else.
You do not have to be certain. You do not need a plan, a diagnosis, or a good reason. If you’re frightened of your own thoughts, or you’ve started thinking the people around you would be better off, that is enough. Reach one of these now. They’re free, staffed around the clock, and you don’t need insurance.
If you’ve already done something to hurt yourself, or you believe you are minutes rather than hours from it, call 911 or get to an emergency room. Tell someone in the building with you. Don’t wait to see whether the feeling passes on its own tonight.
Crisis & support lines
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988
Call or text 988 · chat at 988lifeline.org. For suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, substance use, or simply needing a person on the other end. You don’t have to be suicidal to call. You can also call about someone else.
Crisis Text Line
HOME → 741741
If speaking out loud is more than you can manage right now, type instead. crisistextline.org
Veterans Crisis Line
988 · press 1
Or text 838255. For veterans, service members, Guard and Reserve, and those who support them. veteranscrisisline.net
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357
Confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. They’ll tell you what exists near you.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
Or text START to 88788. Support for anyone affected — including people concerned about their own behaviour.
RAINN
1-800-656-4673
Sexual assault support, including for male survivors.
The Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386
Or text START to 678678. For LGBTQ+ young people.
211
Dial 211
Local health and human services, including low-cost mental health care.
International crisis lines
findahelpline.com lists verified crisis lines in more than 130 countries.
| Country | Service | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Suicide Crisis Helpline | Call or text 988 |
| United Kingdom & Ireland | Samaritans | 116 123 |
| United Kingdom | CALM — Campaign Against Living Miserably (men-focused) | 0800 58 58 58 |
| Australia | Lifeline | 13 11 14 |
| Australia | MensLine Australia | 1300 78 99 78 |
| New Zealand | Need to talk? | Call or text 1737 |
| Everywhere else | Find A Helpline | findahelpline.com |
Services change. Everything here was accurate as of the Field Guide’s publication — verify before relying on it.
Three things that are true
You don’t have to trust it will get better — only delay while someone helps. This state isn’t permanent, even though it presents itself that way. You are not a burden — that belief is a symptom, not an assessment.
Tonight, practically
Don’t be alone — “I’m having a really bad night, can you come over” is enough. Put distance between yourself and anything you could use to hurt yourself. Don’t drink. Aim only at the next hour.
Worried about someone else?
Stay with him. Ask directly. Call 988 — you can call about another person and they’ll talk you through it. What to do →
I’M GOOD is not a crisis service and cannot provide counselling. We read every message, but we can’t always reply quickly. If you need someone now, please use the lines above.