Disclaimer

This site is not monitored 24/7. Comments are not looked at continuously–and this is not a place to post for immediate or crisis help.

Emergency Numbers in Times of Crisis

While this site is a supportive environment for parents whose adult children have abandoned them, it is not intended or equipped to help those in imminent danger. Below, I’ve listed emergency numbers as well as national hotlines for several countries.

Important: If you are seriously considering ending your life or causing serious harm to yourself, please call your national emergency number immediately and seek help.

USA and Canada — Dial 911

United Kingdom — Dial 999 or 112

South Africa — Dial 10111 ir 10177

Australia — Dial 000

New Zealand — Dial 111

Crisis Support

Most countries have hotlines and services to help in times of crisis. Counselors help around the clock. Often you can phone, text, or email (depending on your preference).

If you find the grief overwhelming and you are contemplating suicide, harming yourself, or do not know where to turn for help, please call a crisis hotline.  Someone on the other end of the line will listen, offer comfort, and put you in contact with local resources.  Below are some crisis prevention hotlines from around the world.

United States

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
24-hour toll-free, confidential hotline and online chat.
Phone: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Textline — 741741.
24-hour textline

Veterans Crisis Line 
24-hour confidential hotline for veterans in crisis, text, and online chat.
Phone: 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)
Text:  83255

Hopeline Crisis and Suicide Hotline 
24-hour confidential support for those in crisis via phone and text
Phone numbers: 1-919-231-4525 and toll-free 1-877-235-4525

Canada

Distress Centre 
Canadian national hotline for those in crisis and at risk for suicide
Phone: 1-403-266-HELP (1-403-266-4357)
TTY (for the hearing impaired): 1-403-543-1967
Email: help@distresscentre.com
Chat: http://www.distresscentre.com/ (5pm-10pm MST daily)

https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/ 
An online listing of local and provincial 24-hour crisis lines across Canada

Suicide Action Montreal 
Support services, crisis workers, and monitoring for those at risk, for their friends and family, and for those left behind from a suicide. Support is in French and English and is available to anyone in Quebec.
Phone: 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)

Australia

Lifeline
Lifeline is a 24-hour, nationwide service providing crisis support, suicide prevention, and mental health support services. Website has an online chat service.
Phone:  13 11 14

Beyond Blue 
Nationwide 24-hour support for anxiety, depression, and suicide. Website offers online chat from 15:00 to 24:00.
Phone:  1300 22 4636

New Zealand

Lifeline Aotearoa  
National organization providing 24-hour counseling and phone help for those at risk of suicide or affected by suicidal thoughts or behaviours. Also provides support for family and friends of those affected.
Phone: 0800 543 354

The Lowdown 
Help dealing with relationships, anxiety, depression, and other issues by emailing through the site  or texting.
Phone: 0800 111 757
Text: 5626

South Africa

Lifeline – Johannesburg
Always available, offering services for trauma, suicide, and abuse.
Phone:  0861 322 322

South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) 
Suicide helpline and a listing of other crisis and suicide help lines throughout the country.
Suicide Emergency Contact: 0800 567 567
Phone:  0800 12 13 14

Lifeline 
24-hour helpline for depression, suicidal thoughts, divorce, domestic violence, eating disorders, grief, family issues, and HIV/AIDS.
Phone:  011 422 4242 or 0861 322 322

United Kingdom

Samaritans 
A registered non-religious charity that provides services to anyone at risk of suicide or in crisis throughout the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
Phone 116 123

LIfeline Northern Ireland
This is the 24-hour helpline for Northern Ireland
Phone: 0808 080 8000

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If you are in another location than those listed above, here is a complete list of crisis and suicide helplines around the world.