SAMHSA National Helpline
Best for: Someone who knows they need treatment or support for drinking, drugs, or a mental health issue but has no idea where to find it locally.
What is SAMHSA National Helpline?
This is a federal referral line, not a crisis line in the 988 sense — you call, describe what's going on (drinking, drugs, depression, a mix), and someone points you to treatment and support groups near you, in English or Spanish. It runs 24/7, confidential, and won't ask for your name or insurance card. Where it earns its keep is the referral part: if you don't know where to look for a counselor or program, this does that legwork on the phone. It won't talk you through a crisis the way 988 will — think front desk of the treatment system, not the emergency exit. TTY access is built in for anyone who's deaf or hard of hearing.
Platforms and pricing
- Platforms
- Not an app — phone line, service, or in-person organization
- Pricing
- Free. Call 1-800-662-4357 (1-800-662-HELP); TTY 1-800-487-4889.
- Category
- Crisis support
Facts checked against the official site (samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline) on 2026-07-04. Pricing and features change; if something above is out of date, tell us.