If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For mental health crisis support, call or text 988 — available 24/7, free, and confidential. This page provides informational resources only and is not a substitute for professional emergency services.
Crisis & Mental Health
Support Resources
Public service is demanding. Nursing, corrections, military service, and civil service careers carry unique stressors that the general population rarely understands. These resources exist for you — and for the people you care about.
Free, Confidential, 24/7 Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text: 988
24/7, 365 days a year
The national suicide and crisis lifeline connects you with trained counselors who can help with suicidal thoughts, mental health crises, substance use issues, and emotional distress. Free and confidential.
Visit WebsiteCrisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
24/7
Free, confidential crisis counseling via text message. Ideal when you cannot speak aloud or prefer text communication. Trained crisis counselors respond within minutes.
Visit WebsiteVeterans Crisis Line
Call 988, Press 1 · Text 838255
24/7
Dedicated support for veterans, service members, and their families. Staffed by responders — many of whom are veterans themselves — who understand military culture and service-related challenges.
Visit WebsiteSAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357
24/7, Free, Confidential
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline for individuals and families facing mental health or substance use disorders. Provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Visit WebsiteNational Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
1-800-950-6264 · Text NAMI to 741741
Mon–Fri 10am–10pm ET
NAMI provides advocacy, education, support, and public awareness for individuals and families affected by mental illness. The helpline connects callers with trained volunteers for information, referrals, and support.
Visit WebsiteTrevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth)
1-866-488-7386 · Text START to 678-678
24/7
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people under 25. Provides a safe, judgment-free space for young people in crisis.
Visit WebsiteNational Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233 · Text START to 88788
24/7
Confidential support for anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. Available in 200+ languages.
Visit WebsitePostpartum Support International
1-800-944-4773
Mon–Fri 9am–9pm ET
Support for women and families experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, and related mental health challenges. Provides referrals to local providers and peer support.
Visit WebsiteAddiction Helplines & Recovery Resources
Addiction — whether to substances, gambling, tobacco, or other behaviors — is a medical condition, not a moral failure. These resources are free, confidential, and available now. Public servants and healthcare workers face elevated rates of substance use and burnout. You are not alone, and help is available.
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357 (HELP)
24/7, Free, Confidential
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline provides free, confidential treatment referrals and information for individuals and families facing substance use or mental health disorders. Available in English and Spanish.
Visit ResourceFindTreatment.gov
findtreatment.gov
Online, 24/7
SAMHSA's confidential treatment locator for substance use and mental health disorders. Search by ZIP code for nearby programs — inpatient, outpatient, residential, and medication-assisted treatment.
Visit ResourceCA DHCS Substance Use Referral Line
1-800-879-2772
24/7
California Department of Health Care Services automated referral line for non-emergency substance use disorder treatment. Connects callers to licensed and certified treatment programs across California.
Visit ResourceCalifornia Problem Gambling Helpline
1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
24/7, Free, Confidential
California's official problem gambling helpline, staffed by master's-level counselors. Also available by text: send 'SUPPORT' to 53342. Serves individuals, families, and loved ones affected by gambling addiction.
Visit ResourceNational Council on Problem Gambling Helpline
1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738)
24/7 · Text: 800GAM · Chat online
The national helpline for problem gambling connects callers with trained specialists who can provide crisis support, counseling referrals, and local treatment resources. Confidential and available nationwide.
Visit ResourceKick It California — Free Tobacco Cessation
kickitca.org · 1-800-NO-BUTTS
Phone, text, app, chat — multiple languages
California's free, evidence-based tobacco and nicotine cessation program. Offers one-on-one quit coaching, text programs, and self-help tools. Eligible participants may receive free nicotine patches. Funded by the California Department of Public Health.
Visit ResourceSMART Recovery
smartrecovery.org
Online meetings daily
Science-based addiction recovery support for alcohol, drugs, gambling, and other addictive behaviors. Free in-person and online meetings worldwide. An evidence-based alternative or complement to 12-step programs.
Visit ResourceAlcoholics Anonymous (AA)
aa.org · Find local meetings online
Meetings available 24/7 worldwide
The original peer-support recovery program for alcohol use disorder. Free, anonymous meetings available in-person and online across California and nationwide. No dues, no fees, no requirements.
Visit ResourceNarcotics Anonymous (NA)
na.org · Find local meetings online
Meetings available daily
Peer-support recovery program for drug addiction of all kinds. Free, anonymous, and available in communities across California. Offers a structured 12-step program and fellowship for long-term recovery.
Visit ResourceCA Bridge Program — Opioid Response
californiaopioidresponse.org
Hospital-based, 24/7 access
California's hospital-based opioid treatment program ensures that every hospital in California provides 24/7 access to evidence-based addiction care, including buprenorphine (Suboxone) initiation and bridge to treatment.
Visit ResourceNote for healthcare workers and public servants: California's Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) provides comprehensive substance use disorder treatment to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. State employees may also access confidential counseling through the CalHR Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — a free, confidential benefit available to all California state employees.
Warning Signs of Suicidal Crisis
If you notice these signs in yourself or someone you know, take them seriously. You do not need to be a mental health professional to help — you just need to ask, listen, and connect them to support.
What to do: Ask directly — "Are you thinking about suicide?" Research shows that asking does not plant the idea. It opens the door. Listen without judgment, stay with them, and help them call 988 or get to an emergency room if needed.
California-Specific Support
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
Visit website for local resources
Statewide mental health programs and resources for Californians, including the Each Mind Matters initiative.
→ Visit ResourceLA County Department of Mental Health
1-800-854-7771 (24/7)
Los Angeles County's 24/7 mental health crisis line. Serves LA County residents with crisis intervention, referrals, and support.
→ Visit ResourceSan Francisco Department of Public Health
1-415-970-4000
Mental health crisis services for San Francisco residents, including mobile crisis teams and community-based support.
→ Visit ResourceSacramento County Behavioral Health Services
1-916-875-1055 (24/7)
Crisis intervention, mental health services, and substance use treatment for Sacramento County residents.
→ Visit ResourceCDCR Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Contact your HR/Personnel office
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation employees have access to confidential counseling, crisis support, and mental health referrals through the state EAP. This is a benefit — use it.
→ Visit ResourceResources Built for People Like You
Nurses, correctional officers, veterans, and public servants face unique stressors — including vicarious trauma, moral injury, and institutional burnout. These resources are designed with your experience in mind.
Emotional PPE Project
Connects healthcare workers with licensed mental health professionals who provide free therapy sessions. Created specifically for frontline workers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
→ Visit ResourceAmerican Nurses Association — Well-Being Initiative
Free mental health resources, peer support, and resilience tools specifically for nurses and nursing students.
→ Visit ResourceNurse.com Mental Health Resources
Articles, CE courses, and peer support resources for nurses experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, and workplace stress.
→ Visit ResourceFirst Responder Support Network
Peer support and mental health resources for first responders, including correctional officers and healthcare workers in high-stress institutional environments.
→ Visit ResourceYou Are Not Alone
The same persistence that carried you through a career in public service can carry you through this. But you do not have to carry it alone. Reach out. The resources above are free, confidential, and staffed by people who want to help.
This page is provided for informational purposes only. Civic Mandate, LLC is not a mental health provider, crisis counseling service, or emergency response organization. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The resources listed are independent organizations — Civic Mandate has no affiliation with and does not endorse any specific provider.