You’re Not Alone! Support Hotlines for Youth & Families in Crisis

CASA volunteers build a special relationship with the youth they advocate for and work to keep them safe and cared for, but sometimes, being the best advocate means knowing when the child or family needs more help than you are able to provide.

CASA volunteers are not meant to be crisis counselors, yet there may be situations where a child or family member is in crisis and needs additional, specialized support. In these situations, the best advocacy a volunteer can provide is information on where they can get the support they need.

Texas CASA has created a Lines of Support tri-fold card specifically for youth so that they know support is available 24/7. The pocket-sized card provides contact information for national and state crisis hotlines, such as the National Runaway Safeline, the Texas Abuse Hotline and the Foster Care Ombudsman. CASA programs or volunteers can now order these cards in bulk from the new CASA Marketplace and distribute them to the children and youth they serve. Download a free version here or visit the Mimeo Marketplace to place an order. The price goes down the more cards are ordered.

 If sharing the Lines of Support card with teens, be sure to tell them that these phone numbers might be helpful for them, their friends, or someone they know, and that all the phone numbers and text lines are completely confidential.

We have also compiled below a list of emergency hotlines covering various types of crisis situations that may face teens and adults you work with. These hotlines are staffed by experienced counselors who will be able to assist callers and connect them with professional resources and services. Please keep these somewhere you can easily access and refer back to so that you can share them when needed. Don’t forget that your supervisor is always ready and willing to offer you guidance on your case.

We hope that these resources will help you continue to provide quality advocacy to the children and families you serve. Situations arise for all of us which are beyond our skill and training level, and beyond the scope of CASA advocacy. When a youth or family confides that they are facing significant distress, have experienced trauma, are considering self-harm, or need mental and emotional support, connect them with those professionals who are ready and waiting to help.

If a youth is at risk of running away:

National Runaway Safeline:
1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or text 66008 or visit 1800runaway.org, Español disponible

Texas Youth Helpline:
For peer counseling to youth and family members for family conflicts, delinquency, truancy, abuse, neglect and running away.
Call or text 1-800-989-6884 or chat at https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/youth-helpline/, available 24/7

If a youth has a question, complaint or outcry related to their foster placement:

Texas Foster Care Ombudsman:
For problems with foster care placements, questions or help.
1-844-286-0769 or visit hhs.texas.gov/foster-care-help

If a youth or parent has experienced or is at risk of violence, abuse or trafficking:

Texas Abuse Hotline:
1-800-252-5400 or visit https://www.txabusehotline.org/Login/Default.aspx

RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) Hotline:
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat at rainn.org, Español disponible

National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org, Español disponible
TTY for Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 1-800-787-3224

Darkness to Light – Child Sexual Abuse Hotline:
866-367-5444

National Human Trafficking Hotline:
1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 or chat at humantraffickinghotline.org, Español disponible

If a youth or parent is struggling with substance use:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health National Helpline:
1-800-662-4357, Español disponible, available 24/7
TTY for Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 1-800-487-4889

National Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Information Center:
800-784-6776

Alcoholism Hotline for Teens:
1-800-872-5437

If a youth or parent is having thoughts of suicide:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255, Español disponible
TTY for Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 800-799-4889

If an LGBTQ+ youth or adult is in crisis or needs emotional support:

Trevor Project LGBTQ Lifeline:
866-488-7386 or chat at thetrevorproject.org/help

Trans Lifeline:
For transgender people in crisis, all operators are transgender themselves.
877-565-8860

If a youth or parent is having postpartum issues:

Postpartum Support International Helpline:
1-800-944-4773, Español disponible, or text 503-894-9453, Para Español, enviar un mensaje de texto a 971-420-0294

If a youth or parent is in search of someone in immigrant detention:

National Immigrant Detention Hotline:
For help locating a person in an immigration detention facility.
Available 8 a.m.–10 p.m. on weekdays
209-757-FREE (3733), Español and 60 languages available

Other hotlines for youth in need of support:

Texas Youth Helpline:
For peer counseling to youth and family members for family conflicts, delinquency, truancy, abuse, neglect and running away.
800-989-6884 or text 512-872-5777 or chat at https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Youth_Helpline/, available 24/7

Crisis Text Line:
Text HOME to 741741, available 24/7

Bullying Hotline:
1-866-210-5231, available 24/7

Bingeing and Bulimia Hotline for Teens:
1-866-210-5230

Other hotlines for parents in need of support:

Texas 211
Connects you with resources and services in your area
Dial 211 or visit 211texas.org

Crisis Text Line:
Text HOME to 741741, available 24/7

Family Helpline:
Answered by lawyers with CPS experience who will answer questions and provide legal information anonymously
844-888-6565, available 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. on weekdays, Español and other languages available

National Parent Helpline:
855-427-2736, available 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays

CASA volunteers, thank you all for your commitment to helping children and families feel safe, connected and secure. We hope that these resources will aid you and those you serve in times of crisis.