California Community Resources 

State Resources for Students

The California Department of Health Care Services has two free online behavioral health services platforms to support the mental health of youth and caregivers:

• BrightLife Kids for caregivers and kids 0-12 years old, and

• Soluna for teens and young adults ages 13-25.

These platforms offer free one-on-one support with live coaches, a library of multimedia resources, wellness exercises, and peer communities moderated by trained behavioral health professionals.

When students and families need extra support, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends the use of warmlines in addition to crisis hotlines. These lines are typically staffed by peers (paid or volunteer) who provide emotional support and comfort that can be used to prevent a crisis during challenging times. Here are some helpful warmlines:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness

• • Call 1 (800) 950-6264

• • Text “Helpline” to 62640

• • This warmline offers peer-support, answers questions, and provides practical resources and next steps. It’s designed for people living with a mental health condition, and for their loved ones and caregivers.

• California Peer-Run Warmline

• • Call or text 1 (855) 600-9276

• • This line provides mental and emotional support. Trained counselors will hold space, listen and support individuals so they can get help to identify the path forward.

Resources by Topic

The following hotline numbers and websites can be used in a crisis, or whenever you need more information to address student concerns.

Child Abuse

Childhelp Hotline, call 1 (888) 422-4453 to report child abuse, talk to a counselor, or live chat for help. This website also has resources available to help identify abuse and neglect, and to help teens, parents, and survivors of abuse.

Use this California Department of Social Services link to find your specific county’s phone number if you need to report child abuse.

Dating Violence & Domestic Abuse

National Domestic Violence Hotline

• Call 1 (800) 799-SAFE (7233)

• Chat live on the website
• Text START to 88788

Self-Harm or Cutting

SAFE Alternatives, 1 (800) 366-8288

Self-Harm Crisis Text Line, text 741741

Eating Disorders

National Eating Disorder Association Hotline 1 (800) 931-2237 (Not 24-hour support)

National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline 1 (866) 662-1235 (9 am-7 pm EST weekdays)

LGBTQ+ Support

LGBT National Help Center (11 am- 9 pm M-F, 9 am- 2 pm Sat. PST)

• Hotline, 1 (888) 843-4564

• Coming Out Support Line, 1 (888) 688-5428

• Youth Talkline, 1 (800) 246-7743

The Trevor Project, immediate crisis support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• Live chat on the website

• Text START to 678-678

• Call 1 (866) 488-7386

Victims of Human Trafficking

National Human Trafficking Hotline

• Live chat on the website

• Text (BeFree) or 233733

• Call 1 (888) 373-7888

L.A. District Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Resource Guide

Veteran & Military Family Support

National Military Family Association

Military & Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online.

This line serves veterans, their families and friends, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them.

Health Concerns

Planned Parenthood

Grief & Loss

National Alliance for Children's Grief, enter your zip code for local resources.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline, 1 (800) 950-6264

Runaways 

National Runaway Safeline, 1 (800) 786-2929, or 1 (800) RUNAWAY, call, text, live chat or email. Someone is available via phone 24 hours a day.

Substance Abuse

U.S. National Resources and Emergency Substance Abuse Hotline 1 (800) 662-4357 (HELP)

Alateen and Al-Anon support meetings for friends and family of those struggling with the effects of someone else’s drinking.

Nar-Anon support meetings for family and friends of addicts.