Crisis Counseling

Dear neighbors,

The County is now offering a new 24/7, text-based crisis counseling service to the community. Emotionally or mentally distressed residents in Santa Clara County can receive text-based support from trained Crisis Text Line counselors by texting “RENEW” to 741741. The support is free, accessible 24/7 and confidential.

The County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department has partnered with Crisis Text Line, Inc. to provide free, text-based, confidential assistance to people in need in our community. To date, Crisis Text Line, a national organization, has answered more than 84 million messages. The organization has more than 4,500 active Crisis Counselors with strict safeguards and protocols to provide care, safety, and confidentiality for each user.

Offering text-based support to people in need adds a new dimension to Behavioral Health services and is an especially important tool to offer to young people in Santa Clara County. Text-based counseling is easy and approachable.

The County’s Behavioral Health Services Department already offers a 24/7, free, confidential Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 1 (855) 278-4204, mental health services information and referrals at 1 (800) 704-0900, and substance abuse services information and referrals at 1 (800) 488-9919.

Community members can also become volunteer Crisis Counselors themselves. More information is available at www.crisistextline.org/volunteer.