It all started with a text, a cry for help. And one organization responded by opening a nationwide Crisis Text Line for people in pain.

More than 17 million text messages later, Crisis Text Line is helping people handle addiction, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, sexual abuse and other issues that require peer counseling.

Nurse Nan Krafft and crisis volunteer Ellen Castor join hosts Rebecca Stewart and Hartford HealthCare President and CEO Elliot Joseph, along with clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Saunders from Hartford Hospital’s Institute of Living,to talk about how it works. (Listen to the podcast below.)

What You Should Know

Q: WHAT NUMBER SHOULD I TEXT IN A CRISIS?
A: It’s 741741. (You cannot text 911.)

Q: WHO SHOULD TEXT IN?
A: Anyone in crisis at any time.

Q: WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I TEXT IN?
A: You’ll receive an automated text asking you what your crisis is. Within minutes, a live trained crisis counselor will answer your text. They will help you out of your moment of crisis and work with you to create a plan to continue to feel better.

Q: IS CRISIS TEXT LINE ACTUALLY ANONYMOUS?
A: Yes. Crisis counselors only know what texters share with them, and that information stays confidential. We take your anonymity seriously.

Q: HOW MUCH DOES CRISIS TEXT LINE COST?
A: We do not charge texters. If your cell phone plan is with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon, texts to our short code, 741741 are free of charge. If you have a plan with a different carrier, standard text message rates apply.

Q: WILL CRISIS TEXT LINE SHOW UP ON MY CELLPHONE BILL?
A: Nothing will appear on your bill if your cell phone plan is with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint or Verizon. If your plan is with another carrier our short code, 741741 will appear on your billing statement. Read about how this happened here.

Q: WILL CRISIS TEXT LINE WORK WITH MY PHONE?
A: Crisis Text Line works on all major US carriers, and most minor regional carriers. However, shortcodes (like 741741) are not allowed on many prepaid plans like T-Mobile’s.

Source: Crisis Text Line