National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol Issues | SAMHSA

SAMHSA National Helpline Overview

• Service Purpose: A free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• Contact Information:
  • Phone: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  • TTY: 1-800-487-4889
  • Text Messaging: Text your 5-digit ZIP code to 435748 (HELP4U) to find local treatment resources.
• Key Features:
  • Available in English and Spanish.
  • Provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
  • Not a counseling service: Trained specialists provide information and referrals, not direct therapy.
• Financial Assistance:
  • The referral service is free.
  • Assistance is available for those without insurance or who are underinsured (referrals to state-funded programs or facilities with sliding fee scales).
  • Medicare and Medicaid are accepted at many referred facilities.
• Privacy: The service is confidential; callers are not required to provide personal information, though geographic data (ZIP code) may be requested to locate local resources.
• Usage Statistics: In 2020, the helpline received 833,598 calls, a 27% increase from 2019.
• Additional Resources: SAMHSA provides educational materials for families, including guides on substance abuse treatment, supporting children of parents with addiction, coping after a suicide attempt, and the role of family therapy.