Chicago Resources

If you or someone you care about needs additional support, the following crisis, mental health and community resources can help connect you with appropriate services.

Immediate & Crisis Support

Emergency Services
If you or someone else is in immediate physical danger or experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Illinois HFS specifically directs people needing immediate assistance or experiencing a medical emergency to 911.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24/7 support. The 988 Lifeline supports people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, mental health concerns, substance use concerns or other difficult situations. You do not need to be suicidal to contact 988.
Website: https://988lifeline.org/

Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor. Support is free, confidential and available 24/7.
Website: https://www.crisistextline.org/

Illinois CARES Crisis Line
Call 1-800-345-9049 for 24/7 mental health crisis support in Illinois. CARES provides access to Illinois mobile crisis response services for individuals experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis.
Website: https://hfs.illinois.gov/medicalclients/behavioral/crisisservices.html

Illinois Support & Community Resources

NAMI Illinois
Provides free mental health support, resources, education and online groups for Illinois residents, with connections to local NAMI affiliates throughout the state.
Website: https://namiillinois.org/

NAMI Chicago
Provides mental health information, support, education and help navigating local mental health resources. Call or text the NAMI Chicago Helpline at 833-626-4244 to connect with a local specialist.
Website: https://namichicago.org/

211 Illinois
Connects Illinois residents with local resources for housing, food, utilities, health care, mental health services and other community needs. Call 211 or text your ZIP code to 898211. Services are free, confidential and available 24/7. As of April 2026, 211 coverage extends to all 102 Illinois counties.
Website: https://211illinois.org/

Illinois Helpline for Opioids & Other Substances
Provides free, confidential, 24/7 support for people seeking substance use treatment and recovery services in Illinois. Call 1-833-234-6343 or text HELP to 833234. Website: https://helplineil.org/

Safe2Help Illinois
Provides students and young people with a way to seek help or share safety concerns. Call 1-844-4-SAFEIL (1-844-472-3345) or text SAFE2 to 72332.
Website: https://www.safe2helpil.com/

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
Provides free, confidential, 24/7 support for people affected by sexual assault or abuse. Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), text HOPE to 64673 or use RAINN's online chat.
Website: https://rainn.org/