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.