Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free, 24/7 text-based mental health crisis intervention via SMS (741741), WhatsApp, and webchat, powered by 125,000+ trained volunteer Crisis Counselors serving individuals in crisis across the US and 24+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Crisis Text Line does
Crisis Text Line, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York City that provides free, 24/7, confidential mental health crisis intervention via text-based channels. Individuals in the US text HOME (English) or HOLA (Spanish) to shortcode 741741, message via WhatsApp at 443-SUPPORT or 442-AYUDAME, or access webchat at connect.crisistextline.org to be connected with a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor. The platform is staffed by over 100,000 trained volunteer Crisis Counselors in the US and 125,000+ globally across affiliates in the UK (Shout, 85258), Canada (Kids Help Phone, 686868), and Ireland (50808), and now extends to 20+ Spanish-speaking countries via the September 2025 acquisition of Aquí Estoy. The organization has facilitated more than 17 million conversations and 350 million messages since inception, with 2025 marking a record year of over 1.5 million conversations. The technical stack includes an AI-assisted triage system that prioritizes routing by crisis urgency, integrations with WhatsApp, webchat, Amplitude, and Google Analytics, and a data analytics layer that powers the public-facing CrisisTrends.org portal launched in May 2025.
The business model is donation- and grant-funded. Crisis Text Line earns no revenue from texters and operates as a free service. Funding sources include individual donations (via Classy.org), foundation and corporate grants (Skoll Foundation, Blackbaud, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation $25M commitment, Google AI grant, Caring for Denver Foundation), and corporate/celebrity partnerships that drive both revenue and awareness (Nike, MLB, NFL, American Eagle, Imagine Dragons, Jacksepticeye's Thankmas raising $3M+ in 2024, Gears of War 1% net revenue pledge, Humble Bundle). Customer segments span individuals in crisis (primarily youth and adolescents aged 13-24), Hispanic/Latino communities, military veterans and families, rare disease patients/caregivers (via Raregivers), and corporate, education, and government partners that embed the service into their wellness ecosystems. Accreditations include American Association of Suicidology accreditation (first online-only service, September 2022) and Department of Homeland Security emergency response preparedness recognition (2019), with a New York State mandate requiring 741741 and 988 contacts on student ID cards.
Crisis Text Line firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Crisis Text Line
- Legal name
- Crisis Text Line, Inc.
- Website
- https://crisistextline.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Crisis Text Line is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free, 24/7 text-based mental health crisis intervention via SMS (741741), WhatsApp, and webchat, powered by 125,000+ trained volunteer Crisis Counselors serving individuals in crisis across the US and 24+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Crisis Text Line industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mental Health Crisis Intervention Services
- NAICS
- Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Behavioral Health Crisis Services Management (988/Hotlines/Mobile Crisis Coordination) (HLAEAHAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Crisis Support, Suicide Prevention & Acute Behavioral Triage Platforms (HLALAEAI), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH), Crisis Response & Threat Assessment (Suicide Prevention, Violence Prevention) (EDAJAIAH)
Keywords
Where Crisis Text Line is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Crisis Text Line business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Crisis Text Line is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit relying on donations from individuals to provide free 24/7 mental health crisis support. The organization solicits one-time and monthly donations via its website (Classy.org integration).
- Foundation and Corporate Grants: Funded by foundations and corporate partners including Skoll Foundation (award), Google AI (grant), Blackbaud (major gift), and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation ($25M+ commitment). These grants support operations, international expansion, and specific programs.
- Partnership and Sponsorship Revenue (in-kind and financial): Crisis Text Line receives support through corporate partnerships (Nike, Gears of War, American Eagle, Imagine Dragons, Jacksepticeye) and awareness campaigns. These partnerships generate revenue through co-branded campaigns, merchandise tie-ins, and cause marketing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free for all texters — no cost to access crisis support |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Crisis Text Line product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential text-based mental health crisis intervention via SMS shortcode 741741, WhatsApp messaging, and webchat. Individuals in crisis connect with trained volunteer Crisis Counselors who deliver emotional support, de-escalation, collaborative problem-solving, and safety planning, with emergency escalation (911) when there is imminent risk of self-harm. The service also operates the Spanish-language Aquí Estoy program across 20+ countries and publishes CrisisTrends.org for public health research.
Product overview
Crisis Text Line operates as a nonprofit mental health organization offering a multi-channel text-based crisis intervention platform. The core service is the SMS text-based crisis line (text HOME to 741741), which has been expanded to include WhatsApp support and web chat capabilities. In September 2025, Crisis Text Line acquired Aquí Estoy to add Spanish-language services across Latin America, Spain, and the Caribbean. The organization also publishes CrisisTrends.org as a public data portal. Beyond the core crisis intervention service, Crisis Text Line offers volunteer programs (including Student Learning Practicum, Campus Advocates, and Mental Health Changemakers), educational toolkits (College Toolkit, Mental Health School Supplies), and annual research publications (United in Empathy Report). The model is volunteer-powered with over 100,000 trained Crisis Counselors supporting conversations 24/7.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Crisis Text Line SMS Service (741741) Free, 24/7, confidential text-based mental health crisis intervention delivered via SMS shortcode 741741 in the United States, connecting texters in emotional distress with trained volunteer Crisis Counselors who provide emotional support, de-escalation, and safety planning.
- Crisis Text Line Web Chat Browser-based real-time chat support accessible at connect.crisistextline.org/chat, providing an alternative to SMS for individuals connecting with Crisis Text Line volunteer counselors.
- Crisis Text Line WhatsApp Support WhatsApp-based crisis support in English (443-SUPPORT) and Spanish (442-AYUDAME), extending Crisis Text Line's text-based service to messaging-app-preferring users.
- Spanish Language Crisis Service (HOLA to 741741)
Quantifiable outcome
- 84% of texters find Crisis Text Line helpful; vast majority feel a positive change in mood after conversations.
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Crisis Text Line
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Crisis Text Line technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
Crisis Text Line partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and secondary.
- Raregivers Inc.flagshipCrisis Text Line partnered with Raregivers Inc. to integrate its confidential text-based crisis support into Raregivers' global network serving rare, chronic, and complex disease communities. The partnership reaches approximately 350 million people living with rare diseases and 2.8 billion caregivers and healthcare professionals. Access is available via text, web chat, and WhatsApp in English and Spanish.
- Aquí EstoycoreCrisis Text Line acquired Aquí Estoy, a nonprofit providing Spanish-language mental health crisis support across 20 countries in Latin America, Spain, and the Caribbean. This acquisition is a core strategic move to expand global mental health services beyond English-speaking populations and extend Crisis Text Line's text-based model to millions of Spanish speakers. Bruno Borges was appointed Executive Director of Aquí Estoy to lead the expansion.
- Foundation for California Community CollegescoreThe Foundation for California Community Colleges partnered with Crisis Text Line to provide back-to-school mental health support for community college students across California, targeting a high-need student population with limited access to mental health services.
- Community Financial Credit UnionsecondaryCommunity Financial Credit Union launched a pioneering partnership with Crisis Text Line to provide 24/7 lifesaving mental health support to its member communities, extending Crisis Text Line's reach into the credit union/financial services sector.
- Miami UniversitycoreMiami University partnered with Crisis Text Line to help expand free, 24/7 mental health support for college students, integrating Crisis Text Line into the university's student wellness ecosystem.
- Jacksepticeye (Seán McLoughlin)flagshipJacksepticeye's annual Thankmas holiday campaign partnered with Crisis Text Line, raising over $3 million for mental health support and suicide prevention in 2024. The partnership leverages the gaming YouTuber's massive audience (30M+ subscribers) to reach younger demographics with mental health resources.
- Humble BundlesecondaryHumble Bundle selected Crisis Text Line as its featured charity for World Mental Health Day, with a portion of sales donated to the organization during the campaign period, driving both donations and awareness.
- NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations)flagshipNFHS partnered with Crisis Text Line to support teens' mental health by promoting the 741741 service through NFHS's network of 19,500+ member state athletic/activity associations and their educational resources for high school communities.
- Hip Hop Public HealthflagshipHip Hop Public Health (founded by Doug E. Fresh) partnered with Crisis Text Line to promote mental health awareness, using hip hop culture and music to destigmatize mental health and reach underserved communities.
- FOLX HealthflagshipFOLX Health partnered with Crisis Text Line to support the LGBTQ+ community with dedicated mental health crisis resources, expanding access for a community that faces elevated mental health risks and has had specialized 988 services eliminated by policy changes.
- Live Free 999flagshipCarmela Wallace of Live Free 999 and Dr. Shairi Turner (Crisis Text Line Chief Health Officer) embarked on a national media tour to promote mental health awareness, particularly in communities of color, through Live Free 999's network.
- Common Good LabscoreCrisis Text Line and Common Good Labs released a study offering solutions to the youth mental health epidemic, and collaborated on analyzing coping strategies that helped texters overcome crises. Common Good Labs provides research methodology and advisory support for data-driven mental health insights.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)flagshipAFSP partnered with Crisis Text Line to connect thousands of people in emotional distress with fast, free, and confidential crisis counseling via text. AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia has publicly endorsed Crisis Text Line as providing an invaluable service revolutionizing crisis services in the nation.
- American EagleflagshipAmerican Eagle partnered with Crisis Text Line for a mental health awareness campaign, with actress Sydney Sweeney featured in content promoting the 741741 service to young consumers, reaching a Gen Z audience through fashion/lifestyle brand channels.
- Major League Baseball (MLB)flagshipMLB partnered with Crisis Text Line through the MLB Together platform for mental health awareness, featuring Crisis Text Line resources in broadcasts, digital content, and community programs to reach baseball fans across all ages.
- NikeflagshipNike partnered with Crisis Text Line through the 'No Off Season' podcast hosted by Dr. Shairi Turner and Natalia Dayan, featuring athletes like Karl-Anthony Towns and Laurie Hernandez to destigmatize mental health conversations and reach young, diverse audiences.
- SEA WAVESsecondarySEA WAVES partnered with Crisis Text Line to provide free support for eating disorders within the military community, addressing a specific mental health need for veterans and military families.
- Aquí Estoy (pre-acquisition partner)corePrior to full acquisition, Crisis Text Line and Aquí Estoy partnered to support Spanish-speaking texters experiencing mental health crises. The partnership celebrated its 2-year milestone having supported over 22,000 conversations with Spanish speakers, before evolving into an acquisition in September 2025.
- ShatterproofsecondaryShatterproof partnered with Crisis Text Line to support people struggling with addiction, integrating crisis text resources into Shatterproof's addiction and substance use disorder support ecosystem.
- Imagine DragonsflagshipImagine Dragons released an emotional music video supporting Crisis Text Line and suicide prevention, using the band's platform to raise awareness for the 741741 service and destigmatize mental health conversations.
- Gears of War / The Coalition / MicrosoftflagshipGears of War pledged 1% of net revenue for suicide prevention and partnered with Crisis Text Line, integrating the 741741 number into marketing and merchandise. The partnership reaches millions of gamers globally with mental health crisis resources.
- The Jed Foundation (JED)flagshipCrisis Text Line and The Jed Foundation (JED) launched a mental health podcast 'Could Be Better, TBH' with Stacy London, aimed at young adults and teens, combining JED's suicide prevention expertise with Crisis Text Line's crisis intervention data.
- Shout (UK — Mental Health Innovations)coreInternational affiliate partnership: Shout, operated by Mental Health Innovations in the UK, provides free 24/7 text-based crisis support (text HOLA to 85258). Crisis Text Line provides technology, training methodology, and support; Shout delivers local service across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Kids Help Phone (Canada)coreInternational affiliate partnership: Crisis Text Line, operated by Kids Help Phone, is a partnership between Kids Help Phone and Crisis Text Line's pioneering technology, offering Canada's first national free 24/7 text-based crisis service (text HOLA to 686868).
- Text About It (Ireland — Community Creations CLG / SpunOut)coreInternational affiliate partnership: Text About It is an Ireland-based service affiliated with Crisis Text Line, offering free 24/7 confidential text-based crisis support (text HOLA to 50808). Operated by Community Creations CLG/SpunOut.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Crisis Text Line competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Federally backed national crisis hotline (call, text, chat) launched in 2022 and overlapping directly with CTL's text-based crisis intervention. A direct substitute for the same population and increasingly a partner/competitor as 988 expands text routing.
Direct peers
- The Trevor Project: Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ young people via text, chat, and phone. Directly comparable as a free, volunteer-powered, multi-channel crisis service targeting youth, including the population CTL serves through its FOLX partnership.
- Veterans Crisis Line: Federal crisis line for veterans, active duty service members, and their families offering text, chat, and phone support. Comparable to CTL's military community segment and explicitly referenced in CTL data as recognizing CTL's outcomes for non-federally supported nationwide care.
- Mental Health Innovations (Shout UK): Operates Shout, the UK text-based crisis service that is a CTL affiliate. Directly comparable 24/7 free text crisis intervention model; relevant as both affiliate and benchmark for international expansion economics.
- Kids Help Phone: Operates the Canadian CTL affiliate (text 686868) and is one of Canada's leading youth crisis services. Directly comparable in mission and channel; CTL technology and training are licensed through this affiliate.
Others
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): National suicide prevention nonprofit that is both a CTL partner (referring texters and endorsing) and an adjacent peer in the suicide prevention ecosystem. Comparable as a policy/research-driven nonprofit serving overlapping populations.
Emerging players
- Talkspace: Online therapy platform offering text-based mental health support with licensed therapists. Comparable in digital text delivery and mental health focus, though paid and clinical rather than free volunteer crisis intervention.
- BetterHelp: Largest online counseling platform with text-based chat options. Overlaps with CTL in digital text-based mental health delivery, though it is a paid, ongoing-therapy model rather than free acute crisis intervention.
- Sprout Wellness / MindRight: Emerging digital mental health platforms offering text-based coaching and crisis support through partnerships with schools and youth organizations. Comparable as technology-enabled text-based mental health support targeting youth.
Regional players
- Crisis Centre BC / Here2Talk: Canadian crisis line and provincial text-based crisis services operating across Canada. Comparable service model to CTL but regionally focused rather than national/international.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Crisis Text Line social profiles
Digital presenceCrisis Text Line compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Crisis Text Line financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Crisis Text Line leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Crisis Text Line subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Crisis Text Line funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Crisis Text Line M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Crisis Text Line
What does Crisis Text Line do?
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential text-based mental health crisis intervention via SMS shortcode 741741, WhatsApp messaging, and webchat. Individuals in crisis connect with trained volunteer Crisis Counselors who deliver emotional support, de-escalation, collaborative problem-solving, and safety planning, with emergency escalation (911) when there is imminent risk of self-harm. The service also operates the Spanish-language Aquí Estoy program across 20+ countries and publishes CrisisTrends.org for public health research.
Is Crisis Text Line a public or private company?
Crisis Text Line is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Crisis Text Line founded?
Crisis Text Line was founded in 2013. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Crisis Text Line based?
Crisis Text Line is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Crisis Text Line make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Corporate Grants and partnership and Sponsorship Revenue (in-kind and financial).
Who are Crisis Text Line's main competitors?
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are The Trevor Project, Veterans Crisis Line, Mental Health Innovations (Shout UK) and Kids Help Phone. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is listed as an others. Emerging players are Talkspace, BetterHelp and Sprout Wellness / MindRight. Crisis Centre BC / Here2Talk is listed as a regional player.
Does Crisis Text Line have an API?
No public API is recorded for Crisis Text Line.
What industry is Crisis Text Line in?
Crisis Text Line's product category is Mental Health Crisis Intervention Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAEAHAK, Behavioral Health Crisis Services Management (988/Hotlines/Mobile Crisis Coordination), with a secondary code of HLALAEAI, Crisis Support, Suicide Prevention & Acute Behavioral Triage Platforms. Its NAICS code is 621420 and its SIC code is 8090.