If You Are In Crisis And Need Assistance

Veterans should contact the following first for immediate assistance:

 

National Domestic Violence Hotline

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a 24/7 confidential crisis hotline that provides immediate support to individuals experiencing domestic violence, intimate partner violence, emotional abuse, stalking, or relationship-related safety concerns. Trained advocates provide safety planning, emotional support, crisis intervention, information about legal protections, and referrals to local shelters, counseling programs, and victim service organizations throughout the United States. Services are available by phone, online chat, and text, with language interpretation available for hundreds of languages.

Basic Eligibility:

• Anyone experiencing or affected by domestic violence
• Friends, family members, professionals, or advocates may also call for guidance
• No residency or income requirements

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None for hotline services
• Local agencies may later request:
  • Photo ID
  • Police reports (if available)
  • Protective orders (if applicable)
  • Proof of residency for shelter or housing programs

National Human Trafficking Hotline

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a confidential, nationwide resource that provides crisis intervention, victim assistance, safety planning, and reporting options for individuals affected by human trafficking. Specialists help connect victims and survivors with emergency shelters, law enforcement when requested, legal services, medical care, counseling, and community organizations specializing in trafficking recovery. Calls may also be made anonymously to report suspected trafficking situations.

Basic Eligibility:

• Victims or survivors of human trafficking
• Individuals reporting suspected trafficking
• Family members, service providers, or concerned community members

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None for hotline services
• Referral agencies may later request:
  • Photo ID
  • Proof of identity
  • Police reports (if applicable)
  • Immigration documents (only if relevant to services)

SAMHSA National Helpline

The SAMHSA National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24-hour information and referral service for individuals and families facing mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or co-occurring conditions. Specialists provide treatment referrals, information about local counseling providers, crisis resources, recovery support programs, and community behavioral health services. The helpline does not provide direct counseling but serves as a gateway to treatment resources nationwide.

Basic Eligibility:

• Anyone seeking mental health or substance use treatment information
• Family members, caregivers, and professionals may also call
• No insurance or income requirements

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None for helpline services
• Treatment providers may later request:
  • Photo ID
  • Insurance information
  • Medical history
  • Medication list

Illinois Department of Human Services Crisis Line Services (988)

Illinois Crisis Line Services connect individuals experiencing mental health crises to trained crisis counselors through the nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Crisis specialists provide emotional support, suicide prevention, de-escalation, mental health assessments, referrals to local behavioral health providers, and when necessary, coordination with Mobile Crisis Response Teams. Services are confidential and available 24 hours a day.

Basic Eligibility:

• Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis
• Individuals concerned about another person's safety
• No residency verification required during the crisis call

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None during crisis intervention
• Community providers may later request:
  • Photo ID
  • Insurance information
  • Medical history
  • Emergency contact information

Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline

The Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline provides confidential statewide assistance to survivors of domestic violence through crisis counseling, safety planning, emergency shelter referrals, legal advocacy referrals, and connections to local domestic violence service providers. Advocates help callers understand their options and develop individualized safety plans regardless of whether they choose to leave an abusive relationship.

Basic Eligibility:

• Survivors of domestic or intimate partner violence
• Family members or concerned individuals seeking guidance
• Illinois residents are prioritized

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None for hotline services
• Shelter providers may later request:
  • Photo ID
  • Protective orders (if applicable)
  • Birth certificates for children (if entering shelter)
  • Insurance information (if applicable)

Illinois Sexual Assault Hotline (ICASA)

The Illinois Sexual Assault Hotline provides 24-hour confidential crisis intervention, emotional support, advocacy, and referrals for survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual violence. Advocates can help coordinate hospital accompaniment, counseling, legal advocacy, victim compensation information, and referrals to local rape crisis centers throughout Illinois.

Basic Eligibility:

• Survivors of sexual assault or abuse
• Family members and loved ones seeking guidance
• Illinois residents

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None for hotline services
• Partner agencies may later request:
  • Photo ID
  • Police report (not required for most services)
  • Medical records (if applicable)

Illinois CARES Warm Line

The Illinois CARES Warm Line is a peer-operated emotional support line that provides non-emergency mental health support, encouragement, and resource referrals for individuals experiencing emotional distress or feelings of isolation. Certified peer specialists with lived mental health experience offer compassionate listening, coping strategies, and connections to community behavioral health resources. The Warm Line is intended for support rather than emergency crisis intervention.

Basic Eligibility:

• Illinois residents seeking emotional support
• Individuals experiencing non-emergency mental health concerns
• No diagnosis required

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None
• Community providers may request standard intake documentation if ongoing services are pursued

Illinois Child Abuse Hotline (DCFS)

The Illinois Child Abuse Hotline accepts reports of suspected child abuse or neglect twenty-four hours a day on behalf of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Hotline staff assess reports and determine whether investigations should be initiated to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, or unsafe living conditions. Anyone with reasonable cause to suspect abuse is encouraged to report their concerns.

Basic Eligibility:

• Anyone may report suspected child abuse or neglect
• Mandated reporters are legally required to report suspected abuse
• Anonymous reports are accepted

Common Documentation Requested Later by Investigators:

• None to make a report
• Investigators may later request:
  • Names and addresses
  • School information
  • Medical information
  • Supporting evidence if available

Illinois Senior HelpLine

The Illinois Senior HelpLine assists older adults, caregivers, and families by providing information, crisis support, referrals to aging services, elder abuse resources, caregiver assistance, benefits counseling, and connections to local Area Agencies on Aging. Staff help seniors access programs that promote safety, independence, and quality of life.

Basic Eligibility:

• Illinois residents age 60 or older
• Caregivers and family members
• Individuals seeking elder abuse resources

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None for information services
• Partner agencies may later request:
  • Photo ID
  • Proof of age
  • Income documentation
  • Medicare or insurance information

National Runaway Safeline

The National Runaway Safeline provides confidential crisis intervention, safety planning, message relay services, transportation assistance coordination, and referrals for runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth. The organization also supports parents, guardians, educators, and service providers seeking assistance for young people experiencing family conflict or housing instability.

Basic Eligibility:

• Youth at risk of running away
• Runaway or homeless youth
• Parents, guardians, educators, and concerned adults

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None
• Shelter providers may later request:
  • Photo ID (if available)
  • Proof of guardianship
  • Medical information

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (CyberTipline)

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) operates the CyberTipline, the nation's centralized reporting system for suspected online child sexual exploitation, child trafficking, missing children, and child pornography. Reports are reviewed and forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation, while families may receive guidance and referrals to victim assistance resources.

Basic Eligibility:

• Anyone wishing to report suspected child exploitation or missing children
• Parents, guardians, educators, and community members
• Reports may be submitted anonymously in many situations

Common Documentation Requested Later by Investigators:

• None to submit a report
• Supporting evidence such as:
  • Screenshots
  • Usernames
  • URLs
  • Photographs
  • Police reports (if available)

A Safe Haven Foundation Crisis Services

A Safe Haven Foundation provides comprehensive crisis intervention services for individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, substance use disorders, unemployment, or behavioral health challenges. Services include emergency shelter, transitional housing, addiction treatment, employment assistance, case management, and long-term supportive services designed to promote self-sufficiency and permanent housing stability.

Basic Eligibility:

• Individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Adults seeking substance use recovery or supportive services
• Eligibility varies by individual program

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• Photo ID
• Social Security card
• Proof of income
• Homeless verification or eviction notice (if applicable)

NAMI Chicago Helpline

The NAMI Chicago Helpline provides information, emotional support, peer guidance, and referrals for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Staff help callers locate counseling services, support groups, crisis resources, educational programs, and community behavioral health providers while also providing information about navigating the mental health care system.

Basic Eligibility:

• Anyone seeking mental health information or support
• Individuals living with mental illness
• Family members and caregivers

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None for helpline services
• Mental health providers may later request:
  • Photo ID
  • Insurance information
  • Medical history

Center on Halsted Anti-Violence Program

The Center on Halsted Anti-Violence Program provides crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling referrals, and safety planning for LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence, hate crimes, stalking, or other forms of interpersonal violence. The program offers culturally competent services designed to address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ survivors while connecting them with emergency resources and community support.

Basic Eligibility:

• LGBTQ+ individuals affected by violence or abuse
• Survivors of hate crimes, domestic violence, or sexual assault
• Allies seeking assistance on behalf of someone else may also contact the program

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None for crisis services
• Partner organizations may later request:
  • Photo ID
  • Police reports (if applicable)
  • Protective orders (if applicable)

Connections for Abused Women and Their Children (CAWC)

Connections for Abused Women and Their Children (CAWC) provides comprehensive domestic violence services including emergency shelter, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, safety planning, case management, children's services, and supportive housing programs. The organization works closely with survivors to help them achieve long-term safety, independence, and recovery from domestic violence through trauma-informed care.

Basic Eligibility:

• Individuals experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence
• Women and children are the primary populations served, though services vary by program
• Eligibility requirements depend on the specific shelter or housing program

Common Documentation Requested Later by Referrals:

• None for initial crisis assistance
• Shelter and housing programs may later request:
  • Photo ID
  • Birth certificates for children (if available)
  • Protective orders (if applicable)
  • Income information for housing programs