If you are in crisis
If you are thinking about harming yourself, or you feel unsafe right now, please stop reading and contact one of the crisis lines below. They are staffed by trained people whose only job in that moment is to be with you.
The Phoenix Approach is a self-help framework. It is educational. It is not therapy, it is not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for a crisis service or a qualified clinician. If you are in acute distress, the work on this site can wait. The people below cannot.
Crisis lines
United States
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
24/7, free, confidential.
United Kingdom & Ireland
Samaritans
Call 116 123
24/7, free from any phone.
Canada
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text 988
24/7, in English and French.
International
Find a helpline
findahelpline.com
Directory of vetted crisis lines by country.
We will keep adding regional lines here. If a number above is out of date, please let us know.
Other kinds of support
If you are not in crisis but you are struggling, working with a licensed therapist, counsellor, or medical professional is the most direct path to real, personal care. A crisis line can also point you toward local services.