We are social beings and we can’t figure everything out on our own - it's ok to reach out. Whether you are experiencing an extremely difficult situation, a challenge, or if you just wish to talk about something that is worrying you, do not hesitate to speak with someone you trust.
View their online Q&A forum here
Check out online advice here
Chat or email with a counselor here
Call them at any time for free at 1-800-488-3000. You can also text with a counselor every day from 12pm-12am CST by texting VOICE to 20121.
Don’t hesitate to call 911 for free – they will know what to do and how best to help you (and if it turns out that they weren’t the right number to call, that’s ok – at least you can be sure everyone is safe).
When the people in our lives don’t seem to have much time for us, or perhaps when we find ourselves with only a few people we can really trust - it might seem easier to reach out to someone online. This might also be the case if you feel a bit awkward or embarrassed approaching someone you know about a particular topic.
The internet is a great place to find like-minded people who are going through similar experiences, and it can feel comforting to know that there is always someone ready to chat online.
However, it’s also important to be aware of the fact that not everyone means well and people may not be who they say they are. People experience things differently. Not everyone's experience (or advice about their experience) will exactly mirror what you are going through, what you should be doing, or how you should be thinking about your own life.
If something feels off or weird, trust your instincts - don't do it.
If you don’t feel safe, don’t be afraid to talk to someone you trust (or even one of our Safe Contacts). They will have your back.
Sometimes things may feel a bit too much for us to cope with on our own. We may feel confused or overwhelmed and wish for a guide to tell us exactly what to do. Sometimes, it's simply the small things in life we just need to talk about. Don't worry, everyone feels this way.
We may not be able to give you a guide or a rule book on life (it doesn’t exist!). But we can give you a safe contact, someone who you can talk to about things without pressure or judgment - someone that you know wants the best for you and most importantly, someone that will not ask questions about who you are.
Someone you trust is usually someone with whom you feel safe and respected, someone you know cares about you. This can be a parent, grandparent, friend, or teacher.
Knowing who you can talk to can sometimes be confusing. Sometimes people we believe to be friends may give us advice that doesn’t feel right, or tell us things that are actually hurtful. Sometimes the people we trust might seem a bit too busy, and we may feel like they don’t have time to sit and listen to us. Sometimes we just don’t feel safe enough with the people in our lives.
There are even times when everyone tells us that we should trust someone in our life, when we in fact feel like they may not want the best for us. It’s ok to trust your instincts, but it is also important to avoid isolating yourself or to turn to someone you don’t fully know for help.
Those feelings are perfectly ok - but they do not mean you are alone.
Every life is different and, knowing that, we want you to have a safe place to turn to whenever you need to. If you are in doubt about who you can talk to freely, about who might have the time to hear you, or about who you can really trust, you can reach out to Your Life Your Voice. Their hotline is staffed by experienced counselors who are trained to listen and give advice on a range of issues. They simply want to be there for you, to listen and help.
With Childline, you can talk about anything. It could be that your sibling is just annoying you lately, that your parents have stopped getting along, or maybe kids at school are teasing you. Perhaps you’re just feeling a bit low and you don’t know why. Whatever it is, you always have a place to share your thoughts and be listened to.
If you don’t want to speak on the phone, you can also reach Your Life Your Voice counselors by text, online chat, or email. Any of these options are a good place to start. Check it out here