The Project Extreme Helpline is designed to help connect parents, teens, and others with valuable resources and programs.
Please note: If you’re experiencing a crisis, our Crisis Text Hotline is available to provide immediate support. For all other inquiries about our programs and services, please call our office.
How it works:
Someone texts LEV to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of situation they may be experiencing.
A live, highly trained Volunteer Crisis Counselor receives the message on our hotline and responds to the texter, all from our secure online texting platform.
The volunteer Text Line Counselor will help the texter move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
How it works in more detail…
First, you’re in a moment of crisis. That doesn’t just mean imminent risk for suicide; it’s any painful emotion, issue, mental health crisis, difficult time, or rough patch for which you need support. You text the word “LEV” to 741741 to get connected to our crisis text line service.
The first two responses from the text line are automated. The first text tells you that you’re being connected with a Counselor and the second invites you to share a bit more.
The Counselor is a trained volunteer, not a professional. They can provide guidance and emotional support via text, but are not able to give medical advice.
It usually takes less than five minutes to connect you with one of our Crisis Counselors. (It may take longer during high-traffic times.)
When you’ve reached a Counselor, they will introduce themselves, reflect on what you’ve said, and invite you to share at your own pace.
You’ll then text back and forth with the Counselor on our crisis text line. They are here to help guide you through your emotions, but you never have to share anything you don’t want to.
Throughout the conversation, the Counselor will actively listen to you, empathize, and ask you questions in order to help you sort through your feelings and the situation.
Generally, the conversation will come to an end when both you and the Counselor feel satisfied and assured that you have moved from the hot moment to a safe place.
You can then let us know about your experience by filling out our optional survey. This helps us help you and other people as well!
The goal of any conversation is to get you to a calm, safe place.
Sometimes that means providing you with a referral to further help, and sometimes it just means being there and listening. A conversation usually lasts anywhere from 15-45 minutes.
Project Extreme and Miryam’s House is a registered Non-Profit 501(c)3 organization.
All donations are tax-deductible.
Tax ID: 36-4428246