If you're in crisis right now

You don't have to hold this alone tonight.

If you are in immediate danger, or thinking about hurting yourself or someone else, please contact your local emergency services or one of the lines below. After is an educational companion — not a clinical, medical, or emergency service, and not a substitute for a licensed therapist.

Emergency: In the US and Canada, call 911. In the UK and Ireland call 999. Across the EU call 112. Elsewhere, use your local emergency number.

Crisis and support lines

United States
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
24/7. Free and confidential. Also chat at 988lifeline.org.
United States
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
24/7 text support with a trained counselor.
United States
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357
24/7 free treatment referral and information (mental health and substance use).
United States
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth)
Call 1-866-488-7386 · Text START to 678-678
United States
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233 · Text START to 88788
Coercive-control situations often overlap with domestic abuse.
Canada
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text 988
United Kingdom & Ireland
Samaritans
Call 116 123
Free, 24/7, from any phone in the UK or Ireland.
Europe
European emergency number
Call 112
Works across EU countries for police, fire, and medical emergencies.
Australia
Lifeline Australia
Call 13 11 14
International
Find A Helpline
findahelpline.com
Directory of vetted crisis lines in 130+ countries.

Ready for ongoing support, not an emergency?

After can help you organize what you're carrying, but sustained recovery from high-control groups usually calls for a licensed clinician who understands coercive control, complex trauma, and dissociation. Our Directory page lists cult-literate therapists by region, and the Therapy page has questions to ask a prospective clinician.