The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing suicide and providing mental health support for LGBTQ+ young people.

Founded in 1998, the organization focuses on creating opportunities for young people to receive affirming support, explore their identities, and connect with people who understand the challenges they may face.

Its work includes crisis counseling, suicide prevention, educational resources, research, advocacy, and online peer community programs.

The Trevor Project's crisis counselors are trained to listen without judgment and provide support to young people navigating difficult emotions, identity related concerns, family challenges, discrimination, and other personal experiences.

The organization also works to improve public understanding of LGBTQ+ youth mental health and the circumstances that can affect a young person's safety and well being.

The Trevor Project provides free crisis counseling and emotional support for LGBTQ+ young people through three primary services.

PHONE SUPPORT

Young people can speak directly with a trained crisis counselor by calling:

1 866 488 7386

Counselors are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

TEXT SUPPORT

Young people who prefer writing instead of speaking can connect with a counselor through text messaging.

Text START to 678678 to begin.

A counselor can provide emotional support, help someone discuss what they are experiencing, and explore possible next steps.

ONLINE CHAT

The Trevor Project also offers confidential online conversations with trained crisis counselors.

Visitors can begin a chat through the official Get Help page.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

Counselors can help young people work through difficult emotions, discuss concerns about their identity or relationships, and navigate moments of emotional distress.

A person does not need to be considering suicide to reach out.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The Trevor Project maintains educational resources about LGBTQ+ identities, mental health, relationships, and supportive environments.

It also operates TrevorSpace, a separate moderated online peer community for LGBTQ+ young people ages 13 through 24.

TrevorSpace provides opportunities for community connection. It is not a substitute for the organization's crisis counseling services.

The Trevor Project does not provide ongoing psychotherapy, medical treatment, or psychiatric care through its crisis services.

The Trevor Project's crisis counseling services are designed for LGBTQ+ young people under the age of 25 who are located in the United States.

This includes young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, or another identity within the LGBTQ+ community.

The service is intended for young people navigating a wide range of experiences.

Someone might reach out because they feel overwhelmed, isolated, anxious, afraid, rejected, or uncertain about their identity.

Others may be experiencing bullying, discrimination, family conflict, relationship challenges, emotional distress, or thoughts of suicide.

A person does not have to be in immediate danger or experiencing suicidal thoughts to speak with a counselor.

Counselors are trained to provide support without judgment and to approach conversations with an understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences.

The organization's separate TrevorSpace community is intended for LGBTQ+ people ages 13 through 24.

People outside the intended age range for Trevor Project crisis services may need a different mental health support provider.

The featured crisis services are intended for people located in the United States.

The Trevor Project provides nationwide crisis counseling throughout the United States.

Eligible young people can access support by phone, text, or online chat without visiting a physical location.

PHONE

The national crisis counseling number can be reached from within the United States.

1 866 488 7386

TEXT

Young people can text START to 678678 using a supported mobile telephone service.

ONLINE CHAT

The online crisis counseling service is accessible through The Trevor Project's official website.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

Access requires an appropriate device and internet connection.

The Trevor Project's published terms specify that its United States crisis services are not available to people located outside the country.

The organization operates other initiatives and partnerships beyond the United States, but those services have their own eligibility and access arrangements.

TrevorSpace is a separate online peer community and should not be confused with the geographic or eligibility rules for crisis counseling.

The Trevor Project provides its crisis counseling services free of charge.

There is no service fee to speak with a counselor by telephone, communicate through its crisis text service, or use its online chat.

Young people do not need health insurance to access these services.

No therapy membership or treatment payment is required to begin a crisis counseling conversation.

However, ordinary telephone, text messaging, or mobile data charges may apply depending on the visitor's service provider and plan.

The Trevor Project's free crisis counseling should not be confused with ongoing professional psychotherapy.

If a counselor helps someone identify outside resources, those organizations may have their own eligibility requirements, fees, or insurance arrangements.

Visitors should confirm the cost of any outside service before beginning treatment.

The Trevor Project offers three primary ways to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

OPTION 1: CALL

Dial:

1 866 488 7386

You will be connected with The Trevor Project's crisis counseling service.

For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and use TTY, the dedicated number is:

1 866 803 3699

OPTION 2: TEXT

Open your phone's messaging application.

Send the word START to:

678678

Follow the instructions you receive.

You will be connected with a trained crisis counselor when one becomes available.

If you need assistance with the text service, send HELP to 678678.

To stop receiving messages, text STOP to 678678.

Standard messaging and data charges may apply.

OPTION 3: ONLINE CHAT

Visit:

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

Select the option to start an online chat.

Follow the instructions to begin a conversation with a counselor.

You may be asked to complete preliminary questions before entering the conversation.

If there is a wait, the website offers information and calming activities that may help while waiting to connect.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Counselors are trained to listen without judgment and support LGBTQ+ young people.

You can discuss what you are experiencing at your own pace.

You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out.

A counselor may help you explore coping strategies, immediate emotional needs, safety concerns, and possible next steps.

The service is intended for crisis counseling and emotional support rather than ongoing psychotherapy.

For an immediate medical emergency or life threatening situation, seek emergency medical assistance.

The Trevor Project's crisis counseling services operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Phone, text, and online chat support are available throughout the day and night, including weekends and holidays.

A trained counselor may not be available immediately when someone first contacts the service.

Visitors may experience a wait before being connected, depending on demand and counselor availability.

The Trevor Project does not guarantee a specific waiting time for every contact.

Its official website provides information about what to expect when calling, texting, or starting an online chat.

People waiting for a counselor may be directed toward calming exercises or educational resources.

The organization also offers TrevorSpace, a separate moderated peer community that can be accessed online. TrevorSpace is not a live crisis counseling service.

Although crisis counselors are available around the clock, The Trevor Project is not a replacement for emergency medical services.

A person experiencing an immediate medical emergency should seek appropriate emergency assistance.

The Trevor Project provides several communication options intended to make crisis support accessible to young people with different needs and preferences.

PHONE, TEXT, AND CHAT

Young people can choose between speaking with a counselor, exchanging text messages, or using online chat.

This flexibility may be helpful for people who feel uncomfortable speaking aloud or who cannot safely make a telephone call.

TTY ACCESS

The Trevor Project provides a dedicated TTY number for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

TTY: 1 866 803 3699

TTY communications use independent relay technology, which may introduce technical delays or additional privacy considerations.

LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION

The Trevor Project's telephone crisis service offers access to interpretation services intended to support communication in more than 240 languages.

Callers can request interpretation through the telephone service.

Availability of a particular language depends on the organization's external interpretation providers.

Interpretation cannot be guaranteed immediately in every language.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

Telephone and text services require compatible telecommunications access.

Online chat requires an internet connection and a compatible device.

The Trevor Project advises that online chat may be less reliable on some mobile devices and recommends using a computer when possible.

Visitors experiencing technical difficulties with chat may prefer calling or texting.

The reviewed materials do not establish that every disability accommodation is available through every communication method.

People with specific accessibility needs should consult The Trevor Project's official service information to determine the most appropriate contact method.

The Trevor Project was founded in 1998 and has developed a national crisis counseling and suicide prevention organization focused on LGBTQ+ young people.

Its free crisis counseling services operate continuously through telephone, text, and online chat.

In 2024, The Trevor Project reported directly serving more than 231,000 crisis contacts through its role in the national LGBTQ+ youth specialized crisis service network.

This figure represents service contacts reported by the organization, not a count of successful clinical treatment outcomes.

The Trevor Project also established TrevorSpace in 2008.

The organization reports that more than 700,000 LGBTQ+ young people have participated in TrevorSpace since its launch.

TrevorSpace is a moderated online community designed to provide opportunities for peer connection and support.

RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

The Trevor Project conducts research examining the mental health, experiences, and circumstances of LGBTQ+ young people.

Its 2025 United States National Survey, published in May 2026, included responses from more than 16,000 LGBTQ+ young people.

In October 2026, the organization published findings from Project SPARK, a longitudinal research project following 1,689 LGBTQ+ young people across multiple years.

These initiatives contribute information about mental health, discrimination, family support, and suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth.

Service contact totals, community membership, and research participation demonstrate organizational activity and reach.

They do not establish that every person contacting The Trevor Project experiences a particular outcome or that crisis counseling guarantees recovery.

The Trevor Project provides free crisis counseling and emotional support specifically for LGBTQ+ young people under 25 in the United States.

Its crisis services should not be represented as unrestricted mental health care for every age group or geographic location.

CRISIS COUNSELING IS NOT ONGOING THERAPY

The Trevor Project's trained crisis counselors provide emotional support, crisis intervention, and assistance exploring immediate concerns.

They do not establish an ongoing therapist and patient relationship through the crisis service.

The service does not replace psychotherapy, medical diagnosis, psychiatric treatment, or other professional health care.

CONFIDENTIALITY HAS EXCEPTIONS

The Trevor Project describes its crisis counseling as confidential, but confidentiality is not absolute.

Its privacy policy explains that counselors may contact law enforcement, emergency responders, child welfare agencies, or other appropriate authorities in certain circumstances.

These circumstances include situations where a person appears to face an imminent risk of death or serious injury.

Reports may also occur when information indicates abuse or neglect involving a minor or vulnerable dependent adult.

Information may also be disclosed when required by applicable law.

Visitors concerned about these possibilities should review the organization's current privacy policy and terms before sharing sensitive information.

PERSONAL INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY

The Trevor Project collects certain information when someone contacts its crisis services.

Phone and text interactions may reveal the person's telephone number to the service.

Online chat interactions may involve collecting an internet protocol address and technical information about the device or browser being used.

The organization may also collect information that someone voluntarily shares during a conversation.

Its privacy policy distinguishes information collected through crisis counseling from broader website information.

The general website uses certain analytics and advertising technologies involving external service providers. Those website practices should not be confused with unrestricted sharing of private crisis counseling conversations.

The Trevor Project's policies explain circumstances in which information may be shared with external service providers, authorities, or researchers using information without personal identifiers.

No internet or telecommunications system can be guaranteed completely secure.

AGE AND SERVICE RESTRICTIONS

The featured United States crisis counseling services are intended for LGBTQ+ young people under 25.

TrevorSpace is a separate peer community intended for people ages 13 through 24 and has its own privacy rules.

TrevorSpace should not be used as a substitute for urgent crisis counseling.

WAITING TIMES

Although counselors are available around the clock, a person may need to wait before a counselor is available.

The organization does not guarantee an immediate response to every call, text, or chat request.

IMPORTANT DISTINCTION ABOUT 988

The specialized LGBTQ+ youth option previously available through the national 988 service ended on July 17, 2025.

The Trevor Project's own direct crisis services remain available through its official telephone number, text number, and website.

Visitors seeking The Trevor Project specifically should use those direct contact methods.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

The Trevor Project's crisis counseling services do not replace emergency medical services.

For an immediate medical emergency or life threatening situation, seek emergency medical assistance.

The Trevor Project Official Crisis Services
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

The Trevor Project Terms of Service
Effective August 31, 2026
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/terms-of-service/

The Trevor Project Privacy Policy
Effective August 31, 2026
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/privacy-policy/

The Trevor Project Contact Information
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/contact-us/

The Trevor Project TrevorSpace
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/visit-trevorspace/

The Trevor Project Research
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research/

The Trevor Project Research Briefs
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/all-research-briefs/

The Trevor Project 2025 United States National Survey
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2025/

The Trevor Project Project SPARK Two Year Findings
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/project-spark-two-year-report-a-longitudinal-study/

The Trevor Project Financial and Annual Reports
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/financial-reports/

The Trevor Project Official Crisis Contact Information

Call: 1 866 488 7386

Text: START to 678678

TTY: 1 866 803 3699

Online Chat:
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

The Trevor Project's free crisis counseling services for LGBTQ+ young people under 25 in the United States.

The services are available 24 hours a day throughout the year.

Counseling conversations are confidential within specific legal and safety related limits.

The service does not provide ongoing psychotherapy or emergency medical treatment.

TrevorSpace is a separate peer community with different age requirements and privacy policies.