Mental Health Resources

in Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago Counties and Beyond

If you or someone you care about needs help right now, support is available. This page includes trusted emergency and crisis resources, suicide prevention and mental health helplines, and other services that can provide immediate support. Whether you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, worried about someone else, or simply unsure where to turn, these resources are here to help you take the next step.

Emergency & Crisis Services

When someone is struggling, it can be difficult to know where to turn. If there is an immediate threat to someone’s safety, call 911 right away. If the situation is urgent but not life-threatening, crisis services can provide immediate support, help de-escalate the situation, and connect you or your loved one with appropriate care. Explore the resources below to find the right type of help.

Need Help in an Emergency?

Call 911 and Talk to Police

If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 911. Tell the dispatcher that the situation involves a mental health emergency and ask whether an officer trained in crisis intervention or psychiatric emergencies is available.


What Can Police Do?

  • Check on the person’s safety and well-being.
    A Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer may talk with the person in distress, help calm the situation, assess immediate safety concerns and determine the most appropriate response. When there is no immediate danger, officers may involve county crisis professionals or connect the person with other mental health resources.
  • Help someone go to the hospital voluntarily.
    When appropriate, officers may encourage and help transport a person who agrees to receive an evaluation or treatment. If an ambulance is not needed, officers may provide transportation and remain during the admission process.
  • Transport someone for an involuntary emergency evaluation.
    In certain circumstances, officers may take a person to a hospital for an emergency mental health evaluation without their consent. Under Chapter 51 of the Wisconsin Statutes, this may occur when there is reason to believe the person presents a danger to themselves or others.

Did You Know?

Several local law enforcement agencies use co-responder teams for calls involving mental health concerns. The Appleton, Neenah and Oshkosh police departments and the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office use models in which a law enforcement officer responds alongside, or works closely with, a mental health professional.

Mental health professionals bring expertise in crisis assessment, de-escalation and connecting people with appropriate services and support.

Need Help in a Crisis?

 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or Text 988

People can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a caring, trained counselor who can help. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress.

That could include:

  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Mental health or substance use crises
  • Emotional distress
  • Other reasons to connect

Crisis Text Lines

HOPELINE
Text HOPELINE to 741741 and you’ll be connected to a trained crisis counselor. HOPELINE is Wisconsin’s statewide emotional support text line.

Learn more: Center for Suicide Awareness – HOPELINE

Texto Esperanza – Spanish-speaking Crisis Text Line
Mande APOYO a 839863 (es gratis). De lunes a jueves, de 12 p.m. a 4 p.m. y de 6 p.m. a 10 p.m.

County Crisis Support

Mental health professionals provide crisis support and information for those experiencing distress related to mental health and/or substance use.

For a complete listing of Wisconsin county crisis lines, visit Prevent Suicide Wisconsin – County Crisis Lines
.

Specialized Hotlines & Helplines

Sometimes it helps to talk with someone who understands your unique experiences. The specialized hotlines and helplines below offer free, confidential support for specific communities and situations, including LGBTQ+ individuals, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), veterans, new and expecting parents, people experiencing eating disorders, and those affected by domestic violence or sexual assault.

Support for Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC)

BlackLine
BlackLine is a free, confidential peer support and crisis line that prioritizes Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), with a focus on affirming, culturally responsive support.

Call: 1-800-604-5841

Learn more: BlackLine

The Steve Fund
The Steve Fund provides mental health support for young people of color.

Text: STEVE to 741741

Learn more: The Steve Fund Crisis Text Line

Hmong Domestic Violence Helpline
Confidential, 24-hour crisis support for Hmong individuals and families experiencing domestic violence.

Call or Text: 1-877-740-4292

StrongHearts Native Helpline
StrongHearts Native Helpline provides confidential, anonymous, and culturally appropriate support for Native Americans and Alaska Natives experiencing domestic violence or dating violence.

Call: 1-844-762-8483 
(1-844-7NATIVE)

Learn more: StrongHearts Native Helpline

Support for LGBTQ+ Individuals

Diverse & Resilient Anti-Violence Warmline
Provides support, information and referrals for LGBTQ+ survivors of violence, as well as their friends and family members.

Call or Text: 414-856-LGBT (5428)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

LGBT National Help Center
Provides free, confidential peer support, information and local resources for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families and friends.

Learn more: LGBT National Help Center

The Trevor Project
Provides free, confidential crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ young people, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Call: 866-488-7386
Text: START to 678678
Chat: thetrevorproject.org

Learn more: The Trevor Project

Trans Lifeline
A peer support hotline staffed by trans people for trans and questioning callers.

Call: 877-565-8860

Learn more: Trans Lifeline

Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

Harbor House, Appleton, Wis.
Provides emergency shelter, advocacy and support for victim-survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Outagamie and Calumet counties.

24-Hour Crisis Helpline: 920-832-1666

Learn more: Harbor House

Sexual Assault Center of Family Services
Provides confidential support, advocacy and services for survivors of sexual violence in Brown County.

Crisis Line: 920-436-8899

Learn more: Sexual Assault Center

Golden House Domestic Abuse Center
Provides shelter, advocacy, safety planning and support for people affected by domestic violence in Brown County.

Helpline / TTY: 920-770-6415
Toll Free: 1-877-431-4321

Learn more: Golden House

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Provides free, confidential support, safety planning and resources for anyone experiencing domestic violence.

Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text:
LOVEIS to 22522
Chat: thehotline.org

Learn more:  National Domestic Violence Hotline

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)
Connects callers with trained staff from local sexual assault service providers for confidential support and information.

Call: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Chat: hotline.rainn.org

Learn more: RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline

Support for New & Expecting Parents

Postpartum Support International (PSI) HelpLine
Provides support, encouragement, information and referrals for pregnant and postpartum individuals experiencing mental health concerns. This is not a crisis line.

Call or Text: 1-800-944-4773

Learn more: Postpartum Support International

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Provides free, confidential emotional support, information and referrals before, during and after pregnancy. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in English and Spanish.

Call or Text: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)

Learn more: National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

Support for Eating Disorders

National Alliance for Eating Disorders
Provides free support, referrals and education for individuals experiencing eating disorders, as well as their families and loved ones.

Helpline: 866-662-1235

Learn more: National Alliance for Eating Disorders

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
Provides free peer support, recovery resources and referrals for individuals affected by eating disorders and their families.

Helpline: 888-375-7767

Learn more: ANAD Eating Disorder Helpline

Love, A Stranger
Provides compassionate text and phone support for people experiencing eating disorders, body image concerns or disordered eating.

Call or Text: 601-348-5683

Learn more: Love, A Stranger

Support for Farmers

Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Program
Get free, confidential, and immediate support any day, any time. Helpline representatives can also make referrals to the​ Farmer Wellness Program for on-going, long-term support. ​

24/7 Farmer Wellness Helpline: 888-901-2558

Tele-Health and In-Person Counseling Services
Farmers and farm family members can obtain in-person and/or tele-health counseling services from a participating licensed mental health provider at no cost. This service can be requested by contacting the Wisconsin Farm Center Helpline at 800-942-2474 or emailing farmcenter@wisconsin.gov​.

Learn more: Farmer Wellness Program

Support for Veterans

Veterans Crisis Line
Provides free, confidential support for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them. Specially trained responders, many of whom are veterans themselves, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Call: 988, then press 1
Text: 838255
Chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net

Learn more: Veterans Crisis Line