For medical emergencies, active injuries, or situations where you're in immediate physical danger, please contact emergency services (such as 911 in the US and Canada, or 112 in much of Europe) or go to your nearest emergency room.
This guidance was developed in partnership with ThroughLine and Koko.
Claude may sometimes display crisis support resources in a banner or in its responses. These resources are designed to connect you with people who specialize in helping during difficult moments, and with tools that can help you stay safe. There are two kinds of support you might see:
Crisis helplines: talk to a trained person by phone, text, or chat, any time of day.
A digital safety plan: a short, personal plan you make to help get through moments when thoughts of suicide or self-harm come up.
Why am I seeing a crisis support message?
Claude may show a banner with crisis support resources, such as helplines or a safety plan tool, when your conversation touches on topics that may be related to emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm. This banner is surfaced by a separate detection system, not from Claude directly.
These resources are there to make it easier to get help if you want it. You decide whether to use these resources, and there are no consequences for your account based on your decision to access resources.
If the banner doesn't feel relevant to your situation, that's completely okay—you can simply dismiss it. We'd rather offer support when it's not needed than miss an opportunity to help someone who could use it. After you see the banner, it won't appear again for about two hours, but you can always find a helpline at claude.findahelpline.com or make a safety plan on Koko's website.
What is a crisis helpline?
Crisis helplines are free services staffed by trained personnel (who could be a volunteer, a counselor, or an individual who has been through similar situations) who provide support during tough times. You can usually reach them through multiple options (often phone, text, and/or online chat). Most operate around the clock, every day of the year, so help is available whenever you need it.
What helplines offer
A caring ear: Responders are there to hear what you're experiencing, without judgment or criticism.
Safety support: If you're having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, they can work with you to create a plan for staying safe. You can also start a safety plan on your own with Koko (see below).
In-the-moment guidance: They can help you work through overwhelming feelings and figure out next steps.
Connections to ongoing care: They can point you toward community resources, support groups, or mental health services if you're looking for longer-term help.
Support for concerned loved ones: If you're worried about a friend or family member, helplines can help you think through how to be there for them.
You don't need to be at a breaking point to reach out. People contact helplines for all kinds of reasons—sometimes just to have someone listen.
How to connect with a helpline
Contacting a helpline is straightforward, and there's no special preparation needed:
Choose your method: Many helplines let you call, text, or chat online. You can check what's available and pick whichever feels most comfortable for you.
Speak freely: Share what's on your mind however it comes out. There's no script to follow. Something like "I'm not sure where to start" works perfectly fine.
Feel free to let them guide the conversation: The helpline responder will ask some questions to understand your situation and how they can best support you. You're always in control of what you share and where the conversation goes.
Share only what you're comfortable with: You can remain anonymous. There's no requirement to provide your name or any identifying details.
A few things to keep in mind
Crisis helplines provide immediate support, not ongoing therapy. However, they can help connect you with longer-term resources.
For medical emergencies, active injuries, or situations where you're in immediate physical danger, please contact emergency services (911 in the US or Canada and 112 in much of Europe) or go to your nearest emergency room.
What is a safety plan?
A safety plan is a short, personal guide you can turn to when things feel hard. It helps you spot your own warning signs, then lays out what you can do to get through the moment: things that help you cope, people you can reach out to, and ways to make your surroundings safer.
Safety planning is a widely recommended approach to supporting people who experience thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Who it's for
A safety plan can help anyone. It's especially helpful if you've experienced thoughts of suicide or self-harm, and it can also be a way to prepare in case those thoughts ever come up. It's best made when you're feeling a little steadier, so you have a plan to come back to when things get harder. In difficult moments, it can bring some relief and help you feel more in control.
A safety plan isn't a substitute for crisis support. If you're in crisis or thinking about hurting yourself right now, please contact a helpline at claude.findahelpline.com, or emergency services if you're in immediate danger.
Making a safety plan with Koko
It takes about five minutes. You're guided one step at a time, and you decide what goes in it.
It's free and anonymous. No account needed.
Nothing from Claude is shared. Koko doesn't see your Claude conversations or account.
About Koko
Koko is a nonprofit that builds free, anonymous mental health tools.
Understanding who provides what
Crisis helplines, Koko, and Anthropic are separate organizations with different roles. This distinction matters because it affects what kind of help you can get from each. It's important to note that:
Helpline responders are not Anthropic employees. They specialize in emotional and mental health support. Questions about Claude, your account, technical issues, or billing aren't something they can address.
Koko is not part of Anthropic. Koko provides the safety plan tool. Questions about Claude, your account, technical issues, or billing aren't something Koko can address.
Your Claude activity stays private. Anthropic doesn't send your conversations to helplines or to Koko. Neither has any information about what you've discussed with Claude or any details about your account.
Need help with Claude itself?
For anything related to Claude or your Anthropic account, here's where to go:
Support center: Visit support.claude.com
Account questions: Check your account settings for help options
Feedback on responses: The thumbs down button on any Claude response lets you flag concerns
Frequently asked questions
We worked with ThroughLine to provide answers to common questions about using a crisis helpline.
Is there a cost for using these crisis support tools?
Crisis helplines and the safety plan are both free. Standard phone or texting rates, as well as data usage, from your carrier may apply, but the service itself is free.
Where can I find a helpline?
If you're in the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text. For other countries, a directory of services worldwide maintained by ThroughLine can be found at claude.findahelpline.com.
Does talking to a helpline actually make a difference?
Studies consistently show that crisis counseling reduces distress and helps people feel more grounded. Responders are specifically trained to help during difficult moments, including supporting people through thoughts of self-harm.
I'm not in a crisis. Is it still okay to call?
Absolutely. Many people reach out when they're stressed, lonely, or just having a hard day. You don't need to meet some threshold of "bad enough" to deserve support.
Can I call about someone else I'm worried about?
Yes. Helplines support people who are concerned about others too. They can offer guidance on how to approach the situation and be helpful to the person you care about.
Are there options besides phone calls?
Many helplines offer text and online chat alongside traditional phone support. You can use whatever channel feels most comfortable to you. Additionally, the optional safety plan is a digital tool that can also be used.
Will the helpline contact my family or anyone else?
Generally, no. Conversations with support personnel are kept confidential. The main exception is if a responder believes there's an immediate, serious safety risk - and even then, they'll typically try to work with you first. Different helplines have slightly different policies, so feel free to ask when you connect.
What about non-English speakers or people outside the United States?
Helplines exist in countries around the globe, many offering support in local languages. You can locate services in your region on claude.findahelpline.com. The digital safety plan is currently available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese, with more languages added regularly.
Is it okay to contact a helpline multiple times?
Yes, though some services have guidelines around frequency. Feel free to ask about their approach when you're connected.
Does Anthropic send my Claude conversations to helplines or the safety plan?
No. Your interactions with Claude remain with Anthropic. Helpline personnel or the safety plan have no access to your messages, account information, or anything else related to your use of Claude.
What if I have to wait to speak with someone?
High demand sometimes means wait times. If that happens, you can stay on the line, try reaching out via a different method (chat instead of phone, for instance), or contact an alternative helpline. claude.findahelpline.com lists multiple options for most locations. Additionally, the safety plan can be completed digitally while you are waiting.
I feel nervous about reaching out.
That's a common feeling. Helplines understand this and won't push you to share more than you're ready to. You control the pace and depth of the conversation. If it helps, you might start with something simple: "I'm feeling nervous about this call."
How are the crisis resources in Claude selected?
We work with ThroughLine, an organization that curates and maintains a global directory of verified crisis helplines. The resources shown are selected based on your location to provide relevant, local support options. The safety plan tool is provided by Koko, a nonprofit that builds free, anonymous mental health tools.