Colorado Crisis Services is the statewide behavioral health crisis response system offering residents mental health, substance use or emotional crisis help, information and referrals. Its mission is to strengthen Colorado’s mental health system by providing Coloradans with greater access to crisis services wherever they are at 24/7/365 regardless of ability to pay.

Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential and immediate support. Our crisis clinicians and peer specialists are available 24/7/365 via phone, text, or in-person at our walk-in centers. If you don’t know where to begin getting help with a mental health, substance use or emotional concern—for you, or for someone you know—start here. Our clinicians will listen and care. We are dedicated to offering guidance, no matter what the issue.

When you call Colorado Crisis Services, you will be connected to a clinician—or you can choose to speak with a peer specialist who has gone through experiences similar to yours. We offer translation services in more than 200 languages for non-English speakers, we engage in immediate problem solving, and we can even make follow-up calls to ensure you receive continued care.

Depending on the reason for your call, you will either be connected to a clinician, or you can choose to speak with a peer specialist.

Our crisis clinicians are trained mental health professionals, and our peer specialists are individuals who have gone through experiences similar to yours and are now trained to provide support and guidance to others on a variety of topics.

Crisis looks and feels different for everyone—so if you find yourself struggling with any mental health, substance use, or emotional challenge, our services are for you. No problem is too small. Common call topics include: depression, substance use, grief and loss, self-injury, suicidal thoughts, bullying, stress, parenting concerns, trauma, drugs and alcohol, relationship problems, family crisis, anxiety, COVID-related challenges, domestic violence, homelessness, disability, concerns for a friend or family member, recovery support, and resource questions.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). Calls are routed by area code to regional providers. The area codes for Colorado are routed to one local certified Lifeline provider, which also happens to be the Colorado Crisis Services line provider. Most calls to The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are related to suicide prevention or rescue. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number (1-800-273-8255 (TALK)) will become 988 on July 16, 2022.

The Colorado Crisis Services Line is dedicated to Colorado and provides access to Colorado’s statewide crisis system. Anyone can call either number and get access to the same professional and expert response for any mental health or substance use crisis or resource need.

988—the new, nationally available three-digit number for connecting with suicide prevention and mental health crisis clinicians—is expected to be fully operational by July 16, 2022. All calls to 988 from a phone number with a Colorado area code will be routed to the Colorado Crisis Services line. Anyone in Colorado, regardless of area code, may continue to call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 for 24/7 counseling support from Colorado Crisis Services.

The clinician will ask for at least a first name and call-back number in case the call gets dropped or disconnected. However, it is not required to give your name.

The confidentiality and security of texts is ensured through the software provider, which uses the same encryption and data protection standards required by major financial institutions to transact business with one another. When using our text service, keep in mind that your information is being sent through your cell phone and involves technology outside of our platform. Contact your cell service providers for more information about security on their end.

Please note that text services are only available in English at this time.

Most of our walk-in centers are open 24/7 and offer confidential, in-person crisis support, information and referrals to anyone in need. If you need in-person assistance, or are helping someone with a crisis, you can always go to the walk-in center closest to you. Walk-in centers are located statewide, including the Denver Metro region, Northeast region, Western Slope region and Southeast region.

You’ll check in at the front desk and be asked to complete a brief screening to determine the next steps, which will likely involve meeting with a clinician for a thorough evaluation. This process helps decide what next steps are needed. This may also include a brief physical health screening by a medical professional.

You can use our services whenever you are experiencing any sort of mental health, substance use or emotional issue. No matter what you’re going through, we’re here to help. No problem is too small.

In order to begin talking with a crisis text clinician, text TALK to 38255. Please read the terms and conditions that are sent to you in the initial texts from us. We will also ask you for your date of birth and your zip code. After you have ended your text, you will get one additional followup question within a few hours asking you to rate the helpfulness of your text conversation. If you would like to stop receiving texts from us at any time, simply text STOP and you will be removed from our list. If you would like to begin talking to a crisis text clinician again later, just text TALK to 38255 at any time.

Our phone clinicians, as well as the staff at our walk-in centers, have access to more than 200 languages via telephonic translation services. Some of the walk-in locations may also have bilingual staff. Please note that text services are only available in English at this time.

If a clinician determines that the best intervention requires face-to-face interaction, a Mobile Crisis Clinician may be dispatched. A mobile clinician may travel to a variety of locations in the community (schools, homes, churches, etc.), including a discrete location of your choosing. In rural areas, it could take up to two hours for the team to arrive and up to one hour in urban areas. A telehealth option may also be utilized.

Crisis walk-in services are available regardless of one’s ability to pay. If an individual has private insurance, a co-payment and other out-of-pocket expenses may be required depending on the plan coverage to your insurance provider. However, no payment is required at the time of service, and no one will be turned away for crisis services, regardless of ability to pay.

It is free to speak with a clinician via our phone and text options. However, for texts, standard text message rates from your cell phone provider will apply (consult your cell provider for clarification). Please note that text services are only available in English at this time.

A family member or friend of an individual in crisis may certainly call the hotline and discuss the situation with the clinician to determine the best plan.

Opioid use disorder occurs when a person’s consistent use of opioids changes the chemistry of their brain, causing them to become reliant on the drug. If you are unable to stop despite the emotional, physical and social impacts it may be having on your life, don’t feel ashamed, we are here to help.

• Strong desire for opioids and inability to control or reduce use
• Continued use despite interference with major obligations
• Use of larger amounts over time
• Secretive behavior/disappearing for hours without explanation
• Nodding off, pinpoint pupils, slurred speech and drowsiness, and/or impaired memory and attention
• Development of tolerance
• Spending a great deal of time to obtain and use opioids
• High levels of spending or constant need for money
• Withdrawal symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing use, such as: Negative mood/mood swings, nausea or vomiting, muscle aches, fever, diarrhea, insomnia

What might start as a simple worry of fear can become a crushing feeling of the world closing in on you, or a tightness in your chest that can make it hard to breathe and even harder to think. If you or someone you know is feeling anxious, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

It might feel like you’re always being put down or pushed around. Like you’re someone else’s punching bag, or like there’s a target on your back. If you or someone you know is feeling bullied, either online or in person, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

Being on the outside when someone you love is struggling is one of the hardest things in the world. While you can’t always be the person who solves their problem, there are things you can do to help. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

It may feel like there’s no end or answers in sight, that you’re being stretched so far you’re about to break, or that you’re always alone, even on a crowded virtual conference call. If you or someone you know is suffering from COVID related stress or loneliness reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

It may feel like a lack of motivation, a loss of interest, a heaviness that’s weighing on you, or a cloud that’s constantly surrounding you. If you or someone you know is feeling depressed, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

Family issues always feel close to home – because they’re usually happening in your home. If you or someone you know is having a crisis at home, or with loved ones who are no longer in the home, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

It may feel like a struggle to make ends meet, or a battle to keep your head above water. If you or someone you know is experiencing stress, anxiety, or other concerns over financial pressures, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

For some of us, knowing where you are on the gender spectrum can be hard. And it can be even harder to come out and communicate your identity to your family and friends. If you or someone you know is struggling with your gender and identity, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

It can feel like you’re always alone, even in a crowded room. It can feel like there’s no place for you anywhere, or like you’re being swallowed by the silence. If you or someone you know is feeling isolated or alone, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

It may feel like you don’t have anyone to count on, or that you’ve been left out in the cold. If you or someone you know is experiencing loneliness, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

Love is one of the strongest emotions we have. That’s why it affects us so powerfully. Every relationship has bumps in the road, or even a moment when we know it’s time to walk away. If you or a loved one’s relationship doesn’t feel safe or healthy anymore, or you’re just not sure what to do next, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

It may feel like you’re carrying the world on your shoulders, or that you’re being stretched so far you’re about to break. If you or someone you know is suffering from stress, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

It may have started socially, in response to stress, or with what you thought would be a one-time experiment, but now it completely consumes everything. If you or someone you love is suffering from substance abuse, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help. Experiencing any of these issues? We’re here to help.

There are times when it feels like suicide is the only way out, but there is always a better option. And talking to someone about it helps more than you might think. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, reach out. You’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.

Some moments in life are so difficult, challenging, hurtful and heartbreaking that they never fade. They can follow you for years, and you can’t just ‘get over’ them. These moments might start to shape or define how you approach new ones, and usually not in healthy ways. If you need help carrying a burden or working through a moment in your past, you’re not alone. Support is just a call or text away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re here to help.