🚨 Emergency Contacts & Crisis Hotlines

US Crisis Hotlines

These services are free, confidential, and available around the clock. Save them in your phone before any psychedelic session.

• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 — Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information for substance use and mental health disorders. Available in English and Spanish.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 — For anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Connects to a network of local crisis centers. Also available via online chat.
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 — Free, confidential crisis counseling by text, 24/7. Useful when you cannot or do not want to speak out loud.
• Fireside Project — Psychedelic Peer Support Line: 62-FIRESIDE (1-623-473-7433) — Free, confidential peer support specifically for people having difficult psychedelic experiences. Available 7 days a week, 3 PM–3 AM PT. Staffed by people with lived psychedelic experience and crisis training.

Specialized Psychedelic Support

These organizations offer harm reduction support tailored specifically to psychedelic experiences. They understand the territory in ways that general crisis lines may not.

• Fireside Project: 1-623-473-7433 — The primary peer support line in the US dedicated to psychedelic experiences. Trip sitters can also call on behalf of someone in distress.
• TripSit IRC/Discord: Online real-time harm reduction chat at tripsit.me. Available 24/7. Trained harm reduction volunteers can help navigate difficult experiences and answer substance questions.
• Zendo Project (MAPS): Psychedelic harm reduction at festivals and events. Visit zendoproject.org for information and to find local resources.
• DanceSafe: dancesafe.org — Harm reduction for festival-goers; also provides drug testing supplies and educational resources.

International Crisis Hotlines

Crisis support is available worldwide. These lines handle mental health crises and can connect you to local resources even if they are not psychedelic-specific.

• UK — Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7, available in the Republic of Ireland too)
• Canada — Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (4 PM–12 AM ET)
• Australia — Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7) or text 0477 13 11 14
• New Zealand — Lifeline: 0800 543 354
• Ireland — Samaritans: 116 123
• Germany — Telefonseelsorge: 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222
• Netherlands — 113 Zelfmoordpreventie: 0800 0113
• International Directory: findahelpline.com

MAPS Crisis & Support Resources

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) offers a variety of resources for people in crisis or seeking support after a difficult experience:

• Post-session support guidelines at maps.org
• Referral network to MAPS-trained therapists
• Research participant support lines for those enrolled in clinical trials
• Community resources through their Zendo Project harm reduction program

When to Call 911

Call emergency services immediately if you observe any of the following:

• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing or stopped breathing
• Signs of serotonin syndrome: high fever, rigid muscles, rapid heart rate, agitation
• Extreme overheating with very hot, dry skin (hyperthermia)
• Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
• Violent or self-harming behavior that cannot be safely managed
• Person is under 18 and in distress
• Any situation where you feel genuinely unsure of safety

When calling 911, tell the dispatcher that the person has taken a psychedelic substance. Most jurisdictions have Good Samaritan laws that provide some legal protection when seeking emergency help for overdose. In most cases, helping someone in danger is far more important than any potential legal concern.

FAQ

Will I get in trouble for calling 911 if someone takes mushrooms?

In most US states, Good Samaritan laws provide some legal protection when you call 911 for a drug-related emergency. The protection varies by state and typically covers you and the person in need. Always prioritize safety — a person's life is never worth risking over legal concerns. Many emergency responders take a non-judgmental, health-first approach.

What is the Fireside Project and how is it different from 988?

The Fireside Project (1-623-473-7433) is a peer support line specifically designed for psychedelic experiences. Staff are trained in psychedelic harm reduction and many have personal experience with difficult trips. The 988 Lifeline is a broader mental health crisis line that can help with suicidal ideation and emotional distress but may not have specific psychedelic expertise. Both are valuable; the Fireside Project is best suited to ongoing psychedelic distress while 988 handles broader mental health crises.

Can I call a crisis line for someone else who is having a bad trip?

Yes. You can call the Fireside Project (1-623-473-7433), 988, or SAMHSA (1-800-662-4357) on behalf of someone else. Describe what you are observing and they will guide you on how to help. You do not need to be the person in distress to call.

What does SAMHSA do and when should I call them?

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) operates a 24/7 helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for treatment referrals and information. Call them when someone needs help finding a mental health or substance use treatment provider, not necessarily during an acute crisis but when ongoing support is needed.

What is the Crisis Text Line and when is it useful?

The Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741) connects you with a trained crisis counselor via text message. It is particularly useful when you cannot speak out loud, are in a public place, are hearing impaired, or simply prefer text communication. Response times are usually a few minutes and the service is free and confidential.

Are these hotlines confidential?

Yes, most crisis lines are confidential. They are not required to report drug use to law enforcement. The main exceptions involve immediate risk of harm to self or others, or situations involving minors in danger. Callers are not identified to police simply for mentioning drug use.

What international options are available outside the US?

Samaritans serves the UK and Ireland at 116 123. Canada has Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566. Australia has Lifeline at 13 11 14. A global directory of crisis lines is maintained at findahelpline.com. The TripSit online chat at tripsit.me is available globally and offers psychedelic-specific harm reduction support.

Should I tell the crisis counselor what substances were taken?

Yes, being honest about what was taken and approximately how much helps the counselor give better guidance. Crisis lines are not law enforcement and this information is used only to help the person in distress. Emergency responders also need to know substance information to provide appropriate medical care.

What if a person is violent or I feel physically unsafe?

Call 911 immediately if someone poses a physical danger to themselves or others. Move yourself to a safe location first. When calling 911, mention that the situation may involve a mental health crisis and that a psychedelic substance was taken — some areas have crisis intervention teams that can respond with both police and mental health professionals.

Are there resources specifically for psychedelic experiences at festivals?

Yes. The Zendo Project (run by MAPS) provides on-site psychedelic harm reduction support at many major festivals. DanceSafe also operates at events and offers drug testing and education. If you are at a festival, look for the harm reduction tent — these trained volunteers specialize in supporting difficult experiences in festival environments.