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VA Crisis Phone Line Texting Option  

Recently the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Crisis Hotline has started a texting option for veterans, active duty, and their families who need help. Those who would rather text than call or go online can send a free text message to 838255.

The confidential Veterans Crisis Hotline (1-800-273-8255, Press 1), online chat feature at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net, and text messaging service (838255) are monitored 24/7 by trained crisis responders.

The VA Crisis phone line was started in 2007 and responders have answered more than 500,000 confidential calls, resulting in more than 18,000 rescues. In 2009, the anonymous online chat service was added, which has already helped more than 28,000 people.