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If you or someone you know in the New York City area is suffering
with emotional or substance abuse problems, we can help. We are
here, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Our staff of mental health
professionals speaks a variety of languages. You can reach us by
calling any one of our three toll-free, anonymous hotlines:
- 1-800-LifeNet (1-800-543-3638) (English)
- 1-877-Ayudese 1-877-298-3373 (Spanish)
- 1-877-990-8585 (Asian LifeNet)
- 1-212-982-5284 (TTY)
*** If you or someone you
know is currently in immediate danger of being harmed, we urge you
to call 911 now.
 What Types
of Problems Can LIFENET Help you With?
Many of us have concerns about emotional and substance abuse problems,
whether they affect us directly or someone we care about. These
problems may include:
- family difficulties
- drug or alcohol abuse
- depression
and bipolar disorders
- anxiety, phobia or panic disorders
- anger
- insomnia
- eating disorders
- schizophrenia and other psychoses
Serious emotional problems can affect your daily life. They can
sometimes escalate into crisis situations that, without proper treatment,
can cause serious harm.
What
Happens When You Call LIFENET?
One of our experienced referral specialists will listen to your
problem and work with you to assess your situation. We have several
phone lines for persons seeking to speak with a Spanish-speaking
referral specialist (877) 298-3373 or Cantonese-
or Mandarin-speaking referral specialist (877) 990-8585.
You will then be given information and a recommended referral in
your area, if needed. You can also call on behalf of someone you
know. We will need to know the person's age, neighborhood and the
type of problem.
Remember, LifeNet is primarily a New York City-area service, so
if you need more specific information regarding services outside
New York City, LifeNet will refer you to another helpline that knows
more about resources in the area you are interested in.
How Does LIFENET
Assess People in Crisis Who Are Calling?
Our referral specialists are trained to assess the severity of
the problems based on the caller's report. If they determine that
a certain level of risk is present, our specialist will contact
either 911 or a mobile crisis team to provide appropriate intervention.
LifeNet will then follow up with the responding agency to
check on the status of the person in crisis. However, over 98% of
our callers are not in crisis, and simply need information about
affordable services that can assist them in working through their
problems.
What Kinds
of Resources Does LIFENET Have?
We have access to a broad database of public and private community
resources. In the New York metropolitan area, there are thousands
of referral sources to meet your particular needs, right at our
fingertips.
Who Will Know
That I Called?
LifeNet is a crisis, information and referral service that
keeps all calls in the strictest confidence.
What Will
This Service Cost?
Nothing - there is absolutely no charge to you. LifeNet
is provided as a free community service by the Mental Health
Association of New York City, Inc. and the New York City
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
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