LifeNet - If You or a Family Member has a Mental Health or Substance Abuse Treatment Need

If you or someone you know in the New York City area is suffering with emotional problems or if you live anywhere in New York state and think you might need substance abuse treatment, we can help. Our staff of mental health professionals is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. You can reach us by calling any one of our three toll-free, confidential hotlines or visit the LifeNet website at http://www.800lifenet.org/cms/ .

NEW YORK CITY:

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)

NEW YORK STATE:

1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) -- HOPEline offering help for alcoholism, drug abuse, and/or problem gambling throughout New York State

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 use problems, whether they affect us directly or someone we care about. These problems may include:

• Family difficulties
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Depression
• 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 Crisis Counselors 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 Crisis Counselor 877-298-3373 or Cantonese- or Mandarin-speaking Crisis Counselor 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.

LifeNet is a New York City service and HOPEline is a New York State service. If you need information about programs outside these regions, LifeNet or HOPEline will refer you to another helpline that knows more about resources in your area.

How Does LifeNet Assess People in Crisis Who Are Calling?

Our Crisis Counselors are trained to assess the severity of the problem 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 immediate 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 New York, 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?

There is absolutely no charge to you. LifeNet and HOPEline are provided as free community service by the Mental Health Association of New York City, Inc. through contracts with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. 

Do You Have Special Services For Those Who Need Help With Alcoholism, Drug Abuse or Problem Gambling?

1-877-8-HOPENY specializes in offering help for alcoholism, drug abuse, and/or problem gambling for people throughout New York City and New York state.

HOPEline Services Include:

• Confidential assistance available 24/7 from clinicians who are professional, well-trained and knowledgeable in addiction services
• Crisis and motivational interviewing techniques
• Referrals to more than 1,500 local addiction prevention and treatment providers
• 48 hour call back to those who wish to be contacted
• Services in Spanish and English
• Informational materials

Warning Signs of an Alcohol or Drug problem:

• Using drugs, or alcohol to forget about your problems
• Difficulty caring for your children
• Troubled relationships with family, friends or colleagues
• Decline in appearance
• Hiding the amount of alcohol or drugs you use
• Frequently borrowing money
• Poor attendance or performance at work or school

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling:

• Thinks constantly about gambling
• Increases bets to sustain thrill
• Exhibits agitation when cutting back
• Gambles as an escape
• "Chases" losses with more gambling
• Lies to conceal their gambling activity
• Finances bets through illegal acts
• Jeopardizes significant relationships with family and friends
• Relies on others to bail them out
• Fails in their efforts to control or stop gambling