In Crisis
Call 988
Are you experiencing an Emergency, threat of Suicide, Violence or Self-Harm? CALL 911
Tell the dispatcher the situation involves Mental Illness. Request a Crisis Intervention Team* (CIT) officer.
*CIT officers are trained in mental health de-escalation techniques to assist individuals affected by mental illness and their families. If you are within the city limits of Fairbanks, a Mobile Crisis Response Team may be dispatched to your location. A Mobile Crisis Response Team consists of a licensed counselor and a peer support specialist.
Crisis Response Agencies
24 hour Crisis Hotline
907-563-3200
Calls answered by mental health professionals who will assess the situation, engage in safety planning and link the caller to local resources.
Available 24/7/365
Alaska State Troopers
907-451-5100
Careline Alaska
1-877-266-4357
Alaska’s suicide prevention and someone to talk to line.
Available 24/7/365
Careline Alaska via Text
Text 4HELP to 839863
Available 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM Tuesday – Saturday
Fairbanks Police Department
907-456-6500
NAMI National Crisis Text Line
Text NAMI to 741741
Connect with a trained crisis counselor and receive crisis support.
Available 24/7/365
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
For victims of domestic violence. Available 24/7/365
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673
For victims of sexual assault and abuse. Available 24/7/365
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
Available 24/7/365
TrevorLifeline
1-866-488-7386
For LGBTQIA+ young people. Available 24/7/365
TrevorText
Text START to 678678
For LGBTQIA+ young people. Available 24/7/365
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255
Press “1”
For veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve, and their family members and friends. Available 24/7/365
Suicide is the 2nd Leading Cause of Death
In Alaska for ages 10-24 and 25-35
Know the Warning Signs
Warning Signs:
The following information is from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Alaska.
Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. This is of sharpest concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.
Talk
If a person talks about:
Killing themselves
Feeling hopeless
Having no reason to live
Being a burden to others
Feeling trapped
Unbearable pain
Behavior
Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change:
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods
Withdrawing from activities
Isolating from family and friends
Sleeping too much or too little
Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
Giving away prized possessions
Aggression
Fatigue
Mood
People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:
Depression
Anxiety
Loss of interest
Irritability
Humiliation/Shame
Agitation/Anger
Relief/Sudden Improvement
What Happens When I Call 988?
If you are in crisis or suicidal and call 988 you will talk to a highly trained and compassionate call center professional. All calls are routed to a call center where a crisis counselor will provide confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone of any age, including non-English speakers and those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
You typically will be greeted by an automated system and selection of prompts including options for Spanish speakers and Veterans. A trained crisis counselor will answer the phone and assess the situation and risk to determine how to best respond in order to keep the caller safe. Calls may last for as long as the caller needs to talk through the situation. In rare cases, the crisis counselor might need to alert local law enforcement to make sure a person is safe. In many cases a follow-up call will occur within an agreed upon timeframe.
(This information is from the Alaska Division of Behavioral Health.)