The California Peer-Run Warm Line Now Offers Text Message Mental Health Support

SAN FRANCISCO — The Mental Health Association of San Francisco has expanded the service of the California Peer-Run Warm Line to provide SMS text message non-crisis emotional support from peers during all-hours, in addition to phone and webchat support.“You don’t need to be in [mental health] crisis to receive support,” said California Peer-Run Warm Line Director, Sarah Jean Flynn. “Preventative care can be reaching out to a peer counselor who has been there, and our text messaging service is available 24/7, just like our phone lines.”The California Peer-Run Warm Line provides peer-to-peer emotional support, information, and referrals to callers all 365 days of the year. Support is offered in English and Spanish, as well as 240 languages through translation on calls. Unique among other hotline and crisis services, such as 988, the Warm Line is staffed by 100-plus highly trained Peer Counselors who bring hope through their own experiences with mental health challenges.Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Warm Line experienced a significant increase in the number of callers seeking mental health support. Those who reached out expressed how effective the Warm Line support was in terms of preventing a mental health crisis from getting out of control. Some concerns of those who contact the Warm Line include: challenges with interpersonal relationships, anxiety, pain, depression, finances, alcohol/drug use, etc.

The California Peer-Run Warm Line is available by calling or texting toll-free 1-855-845-7415 or chatting online at www.mentalhealthsf.org/peer-run-warmline/.This public announcement of the California Peer-Run Warm Lines’ SMS text capabilities coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month [May 2023].