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Crisis Support & Emergency Resources Directory

​Immediate Crisis Support

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If You're Having Thoughts of Self-Harm

Call or text 988 - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  • Available 24/7, 365 days a year

  • Free, confidential support

  • Live chat available at suicidepreventionlifeline.org

  • Texto "HOLA" al 988 para ayuda en español

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Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741

  • Free, 24/7 crisis counseling

  • Text-based support for any crisis

  • Confidential and secure

  • Average response time: under 5 minutes

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Emergency Services

Call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger

Holding hands gesture

Specialized Crisis Support

Domestic Violence & Abuse

National Domestic Violence Hotline:

1-800-799-7233

  • 24/7 confidential support

  • Safety planning assistance

  • Local resource referrals

  • Text START to 88788

  • Live chat at thehotline.org

 

National Sexual Assault Hotline:

1-800-656-4673

  • RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

  • 24/7 confidential support

  • Local referrals

  • Online chat at rainn.org

LGBTQ+ Crisis Support

The Trevor Project:

1-866-488-7386

  • 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth

  • Text START to 678-678

  • Chat at thetrevorproject.org

 

Trans Lifeline:

877-565-8860

  • Peer support for transgender people

  • Run by and for transgender people

  • Crisis hotline and resource directory

Substance Abuse Crisis

SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

  • 24/7 treatment referral service

  • Free, confidential information

  • Mental health and substance use disorders

  • Available in Spanish

 

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Immediate Religious Trauma Crisis

If you're experiencing a spiritual crisis, panic about salvation, or family emergency due to religious changes:

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Recovering from Religion Hotline: 1-844-368-2848

  • Specifically for religious trauma and spiritual crisis

  • Staffed by people who understand religious conditioning

  • Available evenings and weekends

  • Online support at recoveringfromreligion.org

 

Journey Free Support

  • Founded by Dr. Marlene Winell (Religious Trauma Syndrome expert)

  • Online support and resources

  • journeyfree.org

Religious Trauma Specific Support

Digital nomad

Online Religious Trauma Communities

Reddit Communities (24/7 peer support):

  • r/ExChristian

  • r/ExMormon

  • r/ExJW

  • r/ExMuslim

  • r/ExCatholic

  • r/ReligiousTrauma

 

Facebook Support Groups:

  • Religious Trauma Syndrome Support Group (Private)

  • Ex-Evangelical Support Network

  • Post-Mormon Support Group

  • Search "[Your Former Religion] Recovery" for specific groups

Progressive Spiritual Crisis Support

Spiritual Directors International

  • Directory of progressive spiritual directors

  • Many understand religious trauma

  • sdiworld.org

 

Progressive Christian Resources:

  • The Wild Goose Festival community

  • Progressive Christianity Facebook groups

  • Sojourners community support

Family Crisis & Estrangement Support

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Family Rejection Crisis

If your family has cut contact or threatened rejection due to religious/spiritual changes:

 

Estranged Stories

  • Community for adult children estranged from family

  • Online support and resources

  • estrangedstories.org

 

Adult Children of Alcoholics/Dysfunctional Families

  • Support groups worldwide

  • Focus on family dysfunction recovery

  • adultchildren.org

 

Family Emergency Scripts

If family confronts you about religious changes:

 

Immediate De-escalation:

  • "I understand you're concerned. I'm taking good care of myself."

  • "I love you and need some space to process this conversation."

  • "Let's talk about this when we can both stay calm."

 

Safety Planning:

  • Have a safe place to go if needed

  • Keep important documents accessible

  • Have emergency contacts who support you

  • Plan transportation if you need to leave

Image by Sydney Latham

Mental Health Crisis Resources
Immediate Mental Health Crisis: 

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Specific Mental Health Conditions

Depression Crisis:

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  • National Institute of Mental Health: nimh.nih.gov

  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: dbsalliance.org

  • Crisis support and resource directories

Anxiety/Panic Crisis:

 

  • Anxiety and Depression Association of America: adaa.org

  • Panic attack management resources

  • Local support group directories

PTSD/Trauma Crisis:

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  • National Center for PTSD: ptsd.va.gov

  • PTSD crisis resources and coping strategies

  • Trauma-informed crisis support

Eating Disorders

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  • National Eating Disorders Association:

     1-800-931-2237

  • Crisis support for eating disorders

  • Chat available at nationaleatingdisorders.org

  • Often co-occurs with religious trauma

Self-Harm Crisis

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  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 Self-Injury

  • Outreach & Support: sioutreach.org

  • Coping strategies for self-harm urges

  • Recovery resources and support

Emergency Financial Assistance

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Salvation Army: 1-800-725-2769

Catholic Charities (serves all faiths)

United Way: 211 or united-way.org

Local food banks and community assistance programs

Financial Crisis Resources

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If Religious/Family Changes Affect Financial Security

211 - Community Resources

  • Dial 2-1-1 for local resources

  • Housing, food, utilities, healthcare assistance

  • Available 24/7 in most areas

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National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

  • Economic abuse resources

  • Safety planning for financial independence

 

Women's Shelters and Services

  • Local women's shelters often provide:

    • Emergency housing

    • Job placement assistance

    • Legal aid referrals

    • Children's services​

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Legal Crisis Resources

Family Law Emergency

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American Bar Association Lawyer Referral:

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  • findlegalhelp.org

  • Find attorneys who understand religious freedom issues

  • Family law specialists

  • Low-cost legal aid options

Family Law Emergency

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ACLU Religious Liberty Resources

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  • Know your religious freedom rights

  • Workplace and family law guidance

  • aclu.org

Workplace Discrimination

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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

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  • Religious discrimination in workplace

  • File complaints about religious harassment

  • eeoc.gov

Medical Crisis Resources

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When You Need Healthcare but Family/Religious Community Objects

 

Planned Parenthood: 1-800-230-7526

  • Confidential healthcare regardless of religious background

  • Birth control, STI testing, general healthcare

  • sliding scale fees

 

LGBT National Health Helpline: 1-888-843-4564

  • Healthcare resources for LGBTQ+ individuals

  • Confidential support and referrals

 

National Women's Health Network

  • Women's healthcare advocacy and resources

  • nwhn.org

 

Mental Health Emergency Services

Most hospitals have crisis intervention services. Community mental health centers provide emergency services; many offer sliding scale fees regardless of insurance.

Technology & Communication Crisis

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If Family Controls Your Technology/Communication

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Digital Security Resources:

  • Electronic Frontier Foundation: eff.org

  • Guides for digital privacy and security

  • Safe communication tools

 

Safe Communication Apps:

  • Signal (encrypted messaging)

  • ProtonMail (encrypted email)

  • Tor browser (private internet browsing)

 

Safe Computing:

  • Use private/incognito browsing

  • Clear browser history regularly

  • Use public computers if home computer is monitored

Specialized Support by Former Religion

Ex-Christian Support

  • Recovering from Religion: recoveringfromreligion.org

  • The Clergy Project (for former religious professionals)

  • Ex-Christian subreddit and Facebook groups

Ex-Mormon Support

  • Mormon Spectrum communities

  • Post-Mormon support groups

  • ExMormon Foundation resources

Ex-Jehovah's Witness Support

  • JWFacts.com crisis resources

  • Ex-JW Reddit community

  • Specialized therapy referrals

Ex-Muslim Support

  • Ex-Muslims of North America: exmna.org

  • Crisis support for leaving Islam

  • Safety planning for family situations

Ex-Orthodox Jewish Support

  • Footsteps organization: footstepsorg.org

  • Crisis support for leaving Orthodox communities

  • Practical assistance with secular life transition

International Crisis Resources

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If You're Outside the US

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International Association for Suicide Prevention

  • Crisis centers worldwide

  • iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres

 

Canada:

  • Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566

  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

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UK:

  • Samaritans: 116 123

  • Mind Mental Health: mind.org.uk

 

Australia:

  • Lifeline: 13 11 14

  • Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Crisis Safety Planning

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Create Your Personal Crisis Plan

Key Information to Organize and Have Ready Access to In Case You Need It

(You may copy & paste this page into a Google or other document)

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Warning Signs I'm in Crisis:

  •  ________________________

  •  ________________________

  •  ________________________

 

Coping Strategies That Help:

  •  ________________________

  •  ________________________

  •  ________________________

 

People I Can Call:

  1. ________________________ (phone: _____________)

  2. ________________________ (phone: _____________)

  3. ________________________ (phone: _____________)

 

Safe Places I Can Go:

  1. ​

  2.  

 

Crisis Numbers Programmed in My Phone:

  •  988 (Suicide Prevention)

  •  741741 (Crisis Text)

  •  1-844-368-2848 (Recovering from Religion)

  •  Other: ________________________

 

Digital Crisis Plan

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Safe Communication Methods:

  • Email account family doesn't know: ________________

  • Safe phone number: ________________

  • Trusted friend who understands: ________________

 

Important Documents Stored Safely:

  •  ID/Passport copies

  •  Birth certificate

  •  Social Security card

  •  Bank account information

  •  Medical records

  •  Insurance information

After the Crisis: Recovery Resources

Trauma-Informed Therapy

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Psychology Today Therapist Directory

  • Filter for "Religious Trauma" and "Spiritual Issues"

  • psychologytoday.com

 

Secular Therapy Project

  • Directory of non-religious therapists

  • seculartherapy.org

 

Open Path Collective

  • Affordable therapy ($30-80 per session)

  • openpathcollective.org

Support Groups

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Local Support Groups:

  • Adult Children of Alcoholics

  • SMART Recovery

  • Codependents Anonymous

  • Local religious trauma support groups

 

Online Support:

  • Religious Trauma Syndrome support groups

  • Ex-[Religion] recovery communities

  • Mental health support forums

Coaching & Professional Support

 

Religious Trauma-Informed Coaches:

  • Fearless Path (Jessica & Hannah): fearlesspathcoaching.com

    • Specialized religious trauma recovery coaching

    • Family systems healing after religious trauma

Emergency Fund & Crisis Assistance

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Crisis Financial Support

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GoFundMe Categories:

  • Medical emergencies

  • Family estrangement survival

  • Emergency housing

  • Educational funding after leaving religion

 

Religious Freedom Organizations:

  • Some provide emergency grants for those leaving high-control religions

  • ACLU emergency assistance

  • Local interfaith organizations

 

College/Education Crisis Support:

  • Many colleges have emergency student funds

  • Scholarship opportunities for those leaving religious communities

  • Educational freedom grants

When to Use Each Resource

Immediate Danger (Call 911):

  • Physical violence or threats

  • Medical emergency

  • Immediate safety concerns

Family Emergency:

  • Domestic Violence Hotline - For family abuse or control

  • Crisis Text Line - For family conflict support

  • Legal Aid - For family law or custody issues

Crisis But Not Immediate Danger:

  • Text 741741 - For emotional crisis, anxiety, depression

  • Call 988 - For suicidal thoughts or severe emotional distress

  • Call 1-844-368-2848 - For religious/spiritual crisis specifically

Community Support:

  • Reddit communities - For peer support and advice

  • Facebook groups - For ongoing community connection

  • Local support groups - For in-person community

Important Reminders

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You Are Not Alone

  • Millions of people have left controlling religious systems

  • Your experiences and struggles are valid

  • Recovery and healing are possible

  • Community and support are available

 

Crisis Is Temporary

  • Even severe crisis situations are temporary

  • Help is available 24/7

  • Small steps forward count

  • You don't have to solve everything at once

 

Your Safety Matters

  • Trust your instincts about dangerous situations

  • It's okay to prioritize your physical and emotional safety

  • You have the right to seek help and support

  • Professional support can make a tremendous difference

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Contact Fearless Path

If you need religious trauma-informed support:

  • Email: info@fearlesspathcoaching.com

  • Free Assessment: [Link to Religious Trauma Assessment]

  • Emergency Support: We maintain relationships with crisis counselors who understand religious trauma

 

We're here to support your healing journey, especially during crisis moments.​​​

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This directory is regularly updated. If you know of additional resources or find broken links, please contact us at info@fearlesspathcoaching.com.

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Last updated: July 2025 Crisis resources verified: July 2025

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