Expanding Social Services Supports for Students

988 is now the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (or 988 Lifeline). When people call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline, they are connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing 988 Lifeline network, made up of over 200 local crisis centers. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States.

Crisis counselors are trained to answer calls, chats, or texts from young people in the LGBTQ community who reach out on this free, confidential, and secure 27/7 service when they are struggling with issues such as coming out, LGBTQ identity, depression, and suicide.

Provides 24/7 specialized services by veterans. You can call, chat online, text or contact us on social media @njvet2vet

Provides support, assessment, and, if needed, intervention in the most cooperative and least restrictive manner to New Jersey residents in emotional distress and suicidal crisis.

Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform.

Free, confidential call line focused on helping family members and friends coping with a loved one’s substance use disorder.

MentalHealthCares in New Jersey’s behavioral health information and referral service. Our staff of specialist uses their experience and understanding of the behavioral health system to provide callers information and connect them to the behavioral health and services they need, such, as legal, housing, employment, rehabilitation, inpatient and outpatient, self-help and more.

Peer Recovery Warmline (PRW) is a peer-run service providing ongoing telephone support to mental health consumers as they work towards their recovery.

NJ 211 provides live assistance 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Services are free, confidential, and multilingual.

There are several ways to reach these services:

• by the phone (simply dial 2-1-1)
• via text (send your zip code to 898-211)
• email (info@nj211.org)
• or chat online

Whichever method you choose, you will be communicating with a community resource specialist who has been educated about federal, state and local systems created to help people who are struggling. Our specialists have access to a resource database of over 8,800 community programs and services that assist people who need help with life’s most basic needs…. things like food, utilities, affordable housing, rental assistance, mental and physical health, substance use disorders, childcare, senior needs, legal assistance, transportation, disability services and so much more.

This site will help to see if you are eligible for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (WFNJ/TANF or WFNJ/GA), and health Insurance (NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid). From there you can apply for services or learn about additional resources.

Learn More: https://www.njhelps.gov/

Resources for college students:

• Food
• Housing
• Parenting
• Financial Aid
• Transportation

Learn More: https://www.info.nj.gov/basicneeds