California Youth Crisis Line

California Youth Crisis Line

“California Youth Crisis Line offers 24-hour emotional support for youth, their families, and friends throughout California.”

About Us

We are a Sacramento, California mental health organization providing crisis counseling and short-term therapy. We help you access confidential sessions, same-day crisis response, and referrals for ongoing care.

Approach

When a young person or their family reaches out, our focus is on practical, calming steps that can be taken right away to reduce overwhelm and increase safety. Based in Sacramento and serving youth across California in English, sessions are brief, focused, and paced to match what feels manageable — we listen, co-create a simple plan, and offer resources you can use between contacts. This approach tends to suit adolescents and families seeking immediate relief and clear next steps.
Contact California Youth Crisis Line

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Services

The California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL) has been operating for over 30 years, serving youth and families of youth across California. CYCL is available 24/7 via phone call, texting, and chatting with a counsellor online.

To connect with a counsellor online, go to calyouth.org to get connected with a counsellor via text, text 1 800 843 5200.

CYCL's counsellors can handle a myriad of issues from; suicide, bullying, mental health, self-harm, runaway, experiencing homelessness, family issues, dating issues (violent and non-violent), teen pregnancy, LGBTQ+ support, to name a few.

CYCL's target age range is 12-24, and we offer resources across the state that are free to low cost for youth and their families.

CYCL offers a relay system to connect families and youth if they wish to leave a message for someone who may contact the line.

No issue is too big or too small to talk with a counsellor about, and if needed, we will connect you with the proper resource or be able to help ourselves with short term crisis counselling.

Works With:

  • •Adolescents

Service Area

California Youth Crisis Line

In-person

Sacramento, California

United States