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Programs that provide immediate assistance for parents who have abused or fear they may abuse their children with the objective of defusing the parent's anger and frustration and ensuring the child's future safety through referrals for ongoing support and treatment. Also included may be services for abused children and concerned others who are in need of advice, guidance and/or emotional support. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that provide immediate access to support and advice for people who are in distress with the objective of defusing the emotional impact of the crisis, ensuring the person's safety and helping the person to take the next steps toward resolving the problem. Hotlines/helplines are generally staffed by trained volunteers who are available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that provide immediate assistance for pregnant women who are hiding their pregnancies, considering abandonment or experiencing other pregnancy related issues. Included may be short-term emotional support, an opportunity to discuss alternatives, adoption referrals if wanted, information about Safe Haven programs and other resources. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that provide information and support for people, particularly youth, who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships or who have experienced date rape, verbal and physical abuse, threats of abuse or other forms of violence from a dating partner and need help to defuse the emotional impact of the crisis. Dating abuse hotlines may also provide assistance for concerned friends and family members, teachers, counselors, service providers and members of law enforcement. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that provide immediate assistance for women and men who have experienced domestic abuse which may include steps to ensure the person's safety; short-term emotional support; assistance with shelter; legal information and advocacy; referrals for medical treatment; ongoing counseling and/or group support; and other related services. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people who are concerned about their own gambling or the gambling of a friend or family member which may include short-term emotional support, an opportunity to ask questions and discuss alternatives and referrals to confidential treatment services. Helpline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people who are emotionally distressed with the objective of defusing the crisis, ensuring the person's safety and helping the person to take the next immediate steps toward resolving the problem. General crisis intervention hotlines are available to anyone who is experiencing a crisis rather than focusing people with particular types of problems such as domestic violence or child abuse. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that provide immediate assistance for survivors of human trafficking (i.e., individuals who have been abducted, sold, recruited under fraud or pretense or otherwise brought under the control of another person, and forced, by means of threats, intimidation, violence or other forms of coercion, into unpaid or underpaid labor, servitude or prostitution) with the objective of defusing the crisis, ensuring the person's safety and helping the person to get the support they need. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people whose emotional distress may range in severity from difficulty in coping with daily pressures to the crisis of a psychotic episode with the objective of defusing the crisis and helping the person develop a plan for establishing linkage with resources for ongoing assistance, if required. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that provide immediate assistance for children and youth who have run away from or have been pushed out of their homes or who are acting out and at risk of abuse. Included may be steps to ensure the youth's safety, information regarding the youth's rights and alternatives, and referrals for shelter, medical care, ongoing counseling or group support and other related services. Also included are programs that maintain a message relay system which allows runaways to contact their parents or other concerned individuals and receive messages from them. Helpline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people who are survivors of rape, incest and other forms of sexual assault which may include steps to ensure the person's safety, short-term emotional support, information regarding the person's rights and alternatives, and referrals and/or accompaniment to resources for medical, legal and emotional needs, advocacy and other related services. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that provide immediate assistance for individuals who are having suicidal feelings with the objective of helping them explore alternatives to self-harm or self-destruction. Suicide prevention workers establish and maintain contact with the individual while identifying and clarifying the focal problem, evaluate the suicidal potential, assess the individual's strengths and resources, and mobilize available resources including paramedic or police intervention and emergency psychiatric care as needed. These programs can also help individuals who are worried about the potentially suicidal behavior of another with the objective of helping them identify warning signs and provide options on seeking further help. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).