Need to talk, but can't find your voice? Crisis Chat!

Hours: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm every day*
Or Call: (319) 351-0140 anytime
*Additional hours of service may be available

Crisis Chat is online emotional support for anyone in need. When problems become too big to handle, simply click the link below to log on. You will be communicating with a specially-trained volunteer who will offer non-judgmental support and can provide local resources. Crisis Chat is confidential and secure. Let your fingers do the talking to find help in a difficult time.

Click here to access Crisis Chat

If the service is offline, please call the 24-Hour Crisis Line at (319) 351-0140 to talk with a caring, compassionate volunteer.

How Crisis Chat Works

Crisis Chat operates just like any other instant messaging service. You will be connected to a private session with a peer counselor and will communicate back and forth.

To start a session:

Step 1: Click here to access Crisis Chat. The service is available 11:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Step 2: Click on the phone operator icon

Step 2: Fill out the Login Screen - you may login anonymously if you wish

Step 3: Read and accept the Terms and Conditions

Step 4: Type in the verification code

An active chat session window will open. Please be patient - the Chat Specialist may be involved in a session with another person but will start communicating with you as soon as possible.

On the Other End of the Connection

The Chat Specialist on duty can assist you through any number of crises - no issue is too big and no problem is too small. These volunteers have received special training to provide help using this format and are ready to listen.

What if Chat is Not Available?

The future plan is to make Crisis Chat available 24 hours a day, but currently it's scheduled daily from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. Chat may be available for additional hours on a day-by-day basis. The next scheduled session is listed here. If the service is offline, please call the 24-Hour Crisis Line to talk with a caring, compassionate volunteer.

Crisis Chat.org Partnership

The Crisis Center of Johnson County is proud to be a partner agency in the national portal, crisischat.org.

Crisis Chat is a collaborative service provided by crisis centers across the United States. Oversight and management of the service is provided by CONTACT USA.

All crisis centers participating in Crisis Chat are required to maintain accreditation by a nationally recognized crisis call center accrediting body such as CONTACT USA or the American Association of Suicidology. Crisis Centers are also required to be accredited by CONTACT USA in online emotional support.