Maryland's Helpline began in 1990 as a youth suicide prevention line. In 2014, the line expanded to serve adults with mental health needs. In 2015, the line expanded again to take substance use calls. In April of 2018, the Maryland Crisis Hotline partnered with 211 to provide Marylanders with an easily memorable number to call in crisis situations, as well as crisis text and crisis chat features.
Maryland's Helpline is available 24 hours/7 days a week to callers in need of crisis intervention, risk assessment for suicide, homicide or overdose prevention, support, guidance, and information or linkage to community behavioral health providers. Maryland's Helpline also provides assistance to access resources such as naloxone education, recovery support, veteran’s services and family services as available/appropriate for the individual.
Trained crisis counselors are available to assist individuals struggling with issues such as substance use, depression, anxiety, suicidal/homicidal ideation or intent, physical and sexual abuse, eating disorders, sexual identity concerns, running away, relationship problems, divorce, sexually transmitted disease, school issues or any other identified concern.