Catholic and Crisis Support Resources by Country — US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland

How to Use This Page

CatholicFaithPath is used by readers in many countries. Crisis numbers, support organizations, and Catholic social services differ significantly by location. This page provides country-specific resources so that anyone who needs immediate help can find it quickly.

If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services (911 in the US, 999 in the UK, 000 in Australia, 112 in most of Europe).

United States

Mental Health and Crisis

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate mental health crisis support. Available 24/7. Veteran-specific support available.
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for text-based crisis support.
• NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-6264 — National Alliance on Mental Illness, for those supporting someone with mental illness.

Catholic Mental Health Resources

• CatholicCare: Many dioceses operate CatholicCare counseling services. Contact your diocesan office for referral.
• Catholic Charities USA: catholiccharitiesusa.org — emergency financial assistance, food, housing support, immigration services. Search by zip code.
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul (US): svdpusa.org — person-to-person charitable service through parish conferences.
• USCCB Marriage Resources: foryourmarriage.org — Catholic marriage preparation and enrichment resources.

Marriage Support

• Retrouvaille: helpourmarriage.org — weekend programs for couples in serious difficulty.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224). If your marriage involves abuse, this is the first call.

Grief and Bereavement

• GriefShare: Many Catholic parishes participate. Find groups at griefshare.org.
• National Suicide Loss Survivor Support: Alliance of Hope at allianceofhope.org.

United Kingdom

Mental Health and Crisis

• Samaritans: Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) for emotional support in distress. Email jo@samaritans.org.
• Crisis text line: Text SHOUT to 85258 (Shout crisis text line).
• MIND: 0300 123 3393 — mental health information and support.
• NHS Urgent Mental Health: If in mental health crisis, contact your NHS 111 service or local crisis team.

Catholic Resources (UK)

• Catholic Charities / CAFOD: cafod.org.uk — international development and UK poverty work.
• Caritas Social Action Network: caritas.org.uk — Catholic social action network across England and Wales.
• Catholic Marriage Care (Cana): cana.org.uk — marriage preparation, enrichment, and counseling.
• ACCORD (Scotland): Marriage counseling with a Catholic ethos.
• Catholic Womens League / Knights of St Columba: Local parish-based support networks.

Domestic Abuse (UK)

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (free, 24/7) — run by Refuge.
• Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327.

Canada

Mental Health and Crisis

• 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988 — Canada's national crisis line, launched November 2023.
• Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7 crisis line).
• Kids Help Phone (under 20): Call or text 686868.

Catholic Resources (Canada)

• Catholic Charities (various dioceses): Each diocese has its own Catholic Charities organization. Contact your diocesan office.
• Catholic Family Services: Many major cities have Catholic Family Services offering counseling, family support, and crisis assistance.
• Development and Peace (Caritas Canada): devp.org — Catholic international development.
• Retrouvaille Canada: retrouvaille.ca — marriage restoration programs.

Domestic Violence (Canada)

• ShelterSafe.ca: National shelter finder for those fleeing domestic violence.
• Assaulted Women's Helpline (Ontario): 1-866-863-0511.

Australia

Mental Health and Crisis

• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention).
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 — mental health support, also online chat at beyondblue.org.au.
• Kids Helpline (under 25): 1800 55 1800.
• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 — national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counseling.

Catholic Resources (Australia)

• Caritas Australia: caritas.org.au — Catholic overseas aid and advocacy.
• CatholicCare (various dioceses): Counseling, family services, and pastoral care. Find your diocesan CatholicCare.
• Catholic Social Services Australia: cssa.org.au — national body representing Catholic social service agencies.
• MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78 — counseling for men, including relationship issues.

Marriage and Family

• Retrouvaille Australia: Check retrouvaille.com.au for weekend programs.
• FOCCUS Australia: Pre-marriage preparation resources for Catholic couples.

Ireland

Mental Health and Crisis

• Samaritans Ireland: Call 116 123 (free, 24/7).
• Pieta House: 1800 247 247 — support for those experiencing suicidal ideation and self-harm.
• Text About It: Text HELLO to 50808 (crisis text line).
• Aware: 1800 804 848 — support for depression and bipolar disorder.

Catholic Resources (Ireland)

• Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service: accord.ie — marriage preparation, enrichment, and counseling across Ireland.
• Trócaire: trocaire.org — Catholic overseas development agency.
• Crosscare: crosscare.ie — social care and support services in Dublin.
• St. Vincent de Paul (Ireland): svp.ie — financial and practical support through parish conferences.

Domestic Violence (Ireland)

• Women's Aid: 1800 341 900 (24/7).
• Men's Aid Ireland: 01 554 3811.

International Catholic Resources

• Caritas Internationalis: The global confederation of Catholic charitable organizations, operating in over 200 countries. Find local member organizations at caritas.org.
• Catholic Relief Services: crs.org — international development and humanitarian assistance.
• International Association of Catholic Bioethicists: Resources for medical ethics and end-of-life care.

How to Find Local Catholic Support

If your country or region is not listed above, the fastest way to find local Catholic support is usually through:

1. Your local diocese: Every Catholic diocese has a social services or charitable arm. Search for "your city Catholic diocese" to find contact information.
2. Your parish priest: Pastoral accompaniment is part of the Church's ministry. Your priest or deacon can connect you with local resources or provide direct support.
3. Caritas national member organization: Caritas operates in nearly every country. Find your national member at caritas.org.

Related Guides

• When to Seek Professional Help as a Catholic — practical guidance on when and how to access care
• When to Speak to a Priest — what pastoral care can offer and how to ask for it
• Catholic Guidance for Depression — Scripture, saints, and next steps for emotional heaviness
• Catholic Guidance for Financial Stress — faith and practical support for financial hardship