# 911, 988 and 211: Crisis Lines in Western Massachusetts

> 911 for immediate danger, 988 for a mental-health crisis, 211 for help finding food, housing and other services: what each number does and when to call.

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- Emergency and Crisis Lines in Western Massachusetts: 911, 988 and 211

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# Emergency and Crisis Lines in Western Massachusetts: 911, 988 and 211

October 20, 2026 Dunn & Phillips, P.C.

## The short version

- Call 911 for police, fire or a medical emergency, whenever someone is in immediate danger.
- Call or text 988 for free, confidential support in a mental-health or suicidal crisis, 24 hours a day. In Spanish, text AYUDA to 988.
- Call 211 when you need help but it is not an emergency: Mass 211 connects you to health and human services statewide, in many languages, 24 hours a day.

On this page

- [911: immediate danger](#911-immediate-danger)
- [988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: a mental-health crisis](#988-suicide--crisis-lifeline-a-mental-health-crisis)
- [Mass 211: help that is not an emergency](#mass-211-help-that-is-not-an-emergency)
- [Keep them where you can find them](#keep-them-where-you-can-find-them)

Most people know one emergency number. In Massachusetts there are three worth knowing, and each one does a different job. Knowing which to call can get you, or someone you love, to the right help faster.

This post is part of a series on the organizations listed on our [community resources page](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/resources/). Dunn & Phillips is not affiliated with any of them; we list them because people who call us often need them first.

## 911: immediate danger

**Call 911** for police, fire and medical emergencies, whenever someone is in immediate danger. That includes a crash with injuries, a fire, a person who is not breathing, or someone threatening violence right now.

If you are not sure whether it is an emergency, and someone could be hurt, call 911.

## 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: a mental-health crisis

**Call or text 988.** The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support for people in distress, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In Spanish, text **AYUDA** to 988.

Call 988 if you, or someone you are with, is:

- thinking about suicide;

- in emotional crisis, or overwhelmed and unable to cope;

- worried about a friend or family member and unsure what to do.

You do not have to be in immediate danger to call, and you can call on someone else's behalf. More at [988lifeline.org](https://988lifeline.org).

## Mass 211: help that is not an emergency

**Call 211.** Mass 211 is the statewide line for health and human-services navigation. It is multilingual and answered 24 hours a day.

It is the number to call when you need help but do not know where to start, for example:

- finding food, shelter or help with bills;

- finding services for an older relative or a person with a disability;

- getting connected to local programs after a job loss or a family crisis.

More at [mass211.org](https://mass211.org).

## Keep them where you can find them

Save 911, 988 and 211 in your phone, and tell the people in your household which is which. In a crisis, nobody should have to look a number up.

The full list of local crisis, food, housing and legal-aid resources is on our [community resources page](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/resources/). The details there were last reviewed on June 22, 2026. Services and hours change, so confirm with the organization before you rely on them.

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This page is general information only, not legal advice for any specific situation, and reading it does not
create an attorney–client relationship. Every matter depends on its own facts; for advice on your
particular circumstances, talk to a licensed attorney. Published by Dunn & Phillips, P.C., 185 Belmont Avenue, Springfield, MA 01108. Responsible
attorney: Cornelius W. Phillips, III.

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