Emergency and Crisis Lines in Western Massachusetts: 911, 988 and 211
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.
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. 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.
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.
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. The details there were last reviewed on June 22, 2026. Services and hours change, so confirm with the organization before you rely on them.
Questions about a deadline or a potential claim are best answered early. An initial conversation with the firm is confidential and without obligation.