Terms and Conditions for Crisis Text Line

Welcome to the Crisis Text Line (“Service”), a text-based platform providing real-time crisis support. These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of our Service, operated by live persons, and provide guidelines for accessing and using the platform. By using the Service, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms. Please read them carefully.

By using the services of SPHS Care Crisis Program, you agree to receive messages that may include conversational messages, status updates, appointment reminders, and order/shipping confirmations. The frequency of these messages may vary based on your interaction with our services. On average, you can expect to receive 1-2 messages per month.

For more information on how we handle your data, please review our privacy policy at: crisis.sphs.org/privacy

1. Eligibility

By using the Service, you confirm that you are at least 14 years old, or if you are under 14, you have obtained consent from a parent or legal guardian. The Service is available only for individuals in need of immediate emotional support, guidance, or crisis intervention. (The age of consent is 14, however if someone younger than that calls, the specialist would still accept the call and work with the individual to attempt to engage a parent or guardian for consent.)

By using the Service, you confirm that you are a resident of, or currently located in Washington County.

2. Service Overview

The Crisis Text Line provides immediate, confidential text-based support to individuals facing emotional distress, mental health challenges, or other crises. Support is provided by trained crisis specialists, who offer empathetic and non-judgmental assistance.

3. What to Expect

  • You will be connected to a trained Crisis Specialist who will provide support based on your unique situation.
  • The conversation is confidential, within the limits of the law. If there is an imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, our specialists are required by law to take action, including notifying emergency responders or other authorities.
  • Standard messaging and data rates may apply.

4. Prohibited Use

You agree not to:

  • Use the Service for unlawful, harassing, abusive, or harmful purposes.
  • Send messages that are threatening, obscene, offensive, or discriminatory.
  • Use the Service for non-crisis-related purposes or solicitations.
  • Engage in any activity that disrupts or interferes with the operation of the Service.

5. Confidentiality and Privacy

  • The Crisis Text Line is committed to maintaining your privacy and confidentiality. The conversations are kept private, but certain legal exceptions exist.
  • In case of imminent danger to yourself or others, the crisis specialist will contact appropriate authorities to ensure safety.
  • Your phone number and any personal information shared during the conversation will be kept confidential, unless disclosure is required by law or when necessary to prevent harm.

6. Data Collection

We collect and store data related to the interactions with the Service, such as message content, time, and duration of the conversation, in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of our services. All data is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. We ensure compliance with Pennsylvania’s data protection and privacy laws, including the Pennsylvania Breach of Personal Data Notification Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to ensure that your personal information is protected.

7. Limitations of Service

  • The Crisis Text Line is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological treatment. If you are in immediate danger or experiencing severe mental health issues, please seek help from a healthcare provider or call emergency services.
  • The Service may experience interruptions or delays due to technical issues or service volume, though we strive to provide continuous support.

8. Termination of Service

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to the Service at any time if you violate these Terms or engage in behavior that disrupts the proper functioning of the platform. This includes abusive or harmful behavior towards the Crisis Specialists or other users.

9. No Guarantee of Availability

While we strive to offer timely support, the availability of Crisis Specialists is not guaranteed, and you may experience delays in receiving a response during periods of high demand. If you are unable to reach a Crisis Specialist, we recommend seeking emergency assistance through the local hospital or other urgent care facilities.

10. Disclaimer of Liability

The Crisis Text Line provides a crisis intervention service but cannot be held liable for the actions or outcomes resulting from the use of the Service. By using the Service, you agree to release the Crisis Text Line and its specialists from any liability related to the information or assistance provided.

11. Opt-In and Opt-Out

  • Opt-In: By initiating contact with the Crisis Text Line, you are opting in to receive crisis support via text. You acknowledge that you are voluntarily choosing to use this Service and agree to these Terms. Standard messaging and data rates may apply.
  • Opt-Out: If you wish to stop using the Service at any time, you can opt-out by simply ending the conversation or texting “STOP” to end communication. If you opt-out, you will no longer receive any messages from the Crisis Text Line, but you may reach out again at any time if you need support in the future.
  • Text Message Notifications: You may also receive messages occasionally or as needed based on interaction with the Service, such as updates on availability, service improvements, or surveys to improve the service. You can opt-out of such messages by texting “STOP” at any time.
  • Help: For more information regarding our text messaging and alerts, please text “HELP” to 724-715-3584, call 1-877-225-3567, or email crisis@sphs.org.

12. Modifications to the Terms

We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with the updated date. Continued use of the Service after such modifications constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms will be resolved in the competent courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

15. Contact Information

For any questions or concerns about these Terms or the Service, please contact us at:

Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Inc.
300 Chamber Plaza
Charleroi, PA 15022
(724) 489-9100


By using the Crisis Text Line, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.