OpenAI recently released the "Crisis Helpline Support in ChatGPT" description in the Help Center, introducing the new crisis help prompts and localized hotline support functions in ChatGPT, Sora, and ChatGPT Atlas. By partnering with ThroughLine, when the system detects content that may be related to psychological or emotional distress, it will display gentle prompts such as "Help is available" or "Just checking in" in the product interface, guiding users to view crisis hotlines and helplines applicable to their region with one click. The article emphasizes that if you feel you may be in danger or find it difficult to keep yourself safe, direct contact with crisis hotlines or local emergency services remains the most important next step.
The document begins by explaining the role of a crisis hotline: typically 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with confidential, non-judgmental listening and support provided by professionals or volunteers in training to help callers ease emotions, develop safety plans, and connect them to long-term mental health resources. Users don't have to wait until "something is going to happen soon" to ask for help, but can also contact the hotline by phone, text message or online chat when they feel too stressed and difficult to cope; Both call for yourself and ask for advice when you are worried about others. In the United States, call or text 988 to connect to Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; Other countries and regions can find local services through directories such as Find a Helpline.
OpenAI also pointed out that crisis hotlines are not suitable for medical emergencies, long-term psychotherapy, legal or economic counseling, etc.; If you need emergency medical treatment after self-injury, you should contact the local emergency number directly or go to the emergency room. In addition, the crisis service is completely independent of OpenAI, and the hotline operator cannot view the user's ChatGPT conversation history or account information, and OpenAI does not share chats with the hotline agency. The hotline cannot accept product failures, account issues, or feedback; For product support, requests should be submitted through the "Contact us" process in the OpenAI Help Center. The FAQs at the end of the article provide further explanation of fees, anonymity, privacy exceptions, and specific ways the hotline can provide support.
FAQ
Q: What does the "Help is available" and "Just checking in" prompts in ChatGPT mean?
A: This is a care reminder displayed when the system detects content that may be related to psychological or emotional distress, so that users can check local crisis hotlines and support resources with one click, and it is entirely up to the user to contact them.
Q: Are these crisis hotlines operated by OpenAI itself?
A: No. Directories such as crisis hotlines and Find a Helpline are independent organizations, and users communicate with them directly with the service, and OpenAI does not participate in the conversation or provide users with chat content in ChatGPT.
Q: If there is an account login, deduction or product failure, can I call the crisis hotline?
A: No. The crisis hotline is only responsible for emotional distress and psychological crisis support, and cannot submit tickets or modify OpenAI accounts. If you encounter product-related issues, you should go to the OpenAI Help Center and submit a request through the "Contact us" option as guided.
Q: Is there a fee to use the crisis hotline and provide a real identity?
A: The description mentions that the hotline itself is usually free, and may incur up to operator call or SMS charges, and it is generally not mandatory to provide identity information such as name, and the specific rules are subject to the terms and privacy policies of each hotline.
Q: How can I find available crisis support if not in the United States?
A: Users outside the United States can check local phone, text, or online chat services through trusted directories such as Find a Helpline, and choose an organization that suits their language and contact information for help.
