If you are in immediate danger
Call your local emergency number now. If someone may monitor your device, use a safer device when possible and close this page if that protects your safety.
Find a local crisis lineSupport
Trauma Support and Crisis Resources
A trauma test result is a starting point, not a verdict. Find immediate crisis help, confidential helplines, and guidance for choosing ongoing trauma-informed care.
United States: call or text 988
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support by phone, text, and chat in the United States and its territories.
Visit 988 LifelineOutside the United States
Find verified phone, text, and chat services by country through Find A Helpline. You do not need to wait until a situation is life-threatening to ask for support.
Search by countryHow to find a trauma-informed therapist or counselor
Consider a licensed professional who mentions trauma-informed care. Ask about experience, treatment methods, fees, confidentiality, and what to do if symptoms intensify between sessions.
- Bring your result only if it feels useful; you never need to disclose details before you are ready.
- A low score does not invalidate what happened. A high score is not a diagnosis. Context matters.
- Ask how the clinician handles pacing, consent, grounding, and distress before discussing detailed memories.
- It is reasonable to seek another provider if you feel dismissed, pressured, unsafe, or unclear about the plan.
What to do when symptoms feel overwhelming but not life-threatening
Reduce immediate demands, move somewhere that feels safer, and use a simple grounding cue. Contact a trusted person and keep the next step small: schedule care, contact a therapist, or call a support line.
Review a tool's limits before drawing conclusions. The PCL-5 PTSD self-check screens symptoms, while the ACE questionnaire counts selected childhood exposures. Neither can diagnose you.
Want to learn more before reaching out?
Browse trauma resources