Parent Stress Line
1-800-632-8188
Free, Confidential & Anonymous
The Parent Stress Line offers a safe place for parents and caregivers to talk about the challenges of raising children and receive kindness, understanding, and the non-judgmental support needed to help prevent a situation from escalating into a crisis. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
"You're the first person who has really taken the time to talk with me." - Parent Stress Line Caller
Founded in 1979, the Parent Stress Line (1-800-632-8188) is the only helpline based in Massachusetts available specifically for parenting issues. It is uniquely suited to support parents and caregivers who are overwhelmed, isolated, or unable to ask for help from people they know. We receive approximately 6,000 calls annually from moms, dads, childcare providers, grandparents, neighbors, concerned older siblings, foster parents, and babysitters to talk about the challenges of raising children. During these calls, we offer support, empathy, encouragement, information and referrals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Parent Stress Line is a toll-free, confidential helpline for parents and caregivers who need to discuss issues related to parenting. That includes but is not limited to moms, dads, childcare providers, grandparents, neighbors, concerned older siblings, foster parents, and babysitters.
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A warm line is a confidential, free phone service offering mental health support. Unlike a crisis line or hotline, they are not intended for emergency situations.
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Our trained stress line counselors are a diverse group coming from a variety of occupational, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This means our stress line counselors are able to provide a personal touch, something which is critical for parents and caregivers dealing with sensitive issues around parenting and family life.
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Yes, however, you will need to provide your telephone number so a translator can join the call.
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Absolutely. You will never be asked to divulge personal information such as name and phone number unless there is an immediate threat of harm.
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Our counselors are available 24/7 to listen and provide a safe, non-judgmental environment. Their goal is to empower parents and caregivers to develop their own solutions to the difficulties they face.
About Our Parent Stress Line Counselors
Our volunteer counselors are incredibly skilled at supporting callers’ emotional needs and understanding the holistic nature of their concerns. Sometimes callers just needs a listening ear, and sometimes they need to work with our volunteers to identify resources and create an action plan. We aim to help the parent or caregiver finish the call in a better emotional place than when they started and to know that they are not alone.