Before we get started, here is some important information about the NAMI HelpLine.
By continuing to access NAMI HelpLine services you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy below in its entirety.
THE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT PROVIDED THROUGH THE HELPLINE SERVICES ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND JUDGMENT OF QUALIFIED PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, PHYSICIANS AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. YOU HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT HELPLINE SERVICE DO NOT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF ANY PSYCHIATRIC, MEDICAL, NURSING OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS TALK TO YOUR MENTAL OR PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR SPECIFIC GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS, INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS. IN PROVIDING THE HELPLINE SERVICES, WE ARE IN NO WAY REPRESENTING OR WARRANTING THAT SUCH SERVICES ARE APPLICABLE OR APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR NEEDS AND/OR CONDITION. IF YOU HAVE OR SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE A PSYCHIATRIC OR MEDICAL PROBLEM OR CONDITION, PLEASE CONTACT A QUALIFIED MENTAL OR PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU ARE IN THE UNITED STATES AND ARE EXPERIENCING A PSYCHIATRIC OR MEDICAL EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 911 OR CALL FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL HELP ON THE NEAREST TELEPHONE.
You can access and use the HelpLine Services without being asked to provide us with any identifying information. However, if you contact us by phone, we will collect – or ask that you provide us – with your phone number.
You agree to use the HelpLine Services only for lawful and legitimate purposes, in accordance with these Terms of Service. You agree not to:
We reserve the right to determine the length of any HelpLine Session. Additionally, NAMI – and our HelpLine staff – reserve the right to terminate your chat/phone session, or access to the HelpLine Services at any time, for any reason, including i) if we believe that you would be better served by a different treatment modality, or ii) for violating the acceptable use guideline, or iii) in order to be able service/respond to other users, or iv) for any other reason.
The information and treatment resources are provided by the NAMI HelpLine as a convenience to you, but NAMI makes no warranty or guarantee about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the HelpLine Services. NAMI is not responsible for any decisions, or results of the decisions that are made, in response to or after your participation in the HelpLine session. You hereby assume all risks of using the NAMI HelpLine Services. Neither NAMI nor any of our employees, staff, volunteers, or agents will be or is responsible for your use of the HelpLine Services, and any decisions, or results of the decisions that you make – this includes whether you choose to seek or not seek professional care, or to modify or terminate any specific treatment or activity.
ALL HELPLINE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” OR “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS, AND NAMI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE HELPLINE SERVICES, WHETHER IMPLIED, EXPRESS, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, QUIET ENJOYMENT AND ACCURACY. NAMI MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT THE HELPLINE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED.
In addition to the above warranty disclaimers, YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT IN NO EVENT WILL NAMI AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, PERSONAL INJURY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO NEGLIGENCE OR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE) OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH USE OF THE HELPLINE SERVICES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY DAMAGES CAUSED BY OR RESULTING FROM RELIANCE BY YOU ON ANY INFORMATION OR GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY NAMI, EVEN IF NAMI HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITIES OF THOSE DAMAGES. YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THE HELPLINE IS PREDICATED UPON YOUR WAIVER OF ANY RIGHT TO SUE NAMI AND ITS AFFILIATES DIRECTLY OR TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR ANY LOSSES OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM YOUR USE OF THE HELPLINE.
CERTAIN STATE LAWS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES. IF THESE LAWS APPLY TO YOU, SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE DISCLAIMERS, EXCLUSIONS, OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU, AND YOU MIGHT HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.
While we strive to keep all conversations and chats confidential, there are instances in which we may disclose certain information to third parties. For example, if a staff member you are communicating with believes you are at imminent risk of death or serious injury – either from yourself or others – we may alert law enforcement, emergency services or other resources.
Unless otherwise required by applicable law or in response to a subpoena that we reasonably believe is valid, we will not disclose personal or sensitive information to parents, legal guardians, or other individuals. Our HelpLine Specialists are located in multiple states in the United States; while all of our Specialists are trained, they are not working as licensed mental health workers and may not be trained in your state’s law. Other state laws may apply to your communications, and those state laws may not protect your communications to the same degree, or in the same way, as the laws of your state.
The use of the HelpLine Services is intended solely for users who are 13 years of age or older, and any use of the HelpLine Services by anyone under 13 is unauthorized.
We employ commercially reasonable security controls to protect the HelpLine from unauthorized intrusion. However, we cannot guarantee that the HelpLine Services will be protected from intruders or interceptors. You hereby acknowledge and understand that the use of the HelpLine Services – and submission of any information – is at your own risk. You agree that NAMI has no liability regarding unauthorized access to your HelpLine communications.
These HelpLine Services Terms of Services also incorporate NAMI’s website Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. To the extent there is a conflict between the terms in these HelpLine Terms of Service and any other terms, these HelpLine Services Terms of Service will govern to the extent of the conflict, solely relating to such HelpLine Services.
You agree that the statutes and laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to principles of conflicts of law in Virginia or elsewhere, shall apply to all matters arising from or relating to use of this HelpLine Services. You and NAMI also agree and hereby submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the state and/or federal courts located closest in proximity to the NAMI National Office in Arlington, Virginia should any matter arise related to NAMI.
YOU AND NAMI AGREE THAT ANY PROCEEDINGS TO RESOLVE OR LITIGATE ANY DISPUTE WILL BE CONDUCTED SOLELY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, AND THAT NEITHER YOU NOR NAMI WILL SEEK TO HAVE ANY DISPUTE HEARD AS A CLASS ACTION, A REPRESENTATIVE ACTION, A COLLECTIVE ACTION, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ACTION, OR IN ANY PROCEEDING IN WHICH YOU OR NAMI ACTS OR PROPOSES TO ACT IN A REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY. YOU AND NAMI FURTHER AGREE THAT NO PROCEEDING WILL BE JOINED, CONSOLIDATED, OR COMBINED WITH ANOTHER PROCEEDING WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF YOU, NAMI, AND ALL PARTIES TO ANY SUCH PROCEEDING.
These Terms of Service constitute the entire agreement between you and NAMI and govern your use of the HelpLine Services, superseding any prior agreements between you and NAMI. Failure by NAMI to insist on strict performance of any of the terms and conditions of these Terms of Service will not operate as a waiver by NAMI of that or any subsequent default or failure of performance. We reserve the right to limit the availability of the HelpLine Services to any person, geographic area, or jurisdiction, at any time and in our sole discretion, and to limit the service or other features that the HelpLine provides. If any provision (or part thereof) contained in these Terms of Service is determined to be void, invalid, or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or on account of a conflict with an applicable government regulation, such determination shall not affect the remaining provisions (or parts thereof) contained herein and the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable clause shall be modified in compliance with applicable law in a manner that most closely matches the intent of the original language. No joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship exists between you and NAMI as a result of these Terms of Service or your use of the NAMI HelpLine. Headings herein are for convenience only.
NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
