Support for dancers, on and off the stage.
Dance asks a lot of your body and your mind. Here are trusted places to turn for crisis support, mental health, eating disorder help, concussion information and dance health education.
Need to talk to someone right now?
These lines are free, confidential and staffed by trained counselors. You don't have to be in a crisis to reach out.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential support for anyone in emotional distress, plus prevention and crisis resources.
Crisis Text Line
Text with a trained crisis counselor about anxiety, depression, stress or anything that feels like too much.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referrals and information for individuals and families facing mental health or substance use challenges.
Specialized support
Support lines focused on specific communities and experiences.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Support for children and for any adult worried about a child, including parents, teachers and studio staff. Se habla español.
The Dancers' Resource
A program of the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) offering injury support, health care navigation, counseling and career guidance for professional dancers.
NAMI HelpLine
Free information, resource referrals and support for people living with mental health conditions and the families who love them. Not a crisis line: in a crisis, call or text 988.
National Alliance for Eating Disorders
Support, resources and treatment referrals from licensed therapists for anyone affected by an eating disorder.
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
Confidential support and local resources for survivors of sexual assault and the people who care about them.
Teen Line
Teens trained to listen and support other teens through whatever they are going through, by phone or text.
Trans Lifeline
Peer support run by and for trans people.
The Trevor Project
Crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people under 25, by phone, text or chat.
Veterans Crisis Line
Confidential crisis support for veterans, service members and their families and friends.
Care from someone who speaks dance.
DFD Dance Specialists are healthcare and wellness professionals who understand what dancers ask of their bodies. Find one near you.
Dance health & safety
Education, research, safety and clinical resources for dancers, parents and teachers.
CDC HEADS UP
Free information from the CDC on recognizing and responding to concussion, for parents, coaches and young athletes. A must-know for dancers doing lifts, flips, inversions and floorwork.
Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health
Resources, reports and guidelines that promote health and wellness in the dance community.
Harkness Center for Dance Injuries
NYU Langone Health center offering treatment, research and education to help dancers reduce the risk of injury.
International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS)
Research, resources and education on dance medicine, dance science and reducing the risk of injury.
National Dance Education Organization (NDEO)
Resources for dance educators and students on teaching, career development and continuing education.
Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA)
Education, research and clinical resources supporting the health of performing artists.
Performing Arts Special Interest Group, APTA Orthopedics
A physical therapy community focused on performing artists, with resources on injury recovery and reducing the risk of injury.
STOP Sports Injuries
Youth injury risk-reduction and treatment tip sheets from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, including one just for dance.
U.S. Center for SafeSport
Education and resources on preventing abuse and misconduct in sport, including tools for parents and youth programs.
Outside the U.S.
Befrienders Worldwide
Find emotional support and crisis helplines in countries around the world.
Healthy Dancer Canada
Education, resources for reducing the risk of injury and professional support for dancer health and wellness.
One Dance UK: Healthier Dancer Programme
Information and resources supporting the physical and mental health of dancers.
SANEline
Emotional support and information for anyone affected by mental health challenges.
Keep learning with DFD
More from Doctors For Dancers on dance health, care and education.
Know a resource we should add?
Tell us about an organization, hotline or program that supports dancers, and we'll take a look.
Disclaimer
About these hotlines: The hotlines and organizations on this page are run independently, not by Doctors For Dancers. Phone numbers, hours and services are set by each organization and may change, so please check their websites for the most current information. Doctors For Dancers does not provide crisis services. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
The resources provided on this page are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Doctors For Dancers and its affiliates do not endorse or guarantee the services of any individual or organization listed here. Users are encouraged to independently verify the qualifications, credentials, and suitability of any provider or resource.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs immediate assistance, please contact the appropriate emergency services or crisis hotline in your area.
By using this resource page, you agree that Doctors For Dancers is not responsible for any actions or outcomes related to the use of these resources.
Last updated October 2026.