Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions. If you need help with problems that you are having in your life right now, please call our Hotline counselors at 1-800-448-3000.

Q. I emailed you, but don't see anything posted yet.

Your question won't appear immediately.

A Boys Town Hotline counselor will review and attempt to answer questions within two days. We may edit your message and may not post it depending on the content of the email or its response.

Q. I don't want anyone to find out it's me - what should I do?

  • Don't send or write anything that could allow someone to figure out who you are or where you live.
  • Don't use your real full name (first name is ok)
  • Don't give your street address or phone number
  • Don't post the name of your school, club or association
  • Don't list names of friends (give them a nickname instead)

Boys Town National Hotline will do what it deems best to safeguard the information that you share with us. However, if we believe that sharing information is the correct thing to do, we will do so. By way of example, but not all inclusive, we may provide information to others if you give the counselor identifying information (your name, address or phone number) and:

You tell the counselor that you have harmed yourself in the past, are about to harm yourself, will harm yourself in the future, or if some life threatening act is present or imminent.

OR

You tell the counselor that someone has harmed you in the past, is harming you now or will harm you in the near future.

When these things happen together, then the counselor is obligated by law to help you by informing the police and/or child protection authorities. Please see Boys Town Hotline Intellectual Property Disclaimer and User Agreement for disclaimers regarding the content and posting of materials on our website.