BILLINGS (AP) -- The Montana Mental Health Association has launched a hotline to provide services to people across the state who live with mental illness.

The Montana Warm Line provides telephone- and Internet-based support for people who are looking for help but are not in crisis. The hotline is staffed by people who themselves have a mental illness, said Galen Eldridge, administrative coordinator for the mental health association.

''They're not counselors or therapists,'' she said. ''This is just another friendly and understanding voice you can talk to.''

Callers can speak one-on-one with staff or dial in during group chat sessions. Telephone support groups also will be available for people with specific diagnoses, such as bipolar disorder.

The Warm Line operates from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The number is 877-688-3377. It is accompanied by a Web site at

www.montanawarmline.org.

A $67,000 grant from the state Department of Public Health and Human Services is funding the project.