diff --git a/echoircd.conf.example b/echoircd.conf.example
index e4422ca..b2d439e 100644
--- a/echoircd.conf.example
+++ b/echoircd.conf.example
@@ -120,6 +120,8 @@ amu_target    = both
 # --- chanlog (m_chanlog): mirror the oper server-notice stream into a channel so
 #     staff can watch it in a normal window. Set the channel (create/keep it opped):
 # chanlog = #snotices
+# --- helpmode (m_helpmode): no config — adds oper-settable user mode +h (helpop),
+#     which shows "is available for help" in the user's WHOIS.
 # --- globops (m_globops): no config — adds the oper command /GLOBOPS <message>,
 #     broadcasting to all opers (like the server-notice stream).
 # --- autodrop (m_autodrop): silently drop a not-yet-registered client that sends
diff --git a/src/coremods/core_info.rs b/src/coremods/core_info.rs
index ffb734a..480aaa9 100644
--- a/src/coremods/core_info.rs
+++ b/src/coremods/core_info.rs
@@ -253,6 +253,10 @@ impl Command for Whois {
         if let Some(line) = crate::modules::profilelink::line(s, &account) {
             s.numeric(uid, RPL_WHOISSPECIAL, &format!(":{line}"));
         }
+        // helpmode: +h marks a user available for help (visible to everyone)
+        if s.users.get(&tuid).map(|u| u.flags.helpop).unwrap_or(false) {
+            s.numeric(uid, RPL_WHOISSPECIAL, ":is available for help.");
+        }
         // customtitle: a claimed vanity title
         if let Some(line) = crate::modules::customtitle::line(s, tuid) {
             s.numeric(uid, RPL_WHOISSPECIAL, &format!(":{line}"));
diff --git a/src/mode.rs b/src/mode.rs
index 78bdb35..14c01d5 100644
--- a/src/mode.rs
+++ b/src/mode.rs
@@ -1064,6 +1064,7 @@ pub fn user_mode(c: char) -> Option<&'static (dyn UserMode + Sync)> {
 static USER_MODES: &[&(dyn UserMode + Sync)] = &[
     &INVISIBLE,
     &WALLOPS,
+    &HELPOP,
     &OPER,
     &CLOAK,
     &BOT,
@@ -1196,6 +1197,27 @@ impl UserMode for OperMode {
     }
 }
 
+/// `+h` — helpop: marks a user as available for help (shown in WHOIS). Only opers
+/// may set it on themselves; anyone may clear it.
+struct HelpMode;
+static HELPOP: HelpMode = HelpMode;
+impl UserMode for HelpMode {
+    fn letter(&self) -> char {
+        'h'
+    }
+    fn apply(&self, s: &mut Server, uid: Uid, adding: bool) -> bool {
+        if adding && !s.is_oper(uid) {
+            return false; // only opers may declare themselves a helpop
+        }
+        if let Some(u) = s.users.get_mut(&uid) {
+            u.flags.helpop = adding;
+            true
+        } else {
+            false
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// `+x` — host cloaking. The cloak string is computed once at connect by
 /// [`crate::modules::cloak`]; this handler only toggles whether it's shown.
 /// `-x` (revealing the real host) is oper-only, so +x can't be flipped to dodge
@@ -1301,7 +1323,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn registry_covers_all_user_modes() {
-        for c in "iwoxBDIHrRzsgWc".chars() {
+        for c in "iwoxBDIHrRzsgWhc".chars() {
             assert!(user_mode(c).is_some(), "missing umode +{c}");
         }
         assert!(user_mode('Q').is_none());
diff --git a/src/users.rs b/src/users.rs
index 5f19f29..b4ced01 100644
--- a/src/users.rs
+++ b/src/users.rs
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ pub struct UserFlags {
     pub snomask: bool,        // +s (oper: receive server notices)
     pub callerid: bool,       // +g (only accept PMs from users on the ACCEPT list)
     pub showwhois: bool,      // +W (get a notice when someone WHOISes you)
+    pub helpop: bool,         // +h (helpop: available for help; shown in WHOIS)
     pub deny_uncommon: bool,  // +c (only users sharing a channel may PM you)
     pub nick_locked: bool,    // NICKLOCK: services/oper holds this nick (no self-change)
     pub via_webirc: bool,     // connected through a WEBIRC gateway (securitygroups)
@@ -82,6 +83,9 @@ impl UserFlags {
         if self.showwhois {
             s.push('W');
         }
+        if self.helpop {
+            s.push('h');
+        }
         if self.deny_uncommon {
             s.push('c');
         }
@@ -465,7 +469,7 @@ impl Server {
             uid,
             RPL_MYINFO,
             &format!(
-                "{} echoircd-{VERSION} iowxsgBDIHrRzWc qaohvbeIklimnpstzCTcSNORMfjFLgGuBQAPJUdKXwD",
+                "{} echoircd-{VERSION} iowxsgBDIHrRzWhc qaohvbeIklimnpstzCTcSNORMfjFLgGuBQAPJUdKXwD",
                 self.name
             ),
         );