• Introduction

    Thank you for applying to volunteer with us at San Francisco Suicide Prevention! We sincerely appreciate your interest in our organization and look forward to learning more about your interest in crisis counseling. Before starting your application, please consider the following:

  • Do you have sufficient time to complete your application?

    The volunteer application may take anywhere from 30-40 minutes to complete. You will not have the ability to save your progress. We encourage you to only start the application when you have sufficient time to complete it in one sitting!

  • Are you comfortable answering phone calls on our Crisis, HIV, and Drug & Relapse lines?

    For the time being, all new SFSP volunteers must start as Crisis Counselors answering calls on our various lines. Volunteers are required to answer calls on all of our lines.

    • Crisis calls can encompass individuals looking for emotional support, all the way to experiencing suicidal ideation.
    • HIV calls focus on emotional support and resource allocation for individuals living with or at risk of contracting HIV. Counselors should be be comfortable using medical terminology and speaking about sexual activity.*
    • Drug and Relapse calls focus on emotional support for those engaging in or recovering from substance use.

    *You will receive ample training to prepare you for taking calls!

    After some time, you may be eligible to volunteer with our Outreach, Development, Youth, Creative, and Administrative teams.

  • Will you have availability for a 30-minute phone screen and 60-minute interview if selected?

    All prospective volunteers are required to go through a phone screen, followed by an interview, with an SFSP staff member. These interviews will be scheduled in the weeks leading up to the start of our cohorts. If you are not selected for an interview, we will notify you directly.

  • Can you commit to six Saturday training sessions?

    All new volunteers and staff with SFSP are required to attend our 6-week training program prior to answering calls on our lines. You may miss one session; however, completing makeup sessions will be expected. Specific training dates will be provided during the interview process. All training takes place in-person at our San Francisco office. If you are unable to attend the bulk of required training, we are happy to welcome you into a future cohort.

  • Can you commit to five weeks of mentorship?

    All new volunteers and staff are required to complete five mentorship sessions with a tenured volunteer or staff member. This will complement your classroom training and include call shadowing, technical training, and emergency procedure practice. Mentorship usually starts after the third classroom training. You must complete mentorship in full before starting your permanent weekly shift. Permanent shifts will be assigned approximately two months after the start of your cohort.

  • Can you commit to volunteering in-person at our San Francisco office?

    Effective Summer 2024, all new SFSP volunteers are expected to volunteer in-person at our office in downtown San Francisco. The exact location is disclosed before training; however, we are accessible by all forms of public transit and parking is available nearby. In-person volunteering guarantees you receive sufficient support during shift, and allows you to connect with other SFSP volunteers and staff! While remote volunteering may be permitted after approval, we are unable to support longterm remote volunteer positions.

  • Can you commit to volunteering for one year?

    All new SFSP volunteers are expected to commit to a weekly shift for the duration of 200 hours, or one calendar year (whichever comes first). While the 6-week training is not included, your mentorship sessions do count towards the 200 hour commitment.

  • Are you prepared to incorporate SFSP into your weekly routine?

    Your permanent shift will be a weekly, recurring shift. When the time comes, we will work closely with you to find a convenient shift time for your schedule. We are a 24/7 hotline, so there are lots of options! While we can accommodate shift changes with some notice (or in emergency situations), you are expected to commit to the same shift for the duration of your time as a volunteer -- this is an important part of scheduling and maintaining consistent coverage. In the event you need to miss a shift, you are expected to pick up a makeup shift.

  • We understand that volunteering with SFSP comes with a lot of responsibility. We have many volunteers who have been with us for years, and they can vouch for what a rewarding and impactful experience it is. Thank you for your thorough review of the above requirements! 

    As you complete your application, use your responses to help us understand who you are as a person, what motivates you to volunteer with a crisis center, and how you think you will add to the SFSP community. 

    We are excited to get to know you further!

    -The SFSP Hotline Team

  • Volunteer Application

  •  - -Pick a Date

  • *We will be using this e-mail address to send all further correspondence with San Francisco Suicide Prevention, and will not be sharing your e-mail address with any third parties. Please use an e-mail address you check regularly.

  • Demographic Questions

    Optional and confidential, only used for overall statistics on grants.

  • Work and Volunteer Experience

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  • References

    Please provide a minimum of three (3) personal references. We accept references from spouses/partners, close friends, and/or supervisors and professors with whom you have an established relationship. We will not review references from direct family members, therapists, or acquaintances.
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