San Francisco Suicide Prevention (SFSP) provides 24/7 emotional support on all our confidential hotlines. Serving the community with compassion and care, SFSP offers educational trainings on prevention and crisis intervention for organizations and schools and peer led grief support groups for those who have lost someone to suicide.
San Francisco Suicide Prevention (SFSP) provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention services. Founded in 1962 by Bernard Mayes, SFSP is the oldest community-based telephone crisis center in the United States. With the support of over 200 volunteers and staff, SFSP is available to help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
SFSP’s Crisis Line assists those experiencing or at risk of a crisis, with the goal of reducing suicides and self-destructive behaviors. Our hotline programs include HIV Nightline, Drug Info Line, Relapse Line and a Crisis Support Text line. In addition, we offer educational prevention and intervention trainings for organizations and schools and a peer led grief support group for loss survivors.
SFSP merged into Felton Institute in 2019, bringing together two of the most enduring mental health and crisis intervention agencies in Northern California. The partnership provides continuous care and services for people in crisis and emotional distress.
Anyone can call our crisis line, but those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or concerned about someone else are prioritized and highly encouraged to call or text SFSP.
While we receive and accept calls from anyone, we are the designated suicide prevention crisis line center for San Francisco County. Our HIV Nightline is available nationally.
SFSP answers 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline calls for San Francisco.
24-Hour Emergency Hotlines
Help is always available on San Francisco Suicide Prevention’s Confidential Hotlines. We are here for you 24/7, 365 days a year!
- 24/7 Crisis Line: (415) 781-0500
- HIV Nightline: (415) 434-2437 (Local)
- HIV Nightline: 1-800-273-2437 (National)
- TTY Line: (415) 227-0245
- Drug Info Line: (415) 362-3400
- Relapse Line: (415) 834-1144
For more information, visit the SFSP Website.
Mission & History
The mission of San Francisco Suicide Prevention is to provide emotional support, education, assistance, and intervention as necessary to all persons in crisis and those impacted by them, with the goal of reducing suicides and self-destructive behaviors.
In 1962, San Francisco Suicide Prevention started in a basement apartment on Polk St., below a tattoo parlor with six volunteers, all personally trained by Bernard Mayes, the agency’s founder.
Programs
San Francisco Suicide Prevention is here to help 24 hours a day, every day of the week. We offer many programs to help you reduce emotional pain and to learn how to help yourself and your friends and family through crisis. Our programs enable us to help people de-escalate and assist those who are at risk of feeling suicidal.
- 24/7 Suicide Prevention Hotline
- Grief Support Group
- Youth Risk Reduction Outreach
- Community Education and Outreach
If you have any questions about any of SFSP’s programs and services, please call our administrative office at (415) 984-1900 and visit the SFSP Website.
Volunteer With Us!
Currently, you must be 20 years old or older to volunteer as a hotline counselor. You do not need to have previous experience; we provide comprehensive training and mentorship before you can answer calls on the lines.
We accept volunteer applications on a rolling basis and start new cohorts 5-6 times a year. Each cohort will meet in person on Saturdays to receive didactic trainings from staff; mentorship times are based on you and your mentor’s schedule.
For more information and to apply, please visit the SFSP Website.
Interested in Volunteering?
Learn more about being a hotline counselor.
OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION
Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Are you looking for information about our programs, training and presentations, educational materials, support groups, and other resources? If so please reach out to our supportive staff during standard 9 AM – 5 PM Monday to Friday business hours.
For crisis situations, you can reach us 24/7 through our crisis hotline and textline services.
GENERAL EMAIL (M-F, 9 AM – 5 PM)
Email: sfsuicide@felton.org
PHONE
24/7 Crisis Line: (415) 781-0500
Business: (415) 984-1900
TTY: (415) 227-0245
Fax: (415) 227-0247
MAILING ADDRESS
San Francisco Suicide Prevention,
P.O. Box 191350,
San Francisco, CA 94119