San Francisco Suicide Prevention (SFSP) is the oldest volunteer crisis line in the United States. It was founded in 1963 with the initial focus of providing telephone intervention to people experiencing suicidal crisis. Over the years, the focus of the agency has gradually shifted from strictly suicide prevention to more general counseling services. Services are provided 24 hours a day by over 150 trained volunteers with the supervision of a small multidisciplinary staff. SFSP is divided into four program areas which operate eight hotlines.

For more information on our programs or services, please call our office at 415-984-1900 during normal business hours, or drop us an e-mail. The 24-hour Crisis line is: 415-781-0500.

Crisis Line: 415-781-0500
This was the first service offered by SFSP in 1963. Today, 100 trained volunteers answer over 200 calls every day from people needing emotional support. Over the years, Suicide Prevention volunteers have saved thousands of lives. In addition, the program saves public resources by diverting many callers from unnecessary and expensive visits to psychiatric emergency rooms. Volunteers also provide emotional support on a daily basis to "regular" callers with chronic mental illness. The Crisis/Suicide lines are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Drug Information Line: 415-362-3400
Relapse Line: 415-834-1144
The Drug Information Line and Relapse Line provides supportive counseling information and a wide range of referrals to people with alcohol or other dependencies. The hotlines are open 24 hours a day and receive over 2,000 calls every year. This program is designed especially for San Francisco clients with hundreds of referrals to local agencies.

AIDS/HIV Nightline: 415-434-AIDS or 1-800-273-AIDS
Started in 1989, the AIDS/HIV/HCV Nightline provides emotional support, information and referrals to people with concerns about HIV and Hep C during the nighttime hours when other agencies are closed. Services are provided by over 50 volunteers. As the only service provider open during the nighttime hours, we receive over 15,000 calls every year from across the United States.

Linea de Apoyo: 415-989-5212 or 1-800-303-7432
Linea de Apoyo provides crisis support for Spanish speaking callers from the hours of 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. These dedicated peer counselors can address a wide range of issues ranging from domestic abuse and depression to AIDS and suicide prevention.

Survivors of Suicide Support Group:
Our newest program, the Survivors Group is a support group for family or friends who lost someone to suicide. This two-hour group will meet in San Francisco, one evening per week, for ten sessions. Please call 415-984-1900 for information and intake, or e-mail us.

Youth Risk Reduction Program:
When a young person is in crisis, they will often go to a peer before turning to an adult. This is why our Youth Risk Reduction Program offers youth-based presentations on the topics of Suicide and Self-destructive Behaviors. The presentation is designed to teach students how to recognize warning signs of depression and provides practical information on peer-based interventions. In addition, we also provide suicide prevention workshops for teacher groups and human service agency staff. The presentations are offered at no cost to schools and youth service organizations. For more information, contact the Youth Risk Reduction Program Coordinator at (415) 984-1900 or visit the website.

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