San Francisco Suicide Prevention Hotline and Textline Numbers

Updated

San Francisco Suicide Prevention (SFSP), part of the Felton Institute, runs confidential 24/7 hotlines and textlines. If you need help now, call the main crisis line at 415-781-0500, or dial 988 for the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For text support, send CRISIS, YOUTH, or HIV to (415) 200-2920. All of these lines are described as free, confidential, and available 24/7, 365 days a year, staffed by trained volunteers.

Phone Lines by Need

Need Number Notes
General crisis support (415) 781-0500 24/7 crisis line
HIV-related support (local) (415) 434-2437 HIV Nightline
HIV-related support (toll-free) 1-800-273-2437 HIV Nightline
TTY (deaf/hard of hearing) (415) 227-0245 Text telephone line
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988 Dial 988
Drug information (415) 362-3400 Drug Info Line
Relapse support (415) 834-1144 Relapse Line

Textlines

SFSP's Crisis Support Textlines provide emotional support by text. They are free, 100% confidential, available 24/7, and staffed by trained volunteers. Text one of the following keywords to (415) 200-2920:

  • CRISIS — general emotional support
  • YOUTH — youth-focused support
  • HIV — HIV-related support

Beyond the Hotlines

SFSP also offers in-person and community programs: a peer-based Grief Support Group for people processing a loss by suicide, Youth Risk Reduction workshops in San Francisco schools run by a Youth Outreach Coordinator, and Community Outreach that provides training in crisis intervention and de-escalation. The organization has operated since 1962 with more than 200 volunteers and answers about 55,000 calls a year.

Choosing the Right Line

  • In immediate crisis or unsure where to start: call 415-781-0500 or dial 988.
  • Prefer texting: text CRISIS to (415) 200-2920.
  • Young person seeking support: text YOUTH.
  • HIV-related concerns: call the HIV Nightline or text HIV.
  • Deaf or hard of hearing: use the TTY line at (415) 227-0245.
  • Substance-related concerns: call the Drug Info Line or Relapse Line.

For more detail on programs, volunteering, or donations, the site links to an About Us page, an FAQ page, and a resources section on 988.