What Is San Francisco Suicide Prevention (sfsuicide.org)?

San Francisco Suicide Prevention (SFSP) is a crisis-support service that has provided emotional support in San Francisco since 1962. It operates 24/7 confidential hotlines and textlines, runs community programs such as grief support and youth risk reduction, and is part of the Felton Institute. It is staffed largely by volunteers—more than 200 of them—and answers about 55,000 calls a year. If you or someone in San Francisco needs immediate emotional support, the main crisis line is 415-781-0500, available every day of the year.

Who runs it and how it works

SFSP describes itself as part of the Felton Institute, and its job listings sit in Felton's Adult Division section. The service model is volunteer-driven: trained volunteers staff the crisis lines and textlines. The organization frames its mission around San Francisco's diverse communities and around the idea that suicide prevention is about both knowledge and intervention—which is why it pairs direct crisis response with outreach and training.

Ways to reach someone

The site lists several lines, each aimed at a different need. All of the hotlines are described as confidential and available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Textlines

The Crisis Support Textlines offer emotional support by text. According to the site, they are free, 100% confidential, available 24/7, and staffed by trained volunteers. To reach a counselor, text one of three keywords to (415) 200-2920:

• CRISIS — general crisis support
• YOUTH — support for young people
• HIV — support related to HIV

The keyword you send routes you to the appropriate counselor, so choose the one that matches your situation.

Programs beyond the phone lines

SFSP's programs extend past immediate crisis response:

• Grief Support Group — peer-based, in-person services tailored to people processing a loss by suicide, described as "this very specific type of loss."
• Youth Risk Reduction — the Youth Outreach Coordinator runs in-school workshops that give San Francisco students prevention tools.
• Community Outreach — onsite visits that raise awareness about suicide and provide training in crisis intervention and de-escalation.

Getting involved

The site offers three routes for people who want to support the work: making a charitable donation, becoming a volunteer (the site points to volunteering opportunities for suicide prevention), and applying for jobs through the Felton Institute Career Page, where SFSP roles appear in the Adult Division section.

When to use which option

• In immediate distress — call the 24/7 Crisis Line at 415-781-0500, or dial 988 for the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• Prefer not to talk on the phone — text CRISIS, YOUTH, or HIV to (415) 200-2920.
• Need HIV-specific or substance-related support — use the HIV Nightline, Drug Info Line, or Relapse Line numbers above.
• Grieving a suicide loss — look into the Grief Support Group.
• Want training or to volunteer — explore the Community Outreach and volunteer pages.

The site also links to an About page, an FAQ page, and resources about 988 for readers who want more detail before reaching out.