Are you currently accepting volunteer applications?

Yes, we accept applications year round. After receiving your application, our response times greatly vary. Training cohorts often fill up quickly, and we close interviews 1 month before the start date of any volunteer cohort to allow sufficient time for reference and background checks, so consider submitting your application as soon as possible.

Can I volunteer from home or off-site?*

You may volunteer remotely only if you live in the SF Bay Area, you have access to a private space to volunteer from, you have reliable internet, and you are able to uphold our agency’s confidentiality agreements.

Can I volunteer from out-of-state or outside of the United States?

No, volunteers must reside in CA and locally in the Bay Area.

For the same reasons listed above, you must be able to commute to our site to volunteer with us. If you are interested in learning about crisis lines in your area, please go to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also check with your county. Most counties in the United States have Behavioral/Mental Health Departments, and they might have information on crisis lines in your area.

Do I need to have counseling experience to volunteer?

No experience is necessary. We have an extensive training program to prepare you to take calls.

What does your ideal volunteer candidate look like?

Volunteers should be empathetic and able to engage and connect with others. They should also be culturally responsive and show respect for others. Volunteers must be able to navigate multiple web-based platforms simultaneously and be able to work in a fast-paced environment. Beyond that, we are looking for a diverse range of volunteers from a variety of backgrounds. Second language fluency is a bonus, but not required. We also expect volunteers to support and carry out our life-saving mission and values throughout their time with us.

When is the training?

We offer three training cohorts – starting around March, June, and September, but these are subject to change. Please submit an application in order to receive more information.

Where is your office located?

The CSS offices are located on the North Oakland/South Berkeley Border in between Ashby BART station and Children’s Hospital. We are a 0.5 miles south of Ashby BART.  We have on-site parking and secure bike parking. For applicants accepted into the training program, we’ll provide the address before the first day of training.

What does the training look like?

The training lasts for approximately 2 months and consists of three major components – in-class lectures/discussion, roleplay and skills practice sessions, and one-on-one training with a trainer on the lines.

How much time do you expect volunteers to give after training?

In total we ask that you volunteer for a minimum of 60 total shifts, working one 4-hour shift per week. The 60-shift commitment includes your on-shift training time. Naturally, we expect that you’ll take vacations or need time off, so a total of 60 shifts is the benchmark for completing your commitment, and any missed shifts can be made up.

Do you offer internships?

Currently, our interns are graduate and doctoral students who have progressed far enough through their degree programs to start obtaining hours for licensure. Prospective applicants can apply to the Clinical program through our application.

What other volunteer opportunities are available?

Teens for Life accepts volunteers to do suicide prevention presentations in local middle and high schools. All Teens for Life volunteers must have completed the Crisis Line training and have some experience on the Crisis Line.

We also offer opportunities to volunteer at single-day events. For more information about helping out with these events, please contact our Development Associate at rgelber@crisissupport.org

Can I volunteer with you for college course credit?

We review requests for volunteering for course credit on a case by case basis. You must be willing to commit to one year of volunteering. Please contact us with specific requests.

Do you have a minimum age requirement for volunteering?

Yes, our minimum age requirement is 18 years or older.

I’ve called Crisis Support Services for help and am interested in volunteering. Can I do that?

We strongly suggest that callers of our crisis line consider volunteering with a different crisis line in the area so that they can maintain the use of our services. Even if you are not currently in need of our services, we want you to be able to turn to us for support should you need it in the future. We require that all volunteers have at least a year without calling us to apply to the crisis line.

Ok, all of this makes sense, what do I do next?

Our volunteer hiring process flows like this, and each step is contingent on the previous: submit an application -> pre-screen phone call -> virtual interview -> complete background check and other onboarding tasks -> join training cohort

If you have any other questions not addressed here, please email our Training Team at training@crisissupport.org.