Note: To maintain the safety of our community during the COVID-19 outbreak, we have temporarily limited volunteer activities. Please sign up for our mailing list and we will contact you when we are ready to welcome new volunteers.
Our Crisis Line Volunteers answer calls in-person at our Portland-based call center.
Each volunteer responds to calls from various crisis helpline with an emphasis on suicide and substance use prevention, including lines focused on the wellbeing of youth, military and senior populations.
We answered over 167,000 calls in 2021 and could not provide these services without the generous commitment from our volunteers. Get more info about our Crisis Lines here.
The Commitment
Crisis Lines Volunteers complete professional training and commit to at least one four-hour shift per week for one year, or a minimum of 200 hours. Our volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. They have an empathetic and non-judgmental attitude, emotional intelligence, and the ability to make a long-term commitment.
The Benefits
Volunteers receive professional training and caring supervision from our outstanding team. Volunteers can request 225 hours toward MHACBO certification if desired, after completion of their 200-hour commitment to the organization.
Our volunteer team is a community with regular social events, participation in Lines for Life community gatherings, and structures in place to support those who help us support others. Those who complete the volunteer commitment emerge as strong candidates for graduate studies or professional positions in behavioral health fields.
For adults over 21 in the Portland Metro Area looking to volunteer as a Crisis Call Counselor, please sign up here for more information. We will contact you when we have scheduled upcoming orientation dates.
If you are under 21 and interested in volunteering on our youth peer-to-peer helpline, please visit our YouthLine website for more information.
If you have any further questions about how to get involved, contact our Volunteer Department at [email protected].