Crisis Line Responder

If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to contribute to the community while gaining experience that will help you grow personally and professionally, apply to become a Crisis Line Responder! With training, ongoing support, and a flexible shift schedule, you’ll be empowered to make a difference and save the lives of others.


You’re a fit for this volunteer role if you are 19 years and older, want to learn and practice your listening and helping skills, and are caring and empathetic.


What you will do:
-Offer emotional support to callers and service users at our confidential location or remotely
-Empower individuals to explore their options and solve their problems
-Supply callers and service users with referrals and resources as required
-Activate emergency crisis intervention when needed

Essential Qualities:
-Ability to maintain confidentiality
-Accepting, non-judgmental, caring, empathetic and respectful attitude
-Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
-Excellent oral and written communication skills
-Applicants should be very comfortable discussing topics such as suicide, self-harm, etc. as these are common

Commitment:
-Completion of crisis line training
-Commitment of 20 hours per month of solo work for a minimum of 6 months (16 hours – phone shifts; 4 hours – texting shift)
-If you continue past 6 months, hours of involvement may be reduced (if desired) to 12 hours per month in order to stay actively involved (8 hours – phone shifts; 4 hours texting shift)
-Report to Crisis Line Coordinator

Types of Calls to Expect:
-Mental health, social isolation, addiction, family and relationship issues, grief, health concerns, abuse, sexuality, legal, financial, transportation, shelter, emergency services, youth and senior issues, suicide and more.
-Seriousness can range from someone who is socially isolated/lonely who would benefit from supportive listening, to others in which the caller’s despair has escalated to the point that life-saving interventions are required.

What you will get back:
-Supporting your community
-Making a difference in people’s lives
-Gain valuable experience for work or graduate school
-Learn and practice a variety of communication and interpersonal skills
-Gain a greater understanding of human behavior and applied psychology

Applications will be accepted until August 12th, 2024 at 11:59pm. Training will start on September 3rd, 2024.