Volunteer
Our community needs you!
Be the hope on the line. Our volunteers answer calls, texts, and chats every day from people in crisis. As a trained crisis specialist or peer support volunteer, you help people through challenging moments and tough days. You will help people seeking emotional connection, crisis intervention, peer support, and more. You will provide judgment-free, compassionate support to anyone in need. And you will learn a lot about how to support yourself and others. Everyone can help — bring your lived experience, and we'll support your learning and growth.
Last year, 175,000 people called our crisis or peer-to-peer support lines. The dedication and generosity of nearly 300 volunteers in the Puget Sound region make these life-saving helplines possible. All volunteers undergo immersive training and, once completed, respond to calls in our Seattle office with guidance from our experienced staff.
Below, you’ll find more information on our current opportunities and how to get started.
Inspire hope. Share help. Support healing. Volunteer.
Benefits of volunteering
Volunteering is an enriching experience that brings help to those in need and gives volunteers benefits beyond measure:
- Personal growth and development
- Learn new skills to use in your personal and professional life
- Become a beacon for safe, productive conversations on mental health, crisis and life experiences
Impact of volunteering
Volunteers impact the health and well-being of our community in deep, meaningful ways:
- Making sure help is always available and everyone has someone to listen—whether they are in crisis or just need to share whatever is on their mind without judgment
- Helping our community build resilience
- Ensuring equity—maintaining access for everyone regardless of their background or circumstances
What to expect
Are you curious about what it's like to volunteer at Crisis Connections? Many of our volunteers start their journey wondering what to expect. Don't worry, we'll help you. By working with us through your training, you'll gain valuable tools and skills for managing mental health crises and a fresh perspective on mental health.
Our volunteers learn skills like:
- Non-judgmental communication
- Active listening
- Safety planning
- Collaborative problem-solving
- Community resource navigation
- Self-care practices
During each volunteer shift, you'll be backed by a trained supervisor who is always ready to answer your questions and provide assistance if you ever feel overwhelmed. You're never alone in this journey.
What is it like
to volunteer at
Crisis Connections?
A day in the life of a volunteer
- Grab your coffee, tea or water bottle and head into the Belltown office
- Gather your notepad, pen and a stress-relieving squishee
- Get comfy in your workspace
- Start taking calls, responding to texts and chats
- Raise your hand for staff support if you need it
- Take a self-care break!
- Choose a coloring sheet or a snack from the breakroom, even take a quick walk outside to breathe in the fresh air
- Connect with fellow volunteers and staff united by a common interest
Volunteer Reflections
Starting with Crisis Connections has been more rewarding than I ever imagined. Thank you!
I'm thankful for the training and opportunity I've been given to help give back to the world.
I'm happy to be part of this community. I feel like I found a purpose in life when volunteering.
I wish I had reached out sooner for help after my brother died by suicide. I found this community six years later and felt a sense of connection and safety not found elsewhere. Surviving a loss from suicide can only truly be understood by someone who has also experienced a loss this way. WASAS provides a safe space where I feel supported and heard. I can talk openly about my loss and provide support and understanding to others. I feel like I am part of an essential service-centered community.
Devon
Grief Companion Peer
I appreciate deeply the work that CC does and the opportunities given to volunteers to help in healing our community. It's good work to be doing.
It's been an honor and privilege to serve here for the past 10 years. Thank you for all you do and continue to do for our community.
Volunteer FAQ
What types of calls and interactions will I experience?
We have a team of experts and licensed professionals to support you. They provide resources and connect callers to the appropriate help when needed. You are never alone.
Time commitment: training, volunteer hours and schedules
How do I become a volunteer?
Take the first step today
Step one: Fill out the interest form
Step two: Attend an info session
Step three: Complete the full application
Step four: One-to-one screening with a volunteer coordinator
Step five: Confirmation based on application review and background check
Step six: Training
Step seven: Graduation and shift selection
I'm a practicum student—are there opportunities for me?
Yes! As a practicum student, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic environment. This position will provide you with valuable insights into the field of behavioral health while allowing you to apply your knowledge and skills in a practical call-center/clinical setting with over 45+ hours of hybrid training.
Have questions? Reach out!
Geneveve Matundan, LCSW (she/her)
Social Work Practicum Manager
206-333-8801x457
gmatundan@crisisconnections.org
Crisis Connections Volunteer Opportunities
The 24-Hour Crisis Line provides immediate help to those in crisis and their loved ones. Volunteers on our Crisis Line receive intensive training in active listening, emotional de-escalation, crisis intervention, and suicide intervention. Crisis Line volunteers must be 21 and able to take on a weekly 4-hour shift in our Seattle office between 8am and 12am.
The Washington Warm Line provides peer support, meaning that all volunteers for the Warm Line have lived experience with emotional and behavioral health issues. Warm Line volunteers undergo an intensive training in active listening, emotional support, and the core tenets of peer support and recovery. Warm Line volunteers must be 21 and able to take on a weekly 4-5 hour shift in our Seattle office between 9am and 10pm.
Teen Link provides peer emotional support to teens throughout the state of Washington via phone, chat and text. Teen Link has opportunities for both teens and adults to involve themselves in providing direct support for struggling youth over our phone line or by engaging in outreach efforts to raise awareness around youth mental health. Teen Link phone line volunteers must be 15 and able to take on two 4.5-hour shifts per month in our Seattle office between 5:30pm and 10pm. Outreach opportunities are also available for youth ages 13-15. Adult volunteers (21+) must be available to take on a weekly 4.5-hour shift from 5:30-10:00pm in our Seattle office. Adult volunteers monitor calls, texts, and chats, and support the teen volunteers on shift.
Washington Support After Suicide provides mentorship, care packages and support groups to people who have lost a loved one to suicide. Volunteer grief companion peers have suffered a similar loss, turning pain into purpose through their compassionate support of other suicide loss survivors. They offer connection, understanding and companionship to program participants.
Practicum Student Benefits & Requirements
Benefits
- Ongoing opportunities for professional development
- Flexible Individual and group supervision options
Requirements
-
Must pass the background check
-
Attend a mandatory info session
-
Currently enrolled in an academic setting to receive practicum/internship credit
-
Meet the age requirement for the program they are assigned to
-
Able to commute to the office location
-
Commit to volunteering the entire academic year
About Crisis Connections
Since 1964, Crisis Connections has been a trusted nonprofit serving Seattle, King County, and Washington State. Each year, over 600,000 people rely on our helplines and programs, including 988, 24-hour Crisis Lines, 211, Teen Link, Warm Line, and Support After Suicide—each dedicated to fostering resilience and well-being for all.
Crisis Connections is state licensed by DSHS/DBHR as a crisis telephone service provider and as a certified chemical dependency treatment service—crisis intervention. We are also nationally accredited by International Council for Helplines and Inform USA. As one of the oldest crisis lines in the nation, we continue to be committed to providing excellent service to all who contact us.
Crisis Connections is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome and encourage diversity in our workplace. EOE/ADA
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