Central Coast Hotline
Central Coast Hotline is a confidential mental health guidance, crisis and suicide prevention Hotline which also provides mental health resource information. We are here for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Free of charge. Text or Call, any time: 800-783-0607.
Central Coast Hotline is a valuable resource for the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, supporting the work of local government and mental health service agencies and relieving call volume for the local 911 service by taking non-emergency and mental health crisis calls. We are an accredited crisis center, as evaluated by the American Association of Suicidology, which establishes and monitors the criteria for crisis lines in the U.S.
We strive to reduce stigma and to educate and inform our community about mental illness – what it is and what it is not.
We may refer callers with other needs to 2-1-1, the universal three-digit dialing code operated locally by United Way. This is a free information and referral service which connects individuals and families with community resources.
For non-crisis calls, our callers may be referred to the California Peer Support WarmLine at 855-845-7415.
Who answers the line?
Compassionate and highly trained paraprofessional Crisis Line Specialist volunteers and staff based in Santa Luis Obispo, California are available around the clock to answer your calls and texts. Every call and text is confidential. Staff and volunteers’ primary goal is to listen and to offer support and referrals to mental health resources in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. We are happy to assist family members or friends who reach out on another’s behalf. Spanish-speaking Crisis Line Specialists and Language Line interpreter services are also available. Our Hotline is available 24/7.
Who are the volunteers?
Volunteer Crisis Line Specialists form the core of this service. Ranging in age from 18 to 80, they bring a diversity of experience and skills, and share a common interest in helping others. We are always in need of volunteers, so please contact us to “Be the Voice on the Other End of the Line.”
As a volunteer, you will be trained to help staff San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties' only 24/7 suicide prevention and mental health resource hotline and will make a difference in the lives of youth, seniors, and families. Volunteers learn the skills required to provide emotional and mental health support, defuse crisis situations and assist in suicide prevention and intervention.
Requirements:
- 18 years or older
- Comfortable and confident using a computer
- One year time commitment- including 2 month onboarding training
- Ability to multitask with a variety of technologies
- Non-judgemental, open-minded, and adaptable
- Willingness to assist individuals of different belief systems and backgrounds than your own
- See our position description for more information: Crisis Line Specialist
Upcoming Training Information
- Dates: Applications are now being accepted for our Winter training cohort.
- All training dates are mandatory and will be held from 5:30pm-8:30pm via Microsoft Teams.
- Upcoming Dates: February 13, 18, 20, 25, 27. March 4, 6.
- After the completion of online instructor-led training, volunteers will complete approximately six(6) 4-hour shadowing shifts with an experienced Crisis Line Specialist at our call center.
- Mandated Reporter Training (2 hours) is required and will be provided
We are happy to connect with you about any questions you may have. Please contact our Community Resource Coordinator at volunteer@t-mha.org, for more information about volunteering.
Ready to apply? Find an application here!
