How to Volunteer at a Crisis Hotline
Assess yourself., Compile a list of all the local crisis centers and their contact information., Pick two or three crisis centers that you would like to contact, so that you can focus on your favorite or most convenient ones., Call the center of...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Assess yourself.
You need to have a strong heart and spirit to put yourself in the situations required of a crisis hotline volunteer.
Things could happen on the phone that could be disastrous for you emotionally.
Make sure your need to help others isn't an unhealthy need.
If you have been through difficult issues yourself in life, be sure to have resolved them all satisfactorily or else you might find old wounds being reopened when learning about other people's ordeals.
This role can be excellent if you are training to be a psychologist or a counselor, or if you need counseling type skills for a range of areas in your work life.
Develop your resilience if you haven't already done so.
Know how to gain control of your emotions.
Be compassionate.
Know how to communicate effectively. -
Step 2: Compile a list of all the local crisis centers and their contact information.
Some places may not have volunteer openings, so cast a wide net.
Or, there may be a waiting list for the training.
In this case, be prepared to simply add your name to the list, expressing your enthusiasm and to check in regularly to see if they have a space for you.
They'll remember you if you stay in touch! , Remember, this is going to be a second (or third) job for you, so don't pick a place that is 50 miles (80 km) away unless you really, really want to drive that far each week. , If you need to make an appointment, do so.
Fill out an application online, if they have a website.
Ask about background checks, such as with the police or any other relevant checks or referees that they may want.
They need to know that investing time in training you is a wise choice and that you'll be committed. , Make sure you present yourself accordingly.
Be neat and dressed nicely.
Bring along anything that you've been asked to show to center staff, such as reference documents and ID. , Things you may need to learn are:
Emergency procedures
- what to do if things aren't going well with a caller.
State laws concerning the operation of a crisis center
- these concern the liabilities and restrictions that are important to know, even as a volunteer.
The range of help available out in the community to direct callers to, from financial and legal to rehabilitation or detox help.
Counseling techniques
- getting people who are really hurt to talk to you openly or even at all can be difficult.
You'll need to learn the ways of helping people to open up and how you can demonstrate trust.
Also, most crisis hotlines will teach you that your role is to facilitate the caller's own decision-making process through prompts and guides.
You don't make the decisions for the caller, nor do you counsel.
Role-playing – this will happen with other volunteers as a means of practicing.
It's a really good way to work out how you'll react under certain pressures.
Anything else that the center requires you to learn. , This will allow you to work under supervision and gives you added support if you aren't sure what to do or say next.
Don't wing it with people whose lives are hanging by a thread.
Use established procedures and training to get the person back from the brink. , They will schedule regular hours for you to cover phones and you should treat this like a really important job.
When you volunteer, you are required to put in so many hours each week and you have a grand total that you need to accrue.
This is a great responsibility, so don't take it lightly.
Don't place too much pressure on yourself.
You are there to help people – you can't diagnose or advise them, so rely on your training and people skills to help them find the right people who can help and to make their own choices.
Be sure to ask what happens when you're unwell, unable to attend a session you're put down for or when you go on vacation.
Giving plenty of warning in advance will help them to make the appropriate arrangements to cover for you. -
Step 3: Pick two or three crisis centers that you would like to contact
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Step 4: so that you can focus on your favorite or most convenient ones.
-
Step 5: Call the center of your choice and find out what kind of screening process they have for potential volunteers.
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Step 6: Meet with the center director or head volunteer.
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Step 7: If all goes well
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Step 8: you should be able to start training.
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Step 9: Once you pass all the criteria that the center has for you
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Step 10: they may team you up with another volunteer for your first sessions.
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Step 11: When you have proven that you are an able call-taker
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Step 12: the center may set you off on your own.
Detailed Guide
You need to have a strong heart and spirit to put yourself in the situations required of a crisis hotline volunteer.
Things could happen on the phone that could be disastrous for you emotionally.
Make sure your need to help others isn't an unhealthy need.
If you have been through difficult issues yourself in life, be sure to have resolved them all satisfactorily or else you might find old wounds being reopened when learning about other people's ordeals.
This role can be excellent if you are training to be a psychologist or a counselor, or if you need counseling type skills for a range of areas in your work life.
Develop your resilience if you haven't already done so.
Know how to gain control of your emotions.
Be compassionate.
Know how to communicate effectively.
Some places may not have volunteer openings, so cast a wide net.
Or, there may be a waiting list for the training.
In this case, be prepared to simply add your name to the list, expressing your enthusiasm and to check in regularly to see if they have a space for you.
They'll remember you if you stay in touch! , Remember, this is going to be a second (or third) job for you, so don't pick a place that is 50 miles (80 km) away unless you really, really want to drive that far each week. , If you need to make an appointment, do so.
Fill out an application online, if they have a website.
Ask about background checks, such as with the police or any other relevant checks or referees that they may want.
They need to know that investing time in training you is a wise choice and that you'll be committed. , Make sure you present yourself accordingly.
Be neat and dressed nicely.
Bring along anything that you've been asked to show to center staff, such as reference documents and ID. , Things you may need to learn are:
Emergency procedures
- what to do if things aren't going well with a caller.
State laws concerning the operation of a crisis center
- these concern the liabilities and restrictions that are important to know, even as a volunteer.
The range of help available out in the community to direct callers to, from financial and legal to rehabilitation or detox help.
Counseling techniques
- getting people who are really hurt to talk to you openly or even at all can be difficult.
You'll need to learn the ways of helping people to open up and how you can demonstrate trust.
Also, most crisis hotlines will teach you that your role is to facilitate the caller's own decision-making process through prompts and guides.
You don't make the decisions for the caller, nor do you counsel.
Role-playing – this will happen with other volunteers as a means of practicing.
It's a really good way to work out how you'll react under certain pressures.
Anything else that the center requires you to learn. , This will allow you to work under supervision and gives you added support if you aren't sure what to do or say next.
Don't wing it with people whose lives are hanging by a thread.
Use established procedures and training to get the person back from the brink. , They will schedule regular hours for you to cover phones and you should treat this like a really important job.
When you volunteer, you are required to put in so many hours each week and you have a grand total that you need to accrue.
This is a great responsibility, so don't take it lightly.
Don't place too much pressure on yourself.
You are there to help people – you can't diagnose or advise them, so rely on your training and people skills to help them find the right people who can help and to make their own choices.
Be sure to ask what happens when you're unwell, unable to attend a session you're put down for or when you go on vacation.
Giving plenty of warning in advance will help them to make the appropriate arrangements to cover for you.
About the Author
Nicole Castillo
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow crafts tutorials.
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