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Suicide Chat Jobs (NOW HIRING)

988 Chat Clinician

Columbus, OH ยท On-site

$50K - $67K/yr

Triage chat visitors via the chat/text platform through active engagement to assess for imminent risk of suicide and provide linkage to appropriate local community services and resources. * Helps ...

Crisis Counselor

Sacramento, CA ยท On-site

$24.90 - $29.88/hr

... phone, chat, and text platforms. In this role, you'll be on the front lines of mental health support, offering immediate emotional assistance, conducting suicide risk assessments, and connecting ...

Manager, 988 Lifeline

Fargo, ND ยท On-site

$26/hr

As the local answering point for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline , FirstLink answers tens of thousands of conversation from across North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota each year via phone, chat ...

Manager, 988 Lifeline

Fargo, ND ยท On-site

$26/hr

As the local answering point for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, FirstLink answers tens of thousands of conversation from across North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota each year via phone, chat ...

Manager, 988 Lifeline

Fargo, ND ยท On-site

$26/hr

As the local answering point for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline , FirstLink answers tens of thousands of conversation from across North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota each year via phone, chat ...

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Suicide Chat information

See salary details

$36.5K

$87.8K

$133K

How much do suicide chat jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for suicide chat in the United States is $87,831.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What qualifications do you need to work at a suicide chat?

To work as a suicide chat counselor, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant training in mental health or crisis intervention, and strong communication skills. Many organizations prefer prior experience in counseling, psychology, or social work, and some require certification in crisis response or mental health first aid.

What is the difference between Suicide Chat vs Crisis Hotline Worker?

AspectSuicide ChatCrisis Hotline Worker
CredentialsOften requires training in crisis intervention, mental health awarenessRequires similar training, sometimes certifications in crisis management or mental health
Work EnvironmentOnline chat platforms, remote or call center settingsPhone calls, in-person or remote crisis centers
Industry UsagePrimarily mental health support via digital communicationBroader crisis intervention including mental health, domestic violence, and other emergencies

Suicide Chat specialists focus on providing immediate support through online chat platforms, often working remotely. Crisis Hotline Workers handle a wider range of emergencies via phone or in person, with similar training requirements. Both roles aim to support individuals in crisis but differ mainly in communication medium and scope of issues addressed.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a suicide prevention chat counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Suicide Prevention Chat Counselor, you need a background in psychology, counseling, or social work, often supported by relevant degrees or certifications such as QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) or ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). Familiarity with crisis intervention chat platforms, risk assessment tools, and client management systems is typically required. Exceptional empathy, active listening, and emotional resilience are critical soft skills for building trust and providing support to individuals in crisis. These skills and qualifications are vital for effectively assessing risk, ensuring safety, and offering compassionate, timely assistance to those in need.

What is a suicide chat counselor?

A suicide chat counselor is a trained professional or volunteer who provides emotional support and crisis intervention through online chat platforms to individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress. Their primary role is to listen non-judgmentally, offer support, assess risk, and help connect people to appropriate resources and emergency services if needed. Suicide chat counselors are usually available through hotlines, mental health organizations, or crisis intervention services, and they maintain confidentiality while ensuring the safety of those they assist.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in suicide chat support roles, and how can they manage these challenges effectively?

Professionals in suicide chat support roles often encounter emotionally intense situations and may experience compassion fatigue or secondary trauma. Managing these challenges involves practicing self-care, participating in regular debriefing sessions, and utilizing supervision provided by the organization. Many teams foster a supportive environment where colleagues can share experiences and strategies. Access to ongoing training and mental health resources is also essential for maintaining resilience and delivering effective support to individuals in crisis.
More about Suicide Chat jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Suicide Chat jobs? The most popular types of Suicide Chat jobs are:
Infographic showing various Suicide Chat job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 55% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 40% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,831 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

988 Chat Clinician

Netcare Access

Columbus, OH โ€ข On-site

$50K - $67K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Crisis Assessment Counselor

Responsible for providing crisis assessment and counseling via text/chat interactions, as it relates to mental health and/or alcohol and other drug crisis intervention.

Positions supervised: None

Essential duties and responsibilities:

  • Triage chat visitors via the chat/text platform through active engagement to assess for imminent risk of suicide and provide linkage to appropriate local community services and resources.
  • Helps chat visitors reaching out through Lifeline 988 Chat/text while expressing compassion concern, and expertise in helping them develop solutions.
  • Makes appropriate internal/external emergency and crisis intervention referrals for situations that are deemed imminent risk by 988 Lifeline standards.
  • Maintains timely and complete documentation of services and activities, which meet the standards of Netcare, 988 Lifeline, and accrediting agencies.
  • Documents in Vibrant Emotional Health's 988 Lifeline text/chat platform as well as in Avatar and other databases.
  • Operates and responds to live text/chat interaction requests, incorporating the process of "dovetailing" (taking two chats at once) when appropriate.
  • Maximizes time on shift to be available to receive chat/text interactions and responds to waiting text and chat requests within time parameters.
  • Monitors Microsoft Teams instant messaging system and uses it to communicate with supervisor and coworkers throughout each shift.
  • Responds to all chat visitors with compassion and empathy, incorporating active listening skills, and supportive means of communication throughout the text and chat interaction.
  • Uses clinical skill to de-escalate chat visitors and ascertain risk by using appropriate screening tools and safety planning with clients.
  • Participate in peer review as assigned.
  • Demonstrates skill in engaging clients who may be reluctant to share in texts and chats.
  • Assists with completing and tracking follow-up phone calls with 988 chat visitors depending on shift and need.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential knowledge, skills and abilities:

  • Ability to engage in problem solving processes.
  • Ability to establish therapeutic rapport quickly and compassionately through texts and chats.
  • Ability to assess suicide risk, and develop safety plan with clients.
  • Ability to explore resources in other states and areas, to assist texters and chatters.
  • Ability to relate to clients of a variety of age, economic/educational backgrounds, personality types and problems.
  • Ability to deal with verbally aggressive, violent or potentially violent clients.
  • Ability to quickly assess and prioritize information received.
  • Establish flexibility and ability to manage multiple demands in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to use a range of techniques and interventions.
  • Ability to utilize reference material such as maps, directions and street locations.
  • Basic knowledge of the demographic and human services network in Franklin County.
  • Ability to work in alternate locations as assigned.
  • Demonstrated skills in the use of personal computer to record client data, produce written correspondence or reports.
  • Ability to hear and speak well enough to converse with clients or other employees in person or over the telephone.
  • Ability to see enough and have the manual dexterity and physical ability to access referral source and other information from a wide selection of manual, texts, etc. while engaged in a crisis intervention telephone conversation with a client.
  • Ability to achieve and maintain certification in required training programs.

Essential core competencies:

  • Ability to provide effective clinical interventions via written communication in text and chats.
  • Ability to accurately and succinctly document clinical interventions.
  • Ability to complete required paperwork in a timely and error-free fashion.
  • Ability to apply risk management and problem-solving techniques to clinical/workplace situations.
  • Ability to engage and de-escalate clients in a professional and effective manner.
  • Ability to effectively work as a member of a team.
  • Demonstrates broad knowledge of and ability to access community resources on behalf of clients.
  • Ability to adhere to Agency Policies, Procedures and other expectations.
  • Actively seeks opportunities to develop clinical skills.

Minimum qualifications:

LSW/LPC: