Also called: 988 Crisis Counselor, Crisis Line Specialist
Answers calls, texts, and chats from people in suicidal or emotional crisis.
Takes a call at 2 a.m. from someone who is thinking about ending their life, listens, and builds a safety plan together. Between calls, logs notes and checks in with the shift supervisor. Some calls need a mobile team sent out.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 2 years after high school. Bachelor's preferred (psychology, social work); 40-80 hours of crisis training; many lines hire with some college.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Psychology, Social Work, Counseling.
Growing much faster than average (about 17% over 10 years). Tied to counselors; 988 expansion added many jobs.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI may triage texts and draft notes, but people in suicidal crisis need a trained human voice; 988 standards require it.
Classes: AP Psychology, Sociology, Health.
Official data: O*NET occupation 21-1018.
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