Press Release: For immediate release
Contact Information:
Lea Berhane, Director of Fund Development & Marketing
(650) 591-9623 x142
lea.berhane@star-vista.org
StarVista Launches New Website for Crisis Center Program
San Carlos, CA March 1, 2021 – StarVista, a nonprofit that delivers high impact services through counseling, skill development, and crisis prevention to children, youth, adults, and families to San Mateo County residents, is launching its brand-new website for its Crisis Center program, www.sanmateocrisis.org.
StarVista’s Crisis Center began in 1966 and offered one of the first crisis lines in the state. Over the years, it has expanded and evolved to meet the needs of San Mateo County residents, including teens. Its brand-new website, www.sanmateocrisis.org, provides a dedicated space to share program services, updates, resources, and more.
StarVista’s Crisis Center offers multiple crisis intervention and suicide prevention services: StarVista’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline 650-579-0350, Teen Crisis Services, Clinical Services, Educational Presentations, Health Ambassador Program – Youth (HAP-Y), and volunteering program.
StarVista’s Teen Crisis Services include an online teen chat* and text line. The online teen chat is a free, peer-to-peer service that can be accessed on www.sanmateocrisis.org. The teen text line, a new service being introduced this year, is a free, peer-to-peer service that can be accessed by texting 650-747-6463. Both services offer teens the opportunity to chat anonymously with trained youth peer counselors under Crisis Center staff supervision about various topics. While mainly focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention, teens can also talk about school stress, relationship issues, and mental health challenges.
The StarVista Crisis Center is comprised of a dedicated team of program staff, hotline staff, and volunteers. The program staff work together to deliver high-impact crisis services to the community. Many are also part of county organizations such as the Suicide Prevention Committee and the Diversity and Equity Council in San Mateo County.
In 2020, the Crisis Center answered over 10,000 calls and provided high-impact crisis services to the community. “The Crisis Center is so excited to debut our new website,” shares Allie Rogge, Volunteer Coordinator at StarVista’s Crisis Center. “We have seen a 30% increase in call volume during the COVID–19 pandemic, and the Crisis Center has certainly grown in response to the needs of the community. We felt that we wanted to create an online space where the public could easily access all our crisis services and program information. We hope to continue to expand on our educational resources and online content going forward.”
StarVista’s Crisis Center began as one of the first crisis lines in the state and has continued to host a 24-hour hotline for anyone in need. It is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology and belongs to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline national network of crisis centers.
*StarVista’s online teen chat was previously hosted on www.oyourmind.net. The chat is now only accessible on www.sanmateocrisis.org.
About StarVista:
StarVista is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 that delivers high impact services through counseling, skill development, and crisis prevention to children, youth, adults, and families to residents of San Mateo County. For over 50 years, StarVista has helped the community make positive changes in their lives by providing them with the support and tools to build their skills and enhance their strengths.