About Us

Hope in action, not just awareness.

This Started With One Person

And a fierce belief that things could be different.

In 2010, the Center for Suicide Awareness began as a grassroots organization in Wisconsin with a simple but powerful mission: create real conversations, real connection, and real support for individuals struggling with mental health challenges, trauma, crisis, and suicide.

It started with one person and a gut-deep belief that we could-and should-do more. That mental health support shouldn't require someone to reach their breaking point before finding help. No red tape. No judgment. Just early, real, human connection.

What began through local community outreach, education, and emotional support efforts has grown into a nationally recognized organization reaching schools, healthcare systems, first responders, veterans, military families, gaming communities, faith organizations, public safety professionals, and individuals across the country.

Today, we provide prevention, education, training, emotional support, community connection, and innovative programs designed to help people build resilience, navigate life's challenges, and know they are not alone. Whether someone is struggling for the first time, supporting a loved one, or searching for hope during their darkest moments, we're here before, during, and after the hardest days.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief:

More Connection. Less Isolation.

We believe people were never meant to struggle alone. We were meant to be together-as a community.

And we're just getting started.

Text HOPELINE
A man and a woman wearing glow in the dark shirts are posing for a picture.

What We Believe

Stigma Doesn't Save Lives.
Connection Does.

The Center for Suicide Awareness exists to help break stigma, strengthen human connection, create spaces of belonging, and remind individuals that they are seen, valued, supported, and never alone.

We believe that suicide is complex, but prevention can be practical.

We believe in meeting people early, often, and without judgment-emotionally, physically, socially, and digitally. We believe no one should have to wait until they're in crisis to find support, connection, or hope.

Built on the belief that connection is prevention, we continue creating compassionate and accessible pathways to emotional wellness through innovative programming, resilience initiatives, emotional support resources, wellness education, and national partnerships.

We believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported-even on their worst day. Especially on their worst day.

And we believe that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness.

It's a sign of strength.

From One Voice to a Movement

Here’s how we’ve grown.

2010

The Center for Suicide Awareness is founded with a mission to break the silence around suicide

2012

Launches first suicide awareness walks across Wisconsin

2014

HopeLine™ text line debuts—offering 24/7 emotional support via text, long before it was common

2015

Our documentary If You Only Knew What You Left Behind wins a Telly Award and is later used internationally to train psychiatrists

2016–2019

Expands outreach with first responder resilience training, Coping Critters™ program, and veteran-specific initiatives

2020

Pivoted during COVID to provide expanded virtual support and resources

2021–2024

Launches Moderator Training for the gaming community; deepens work with the Tavern League and national partners

Today

Serving thousands across all 50 states through education, outreach, and real-time support

Two women standing in front of a table with a cake and a sign that says text
Two women are posing for a picture together in a restaurant.

This Is What Showing Up Looks Like

We’re not guessing. We’re doing.

Suicide prevention can’t just be about awareness—it has to lead to action. At the Center for Suicide Awareness, every text, training, and program is built to create real change. Here’s what that looks like in numbers:

Trained 3,200+ people annually in life-saving skills


Supported 125+ organizations  with workplace suicide prevention training


Created over 9 Walks for Suicide Awareness across Wisconsin


Built & operate the HOPELINE™ emotional support text line—used by thousands and credited with saving 500+ lives


Produced award-winning documentary If You Only Knew What You Left Behind—winner of a Telly Award


Launched Dar June, a sober-living facility, in 2016


Helped 21 other nonprofits build their missions from the ground up


Created two new divisions: Ben’s Hope in Platteville and a division in Kenosha


Partnered with the video game industry to support thousands through in-game platforms


Trained numerous first responders in suicide prevention and intervention


Earned certification from the FBI Academy as Master Resilience Trainers


Collaborated with 180+ organizations nationwide