CESP: Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention & Grief Counseling
Program Overview
Older adults often face a multitude of changes and stresses in relation to the aging process, including health concerns, physical limitations, financial problems, and loss of loved ones. These changes may trigger depression, grief, a sense of isolation, or thoughts of suicide. Institute on Aging’s Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention (CESP) focuses specifically on the needs of older adults, providing connection, compassionate counseling, assessment, and crisis intervention.
What We Offer
CESP offers hope for persons suffering from life-threatening depression. With help, older adults become connected to the community, begin the healing process, and discover that life is worth living again. Services include:
- 24-hour Friendship Line, a crisis and support line for seniors
- Outreach phone calls for emotional support, medication reminders, and well-being checks
- Home visits for supportive counseling and psychotherapy
- Group and individual grief counseling
- Specialized counseling and bereavement support for people who have experienced traumatic loss to suicide or sudden death
- Support groups, including a weekly traumatic loss group and a survivor of suicide grief group. A drop-in grief group is held on Saturday mornings from 10:30am – 12 noon. Call (415) 750-4111 for more information.
- Online mental health screening – free & confidential
- Educational workshops and lectures on suicide intervention for volunteers and the community. Request a speaker.
- Volunteer opportunities
To learn more about grief and loss, counseling, or elderly suicide, please visit our Counseling & Healing page.
Eligibility & Fees
Grief counseling and support groups are open to people of all ages who have suffered a loss from suicide, or sudden or traumatic death. Counseling services are provided on a sliding fee scale, and may be covered by Medicare. Donations are gratefully received for support group participation. No one is ever turned away for lack of funds.
The Friendship Line phone counseling and outreach program is open to adults age 60 and older. This service is free of charge.
Contact Information
CESP
Institute on Aging
3330 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94118
Information & Intake: (415) 750-4111
Volunteer Information: (415) 750-4180 x233
Email: friendshipline@ioaging.org
Friendship Line in San Francisco: (415) 752-3778
Friendship Line Toll-Free (800) 971-0016
Available 8am-11pm for adults age 60 and over needing to talk for any reason. Available 24/7 for crisis calls.
Patrick Arbore, Program Director
Liya Bachakashvili, Intake Coordinator
Susan Lindeman, Program Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator