Friendship Line

Are you feeling lonely, isolated or depressed? Give the Friendship Line a call – because sometimes we all need a friend.

888.670.1360

The Friendship Line is California’s largest warm line, and has never gone unanswered since it was founded in 1973 by Dr. Patrick Arbore. Dr. Arbore’s observation that “connection to others binds us to life” led him to establish the Friendship Line, which provides phone calls that offer emotional support and friendly conversation.

Institute on Aging’s staff and volunteers respond to more than 11,000 inbound and outbound calls per month. The nationally-known Friendship Line is a signature program of Institute on Aging’s Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention and Grief-Related Services, and is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology.

Call us Toll-Free in California: 888.670.1360

In addition to English, the Friendship Line is also available in multiple languages:

Spanish: 888.571.0411

Cantonese: 888.670.2504

Mandarin: 888.670.2504

Tagalog: 888.570.0867

Vietnamese: 888.670.1361

Korean: 888.560.7684

Russian: 888.560.7360

For Volunteer or Intern Opportunities, contact Aleks Bartlett at abartlett@ioaging.org

This program serving the community is funded by the following:

  • The California Department of Aging

  • City of San Francisco’s Department of Disability and Aging Services

Program Services

Friendship Line

  • Emotional support in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean and Russian
  • Specialized support for adults ages 60 and older, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers

Center for Elder Suicide Prevention and Grief Services

  • Virtual grief and bereavement support groups

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