International Council for Helplines

What International Council for Helplines does

The International Council for Helplines (ICH) is a private, membership-based organization founded in 1967 (originally as CONTACT USA, rebranded in July 2020) that supports crisis and emotional-support helpline operators through accreditation, professional certification, training, and community events. ICH does not operate helplines itself and is not a technology company; rather, it maintains a comprehensive set of accreditation standards covering eight helpline modalities (crisis, addiction, chat/text, domestic violence, peer-to-peer/warmlines, reassurance calling, teen, and mobile crisis team dispatch), runs the Crisis Helpline Specialist Certification exam for individual practitioners, and offers training such as ASIST, safeTALK, and online emotional support workshops.

The organization monetizes through a recurring annual membership model (organization dues $750/year, individual dues $150/$50 for students and seniors) layered with pay-as-you-go professional services fees: a $500 accreditation application fee plus $2,950 per first helpline and $1,950 per additional helpline on a 3-year accreditation cycle, $35/$65 certification exam fees with $25/$45 recertifications every three years, and revenue from training engagements and the annual CrisisCon conference co-hosted with the Crisis Residential Association. Distribution is primarily direct, augmented by presence at external industry conferences (Inform USA, National Problem Gambling Conference, CoRCon, IFOTES Congress) and an interactive member listserv.

ICH's customer base is broad and distributed: 100+ member organizations span all U.S. states, U.S. territories, Bahrain, and other international locations, with named members including Crisis Connections, Solari Crisis & Human Services, Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center, Crisis Text Line, Vibrant Emotional Health (operator of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), CommUnity Crisis Services, and others. ICH operates remotely with a mailing address in Nashville, Tennessee, and a small leadership team that includes Executive Director Michael Reading and Director of Accreditation and Credentialing Gail Selander. Its accreditation is recognized by the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network, the National Council on Problem Gambling, and Inform USA, and it holds membership in the Lifeline International consortium.

Name

International Council for Helplines

Legal name

International Council for Helplines

Website

https://councilforhelplines.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The International Council for Helplines is a 55+ year-old membership organization that accredits, certifies, and trains crisis helpline operators across the U.S. and internationally, serving 100+ member organizations including crisis lines, suicide prevention, addiction, chat/text, and domestic violence services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Crisis Helpline Accreditation Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)

Keywords

• Helpline accreditation
• Crisis helpline certification
• Membership organization
• Crisis services training
• Helpline standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Organization Membership Dues: Annual membership dues for helpline organizations; includes member listserv access, advocacy, awards, and member rates for conferences and training
2. Individual Membership Dues: Annual membership for individuals interested in helpline mission; reduced rates for students, seniors 65+, and retired individuals
3. Accreditation Services: Fees for accreditation evaluation including $500 application fee, $2,950 for first helpline, $1,950 per additional helpline; 3-year accreditation cycle
4. Crisis Helpline Specialist Certification: Certification exam fees: $35 for members, $65 for non-members; $25/$45 for re-certification every 3 years
5. Training Services: ASIST and safeTALK workshops, online emotional support training, program design and management consulting
6. CrisisCon Conference: Annual National Crisis Continuum Conference providing member rates for registration

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

International Council for Helplines is a membership organization that supports organizations offering helpline services through accreditation, professional certification, training, and an annual conference. Its core deliverables include accreditation evaluations across 8 helpline types (crisis, addiction, chat/text, domestic violence, peer-to-peer/warmlines, reassurance calling, teen, and mobile crisis team dispatch), the Crisis Helpline Specialist Certification exam, training programs such as ASIST and safeTALK workshops and online emotional support training, and the annual CrisisCon conference co-hosted with the Crisis Residential Association.

Product overview

International Council for Helplines is a membership organization that supports organizations offering helpline services through a comprehensive suite of programs. The core offerings include accreditation services for various helpline types (addiction, crisis, chat/text, domestic violence, peer-to-peer/warmlines, reassurance calling, teen helplines, and mobile crisis team dispatch), professional certification for crisis helpline specialists, training programs (online emotional support, ASIST/safeTALK, program design), awards and recognition, and annual conference (CrisisCon). The organization operates membership programs for both organizations ($750/year) and individuals ($150/year, $50 for students/seniors) providing access to the member listserv, advocacy, conference rates, and training discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accreditation Services Comprehensive accreditation program for emotional support helpline programs covering 8 types: addiction helplines, crisis helplines, chat/text programs, domestic violence helplines, peer-to-peer/warmlines, reassurance calling programs, teen helplines, and mobile crisis team dispatch. Includes a 3-year accreditation cycle with $500 application fee, $2,950 for first helpline, and $1,950 per additional helpline.
• Crisis Helpline Specialist Certification

Quantifiable outcome

• Accreditation valid for 3 years with 6-9 month process
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Lifeline InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICH is a member of Lifeline International, a consortium of crisis helplines worldwide whose mission is to promote best practices and community for all helplines worldwide.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICH accreditation is recognized and accepted by the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network.
• National Council on Problem GamblingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICH accreditation is recognized and accepted by the National Council on Problem Gambling.
• Inform USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICH accreditation is recognized and accepted by Inform USA.
• Crisis Residential AssociationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint hosting of the annual CrisisCon conference (CrisisCon25, CrisisCon24). Co-present at conferences including CoRCon - National Co-Responder Conference.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/850878791614532
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-council-for-helplines

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Council for Helplines