Spes - Riksförbundet för Suicidprevention och Efterlevandestöd

What Spes - Riksförbundet för Suicidprevention och Efterlevandestöd does

Spes - Riksförbundet för Suicidprevention och Efterlevandestöd (SPES) is a Swedish nonprofit membership organization (ideell förening) founded in 1987 and headquartered in Stockholm at Medborgarplatsen 25. The organization's stated purpose is two-fold: suicide prevention and provision of bereavement support to survivors (efterlevande) — people who have lost a loved one to suicide. SPES operates a peer-support model in which every volunteer, support-line staffer, and group facilitator is themselves a survivor of suicide loss; this lived-experience credential is the foundation of its credibility and service design.

The organization's service portfolio spans a multi-channel support ecosystem: a national telephone support line (Stödlinjen, 020-18 18 00, open daily 19:00-22:00), an online chat (Stödchatt, Wednesdays and Sundays 19:00-21:00, extended on first Sunday of month), in-person conversation meetings (Samtalsträffar) across more than 25 Swedish counties, regional contact persons (Kontaktpersoner), structured 8-session support process groups (Stödprocessgrupper), a closed Facebook support forum (Spes Stödforum), and specialized digital groups for HBTQI survivors and young adults aged 18-35. Supporting products include a quarterly member magazine (Förgätmigej), a podcast (Livet efter dig), a digital memorial candle service (Minnesljus), an online gift shop selling memorial bracelets, pins, and reflex reflectors, and downloadable educational materials for professionals.

SPES is funded through a diversified nonprofit revenue mix: annual membership fees (100-400 SEK across survivor, youth, student, senior, supporting, and family tiers), individual donations and memorial gifts (Minnesgåvor, administered via Min Gåva / Bitnet), corporate "företagsvän" sponsorships (tiered small/medium/large), testamentary bequests, and gift shop merchandise sales. The organization holds a 90-konto certification from Svensk Insamlingskontroll (Org.nr 802014-9483), has a small paid kansli (1-10 employees), and is primarily volunteer-staffed. Strategic partners include NSPH, BRIS, the Church of Sweden, Högskolan Kristianstad, Karolinska Institutet's NASP, Folkhälsomyndigheten, and regional/municipal governments. SPES maintains approximately 10+ regional chapters (kretsar) across Blekinge, Jönköping, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Stockholm, Södermanland, Skåne, Uppsala, Värmland, Västra Götaland, and Östergötland.

Name

Spes - Riksförbundet för Suicidprevention och Efterlevandestöd

Legal name

Riksförbundet för Suicidprevention och Efterlevandestöd

Website

https://spes.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Spes is a Stockholm-based Swedish nonprofit founded in 1987 that provides peer-led suicide bereavement support and prevention services. It runs a national support line, online chat, in-person groups, and digital meetings across 10+ regional chapters, staffed entirely by survivor volunteers serving fellow survivors of suicide loss.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Suicide Bereavement Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Bereavement & Grief Support Services (Hospice-Affiliated/Independent) (HLADAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Crisis Response & Threat Assessment (Suicide Prevention, Violence Prevention) (EDAJAIAH)

Keywords

• Suicide bereavement support
• Peer support services
• Mental health advocacy
• Survivor support groups
• Grief counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership fees from individuals who support the organization. Membership provides access to the quarterly magazine Förgätmigej and supports the organization's suicide prevention work.
2. Individual donations and memorial gifts: One-time and recurring donations from individuals, including memorial gifts (minnesgåvor) in memory of deceased loved ones. Swish, bank transfers, and online donation platforms are used.
3. Gift shop merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including bracelets, pins, ribbons (Förgätmigejband), and reflex reflectors through the gift shop (gåvoshop).
4. Corporate partnerships and donations: Corporate donations, sponsorship packages (small, medium, large), employee giving programs, and stock dividend donations from businesses.
5. Testamentary bequests: Individuals can include SPES in their wills, providing long-term financial support to the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SPES provides free, nationwide peer-support services to people in Sweden bereaved by suicide, delivered through a national telephone support line, online chat, in-person regional conversation meetings, digital support groups, and regional contact persons. All support is staffed by volunteers who are themselves suicide-loss survivors. The organization also funds its mission through membership fees, donations, memorial gifts, a gift shop, and corporate partnerships, and publishes a quarterly member magazine, podcast, and educational resources on grief and suicide prevention.

Product overview

Spes operates as a peer-support organization offering a multi-channel support ecosystem for suicide survivors. The core offerings include a telephone support line (Stödlinjen), online chat (Stödchatt), in-person and digital conversation meetings (Samtalsträffar), and regional contact persons. These are complemented by digital products including a podcast (Livet efter dig), a closed Facebook support forum, and structured support process groups. Memorial merchandise (Förgätmigejbandet, pins, bracelets) and memorial services (Minnesljus, Minnesgåvor) are sold through the gift shop to generate fundraising revenue. The organization also publishes downloadable suicide prevention materials for professionals and maintains regional circles across Sweden's counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stödlinjen (Support Line) Telephone peer-support line (020-18 18 00) available daily 19:00-22:00, staffed by volunteer survivors who provide listening support to those bereaved by suicide in Sweden.
• Stödchatt (Support Chat)
• Samtalsträffar (Conversation Meetings)
• Kontaktpersoner (Contact Persons)
• Stödprocessgrupper (Support Process Groups)
• Gåvoshop (Gift Shop)
• Minnesgåvor (Memorial Gifts)
• Minnesljus (Memorial Candles)
• Membership (Medlemskap) and Medlemstidningen Förgätmigej
• Livet efter dig (Podcast)

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000 people affected by suicide loss annually in Sweden receive support resources from SPES

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Min Gåva (administrated by Bitnet)coreOthers · 1 January 2011Min Gåva is a service administered by Sveriges Begravningsbyråers IT AB (Bitnet) that handles memorial gifts (minnesgåvor) for SPES. Every memorial gift receives a unique serial number for tracking from funeral home through to the foundation. Min Gåva provides transparency in gift handling.
• Björners AkvarellerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate friend (företagsvän) of SPES, demonstrating business community support for suicide prevention efforts.
• Kjell & CominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate friend (företagsvän) of SPES, participating in workplace giving and support programs.
• BolsiusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate friend (företagsvän) of SPES, supporting suicide prevention initiatives.
• NSPH (Nationell Samverkan för Psykisk Hälsa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPES is part of NSPH, a national collaboration for mental health in Sweden. Together they advocate for policy changes, participate in joint initiatives like the 'Att må dåligt ska inte kosta allt' (Feeling bad shouldn't cost everything) campaign, and collaborate on events.
• BRIS (Barnens Rätt i Samhället)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on support for children and young people affected by suicide. BRIS provides additional resources and expertise on child-specific grief support, and SPES provides survivor expertise.
• Svenska kyrkan (Church of Sweden)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Church of Sweden for memorial events, support groups, and crisis counseling. The church provides venues and pastoral care support for suicide survivors.
• Sensus studieförbundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSensus provides meeting venues and organizational support for SPES activities across multiple regions including Uppsala and Värmland.
• Högskolan KristianstadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership where students conduct research on SPES support services. A VFU report by student Joanna Sebelius examined trauma-informed support approaches in SPES Västra Krets.
• NASP (Nationellt Centrum för Suicidforskning och Prevention)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASP at Karolinska Institutet provides research-based knowledge and educational materials for suicide prevention that SPES references and distributes.
• Folkhälsomyndigheten (Public Health Agency of Sweden)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational government agency providing resources and guidelines for suicide prevention that SPES references in its educational materials.
• Randiga HusetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization specializing in support for children and adults who have lost a family member, collaborating on resources for child grief support.
• Regional and Municipal GovernmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarious regional and municipal governments collaborate with SPES for local suicide prevention activities, including participation in Suicidpreventiva dagen events and mental health initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mind (UK): Major UK mental health charity providing information, support, and advocacy, including for bereavement and crisis. Comparable to SPES on community-led mental health support and broad survivor/membership model.
• Suicide Zero: Swedish nonprofit focused on suicide prevention with public-awareness campaigns and survivor support. Closest national-level comparator to SPES, sharing mission, beneficiary base, and funding model.
• Psykiatrifonden: Swedish mental health nonprofit funding research, awareness, and support for people with mental illness. Comparable to SPES on Swedish nonprofit positioning, mental health focus, and donor-supported model.
• Suicide Prevention Australia: National peak body for suicide prevention in Australia, providing postvention support, advocacy, and policy work. Directly comparable to SPES on mission, survivor support, and government engagement.
• Bris (Barnens Rätt i Samhället): Swedish children's rights organization offering support to vulnerable youth, including those affected by suicide. Peer on national Swedish footprint, volunteer/helpline model, and explicit SPES partnership (mutual referral).
• Lifeline Australia: Australia's national crisis support and suicide prevention service, providing 24/7 phone and online chat staffed by trained volunteers. Directly comparable to SPES on volunteer helpline model and suicide-loss support.
• Samaritans (UK): UK charity operating a 24/7 helpline staffed by trained volunteers for people in distress or bereaved by suicide. Comparable to SPES on volunteer-led peer support, national helpline, and bereavement services.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): Leading US nonprofit for suicide prevention and survivor support, providing loss survivors programs, advocacy, and research funding. Closest international counterpart by mandate, peer-support model, and scale mix of volunteers and paid staff.

Emerging players

• Crisis Text Line: US-based nonprofit providing 24/7 crisis support via text. Comparable to SPES on volunteer-staffed digital support channels and mental health crisis focus, though more technology-led and broader in scope.

Others

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): US national network of local crisis centers providing 24/7 free and confidential support. Comparable to SPES on phone/chat support for suicidal ideation and bereavement, but federally funded and clinically staffed rather than volunteer-led.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RiksforbundetSPES
• Instagraminstagram.com/spes_riksforbund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/riksf%C3%B6rbundet-spes-suicidprevention-och-efterlevandes-st%C3%B6d

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Spes - Riksförbundet för Suicidprevention och Efterlevandestöd