Center for Suicide Awareness

What Center for Suicide Awareness does

Center for Suicide Awareness is a Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 by Barb Bigalke, delivering suicide prevention, emotional support, and mental health education through a diversified portfolio of trademarked programs. Its flagship is HOPELINE, a free 24/7 emotional support text line (text HOPELINE to 741741) launched in 2014 — among the earliest text-based crisis services in the United States — staffed by trained human counselors. The organization extends its offering through audience-specific programs: Coping Critters (K-12 emotional regulation), Pixel Care (gaming community moderator training), Project Rest (rest/mindfulness movement), Project Floyd (farmer wellness), Mission Reset (first responder residential retreats launched 2025), Interactive Wellness Gaming (Nintendo Switch-based therapy devices), HOPE Kits and Warrior Response Tool Kits (physical coping tools), and Mak the Yak (wellness room mascot). It also operates the Fox Valley Warrior Aid Alliance, Dar June sober-living facility, Ben's Hope, and Kenosha Survivor of Suicide Loss Support Group as wholly-owned operating divisions.

The organization's revenue model is a hybrid nonprofit stack: individual donations via PayPal, tiered corporate sponsorships ($500/$1,000/$5,000 monthly), fee-based training for organizations (first responders, schools, workplaces, hospitality, faith groups, gaming communities), retail HOPE Kit sales ($65-$75 each), merchandise through an Etsy storefront, and charity streaming via Tiltify. GTM is community-led and event-driven: 9 annual Wisconsin awareness walks since 2012, PAX gaming convention presence, content marketing through YouTube and a Telly Award-winning documentary, and direct outreach through 180+ organizational partnerships including the American Red Cross of Wisconsin, Florida National Guard, FBI Academy (Master Resilience Trainer certification), and SWORN.ai technology integration. With 1-10 employees and operations across all 50 states, the organization serves first responders, veterans, K-12 schools, workplaces, gaming communities, faith organizations, hospitality workers, and individuals in crisis.

Name

Center for Suicide Awareness

Legal name

Center for Suicide Awareness

Website

https://centerforsuicideawareness.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crisis Support, Suicide Prevention & Acute Behavioral Triage Platforms (HLALAEAI), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH), Crisis Response & Threat Assessment (Suicide Prevention, Violence Prevention) (EDAJAIAH)

Keywords

• Suicide prevention training
• Crisis text support
• Mental health education
• Emotional support services
• Community mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Kaukauna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting suicide prevention and mental health programs. Processed through PayPal and other channels.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Monthly sponsorship tiers ($500-$5,000/month) funding specific programs including HOPELINE, Disaster Response HOPE Kits, Nintendo Switch Wellness Devices, and Classroom Mental Health Tools.
3. Training Services: Fee-based suicide prevention training for organizations including first responders, schools, workplaces, hospitality workers, gaming communities, and faith organizations. Pricing varies by format, audience size, and delivery method.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including challenge coins, Pinny Arcade pins, apparel, and wellness items through Etsy store to fund programs.
5. HOPE Kit Sales: Sale of Disaster Response HOPE Kits ($65-$75 each) containing grounding aids, stress coping cards, comfort items, and mental health resources for first responders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Center for Suicide Awareness operates HOPELINE, a free 24/7 emotional support text-based crisis line (text HOPELINE to 741741), and delivers evidence-based suicide prevention training and educational programs to schools, first responders, workplaces, veterans, gaming communities, faith organizations, and hospitality workers. It also distributes HOPE Kits, Nintendo Switch-based Interactive Wellness Gaming devices, and runs Mission Reset first responder wellness retreats.

Product overview

Center for Suicide Awareness is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of mental health and suicide prevention programs. The core offering is HOPELINE, a free 24/7 emotional support text line (text HOPELINE to 741741). The organization provides educational training programs for veterans, first responders, educators, hospitality workers, gaming communities, faith communities, and workplaces. Additional programs include Coping Critters (school-based emotional regulation for children), Pixel Care (gaming community mental health), Project Rest (rest and mindfulness movement), Project Floyd (farmer wellness), Interactive Wellness Gaming Program (Nintendo Switch-based therapy), and Mission Reset (first responder wellness retreats). The organization also distributes HOPE Kits with grounding and coping tools, operates support groups including Alternatives to Suicide (Alt2Su) and Survivors of Suicide Loss (SOS), and features Mak the Yak as a mental wellness mascot. Programs are available nationally with Wisconsin roots.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HOPELINE™: 24/7 emotional support text line connecting people in distress with trained counselors. Text HOPELINE to 741741. Has credited with saving over 500 lives.
• Coping Critters™
• Pixel Care™
• Project REST™
• Project Floyd™
• Mission Reset
• Mak the Yak™
• Dar June
• Ben's Hope

Products and services

• HOPELINE Text Line Free, confidential, 24/7 emotional support text line connecting people in distress across the United States with trained crisis counselors via SMS short code 741741.
• Coping Critters Program Interactive school program helping children understand and manage emotions through sensory tools, yoga, breathing exercises, and animal mascots for emotional regulation in K-12 settings.
• Pixel Care Program Mental health support and moderator training program for gaming communities, working with game developers and Discord moderators on trauma-informed moderation and digital intervention.
• Suicide Prevention Training Fee-based, evidence-based suicide prevention training delivered to veterans, first responders, educators, hospitality workers, gaming communities, faith communities, and workplace teams. Pricing varies by format, audience size, and delivery method.
• HOPE Kits Curated wellness kits providing grounding aids, breathing tools, stress coping cards, comfort items, and confidential mental health resources for first responders, youth, workplaces, seniors, faith communities, and hospitality workers. Priced $65-$75 each.
• Interactive Wellness Gaming Program Nintendo Switch consoles preloaded with therapeutic games that support emotional regulation, stress relief, and connection for youth and vulnerable populations in schools, police departments, YMCAs, and Boys & Girls Clubs.
• Mission Reset Residential retreat experience for first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS, corrections, 911 dispatch) providing practical nervous system education, guided breathwork, and peer connection.
• Project Rest Movement and program promoting rest as a necessity for survival, offering calming music, mindfulness exercises, creative outlets, and an online shop for rest-promoting items.
• Project Floyd Mental wellness campaign featuring Floyd the Cow mascot focused on the unique mental health challenges faced by farming communities.
• Support Groups Peer-led support groups including Alternatives to Suicide (Alt2Su) and Survivors of Suicide Loss (SOS), offered at the Kaukauna Community Center for those dealing with grief, anxiety, depression, or seeking understanding.

Quantifiable outcome

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

Named customers5 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Red Cross of WisconsincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEmotional support resources and HOPELINE materials distributed through Red Cross channels; Disaster Response HOPE Kits provided to first responders during disasters
• Florida National GuardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary and first responder wellness initiatives; provides preloaded Nintendo Switch for mental wellness programming
• Futures Without Violence / Team: Changing MindscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPixelCare training initiatives focused on gaming wellness, online safety, and emotional support within gaming communities; collaborated with offices in Boston, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.
• Guilford County EMSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMS and first responder mental wellness collaboration in North Carolina
• SWORN.aicoreTechnology or IntegrationPublic safety wellness technology platform integrating CSA suicide prevention literature into SWORN.ai Resource Library; HOPELINE recommended as support option within the app for first responders and public safety professionals in Utah
• MOCICminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and resilience collaboration initiatives in Missouri for public safety
• South Brooklyn HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare and emotional wellness outreach partnership in New York
• St. Norbert CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent wellness and Interactive Wellness Gaming collaboration in Wisconsin; 1 console placed at Wellness Center
• Stream for a CauseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGaming and community mental wellness partnership in Michigan supporting charity streaming initiatives
• Queerty GamersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMental wellness resources and support within gaming communities in California
• Brown County Coalition for Suicide PreventioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional collaborative group strengthening suicide prevention initiatives, sharing resources, and supporting community education throughout Brown County and Northeast Wisconsin
• New Mental Health ConnectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWisconsin-based collaborative network improving mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and increasing access to resources through education, advocacy, and community partnerships
• National Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (NSPAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational coalition sharing best practices, strengthening suicide prevention initiatives, and supporting advocacy efforts that improve access to mental health resources
• Voices for Non-Opioid ChoicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational coalition advocating for non-opioid pain management. CSA participated in 2025 Congressional Summit in Washington D.C. advocating for prevention-focused healthcare policies linking chronic pain, mental health, and suicide prevention
• Peaceful Purpose, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides handcrafted soaps for inclusion in client gift bags for women experiencing medical hair loss; educational resources on aromatherapy and essential oils for relaxation and emotional wellbeing
• Fox Valley Warrior Aid Alliance (FVWAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran and first responder division providing Warrior Response Tool Kits with sensory items, calming aids, and mental health literature; brings evidence-informed wellness tools directly to veterans and first responders

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Crisis Text Line: Crisis Text Line operates the most prominent free, 24/7 text-based emotional support service in the US (text HOME to 741741 — the same shortcode backbone CSA uses for HOPELINE). It is the most direct functional peer, serving the same channel, same audience, with the same non-clinical volunteer-counselor model.
• The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project runs TrevorChat, TrevorText, and a 24/7 crisis line specifically for LGBTQ+ youth, with a comparable volunteer/text-first delivery model. It is a direct peer in crisis text-line operations and youth-focused prevention training.
• Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise delivers school-based violence and suicide prevention programs (Say Something, Start With Hello) with national K-12 reach. It overlaps with CSA's school-based Coping Critters and warning-sign training, serving the same customer segment.
• JED Foundation: JED is a leading nonprofit focused on emotional health and suicide prevention for teens and young adults, with deep programming in K-12 and higher-education settings. It is a direct peer to CSA's Coping Critters and educator training programs, competing for the same school-customer segment.

Emerging players

• Hope for the Day: Hope for the Day is a nonprofit focused on proactive mental health education and suicide prevention through music, art, and community programming. It is an emerging player in community-based mental health with a comparable prevention/awareness orientation and overlapping audience in younger demographics.

Broad incumbents

• Mental Health America (MHA): MHA is a national community-based nonprofit addressing mental health across the lifespan through screening, advocacy, and public education. It competes for the same corporate workplace training and public education dollars as CSA and operates at significantly broader scale.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Lifeline is the federally designated 24/7 crisis line launched in 2022, providing call, text, and chat support. It is a broad incumbent in the same crisis-intervention category as HOPELINE, with the advantage of unlimited federal marketing and infrastructure funding.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI is the largest US grassroots mental health organization, providing support groups, public education, and advocacy. It overlaps with CSA's support group offerings (Alt2Su, SOS) and corporate/family education programming, operating as a broad incumbent at greater scale.
• Vibrant Emotional Health: Vibrant Emotional Health administers the federally backed 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is the most consequential broad incumbent — the same 988 number CSA's HOPELINE text channel now competes against — and represents the scaled, publicly funded evolution of crisis line services.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): AFSP is the largest US nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention, funding research, advocacy, and community programs (Out of the Darkness Walks). It is a broad incumbent operating nationally with deeper resources than CSA in research and lobbying, and overlapping community-walk programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@centerforsuicideawareness/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/CenterForSuicideAwareness
• Xx.com/cntr4suicide
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-suicide-awareness-hopeline

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Center for Suicide Awareness