Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V.
Telefonseelsorge Berlin e.V. is a registered nonprofit founded in 1956 that operates Germany's first 24/7 anonymous crisis hotline, staffed by approximately 100 trained volunteer counselors, and runs BeSu Berlin, a specialized counseling center for suicide survivors and affected families.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1956
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. does
Telefonseelsorge Berlin e.V. is a registered nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1956 in West Berlin, operating Germany's first telephone crisis counseling service. The organization provides a 24/7, toll-free, anonymous crisis hotline (0800 111 0 111, with a Europe-wide international number 0049 116 123) staffed by approximately 100 trained volunteer counselors, serving individuals in emotional distress, those with suicidal thoughts, and people dealing with loneliness, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, or bullying. In 2016 it extended the offering with BeSu Berlin, a specialized counseling center for suicide survivors and affected family members described as unique in Germany, providing individual consultations and guided group sessions. The organization additionally delivers training, workshops, and educational programs to other organizations, and engages in policy advocacy — including a formal statement on the Federal Ministry of Health's draft Suicide Prevention Act.
The underlying technology stack is intentionally low-tech: standard telephone infrastructure for service delivery and a WordPress website with the Elementor content management system for digital presence. There is no proprietary software, mobile application, or AI/ML component disclosed; the value proposition rests entirely on human-delivered, regulated-confidentiality counseling. Revenue is sourced from a deliberately diversified mix including individual donations (including occasion and tribute donations), corporate sponsorship and partnerships, supporting membership fees (€100 per year), partial public funding that covers volunteer training but only partially covers operating costs, foundation grants, charity shopping referral revenue (WeCanHelp, Gooding), and court-ordered fines and penalties. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on a physical counseling center, community event presence (e.g., World Suicide Prevention Day), earned media (radio, podcast, magazine features), social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), newsletter, and limited transit advertising.
Telefonseelsorge Berlin is governed by a volunteer board chaired by Elvira Drobinski-Weiß and operationally led by Managing Director Kerstin Großmann, with Bettina Schwab as professional director and deputy managing director. The organization is a member of the Dachverband katholischer und evangelischer Telefonseelsorgen in Germany and of the Netzwerk Suizidprävention Berlin, has signed the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft transparency commitment, and holds charitable status under German tax law (Finanzamt für Körperschaften I, Berlin). It operates from a single headquarters at Nansenstraße 27 in Berlin-Neukölln, with no subsidiaries, parent company, or disclosed geographic footprint beyond Berlin.
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V.
- Legal name
- Telefonseelsorge Berlin e.V.
- Website
- https://telefonseelsorge-berlin.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1956
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Telefonseelsorge Berlin e.V. is a registered nonprofit founded in 1956 that operates Germany's first 24/7 anonymous crisis hotline, staffed by approximately 100 trained volunteer counselors, and runs BeSu Berlin, a specialized counseling center for suicide survivors and affected families.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Crisis Counseling Services
- NAICS
- Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Behavioral Health Crisis Services Management (988/Hotlines/Mobile Crisis Coordination) (HLAEAHAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD), Crisis Support, Suicide Prevention & Acute Behavioral Triage Platforms (HLALAEAI), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)
Keywords
Where Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: The organization receives donations from individuals, including special occasion donations (birthdays, weddings, Christmas), tribute donations in memory of deceased persons, and general contributions. Donations are tax-deductible for German taxpayers.
- Corporate Sponsorship and Partnerships: Companies can support the organization through direct donations, sponsoring, cooperation agreements, and knowledge transfer. The organization offers engagement opportunities for corporations focused on mental health and crisis prevention.
- Membership Fees: Supporting members pay an annual fee of 100.00 euros to support the organization's operations and crisis intervention services.
- Public Funding: The organization receives public funds that cover part of the costs for training volunteers. Additional costs for salaries, administration, rent, and utilities are only partially covered by public subsidies.
- Foundation Grants: The organization seeks support from foundations that align with their mission of suicide prevention and crisis support.
- Charity Shopping Platforms: Revenue generated through online shopping platforms (WeCanHelp, Gooding) where a percentage of purchases is donated to the organization.
- Fines and Court-Ordered Payments: The organization accepts court-ordered fines and penalties as donations, listed at Amtsgericht Tiergarten, Amtsgericht Oranienburg, and Landgericht Berlin.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Crisis Hotline - 0800 111 0 111 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Telefonseelsorge Berlin e.V. operates a 24/7 anonymous, toll-free crisis hotline (0800 111 0 111) staffed by approximately 100 trained volunteer counselors, providing free emotional support and crisis intervention. The organization also operates BeSu Berlin, a specialized counseling center established in 2016 for suicide survivors and their relatives, offering individual consultations and group sessions.
Product overview
Telefonseelsorge Berlin e.V. operates as a crisis support organization offering a unified suite of mental health and suicide prevention services. The core offering is the Seelsorgetelefon (Crisis Hotline) — a 24/7 anonymous telephone counseling service staffed by approximately 100 trained volunteers. Complementing the hotline is BeSu Berlin, a specialized counseling center for suicide-affected relatives and next-of-kin established in 2016, offering both individual consultations and guided group sessions. Additionally, the organization provides professional training and workshops (Fortbildung, Schulung und Workshops) to other organizations. All core services are provided free of charge and are accessible around the clock.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BeSu Berlin: Counseling center for suicide-affected family members and relatives of suicidal individuals, offering individual counseling and guided group sessions.
Products and services
- Seelsorgetelefon (Crisis Hotline) A 24/7 telephone counseling service providing anonymous, free emotional support for people in distress, crisis situations, or seeking someone to talk to. Staffed by approximately 100 well-trained volunteer counselors.
- BeSu Berlin (Beratungsstelle für suizidbetroffene An- und Zugehörige) A counseling center providing individual consultations and guided group sessions for suicide survivors and relatives of suicide-vulnerable individuals. Unique in Germany for its specialized support for those affected by completed or attempted suicide.
- Fortbildung, Schulung und Workshops Professional training programs and workshops offered to organizations, providing education in crisis intervention, active listening, and suicide prevention skills.
Companies that use Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V.
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Netzwerk Suizidprävention BerlincoreTelefonseelsorge Berlin is an active member of the Berlin Suicide Prevention Network, participating in joint events like World Suicide Prevention Day, panel discussions, and community outreach activities. The network organizes comprehensive programs including information booths, discussions, readings, and film screenings.
- Dachverband katholischer und evangelischer Telefonseelsorgen in DeutschlandcoreThe organization belongs to the umbrella association of Catholic and Protestant crisis hotlines in Germany, maintaining connection to Christian roots while remaining independent from denominational pressure. This affiliation provides framework and shared standards for crisis intervention services.
- Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft (ITZ)minorTelefonseelsorge Berlin supports the transparency requirements of the Initiative for Transparent Civil Society, voluntarily committing to publish organizational information for public accountability.
- Fachstelle Suizidprävention BerlincorePartner in organizing World Suicide Prevention Day events and ongoing suicide prevention initiatives in Berlin. The organization participates in organized programs including memorial services, educational events, and community outreach.
- betterplace.orgminorOnline donation platform partner where donors can contribute to Telefonseelsorge Berlin's campaigns. 2.8% of each donation covers transaction costs.
- WeCanHelpminorCharity shopping platform where a percentage (up to 5%) of online purchases is donated to Telefonseelsorge Berlin when customers shop through the platform.
- GoodingminorCharity shopping platform enabling donations to Telefonseelsorge Berlin through online purchases, with percentage of sales donated to the organization.
- Amtsgericht Tiergarten, Amtsgericht Oranienburg, Landgericht BerlinminorCourts that list Telefonseelsorge Berlin as an approved recipient for court-ordered fines and penalties (Geldauflagen), providing an additional revenue stream from legal penalties.
- RadioEins (RBB)minorBerliner radio station that featured an interview with a volunteer counselor in their 'The End' podcast about life and death topics, providing media exposure for the organization.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Crisis Text Line: US-based nonprofit providing free, 24/7 text-based crisis support. Represents the text-first crisis service model that Telefonseelsorge Berlin does not currently operate, and a useful benchmark for digital channel expansion.
- Krisenchat: Berlin-based nonprofit offering free, anonymous 24/7 text-based crisis support for young people in Germany. Competes for the same crisis-intervention demand as Telefonseelsorge Berlin but via a digital channel, representing the channel-shift risk.
Direct peers
- Telefonseelsorge Deutschland (Dachverband): National umbrella association of Catholic and Protestant Telefonseelsorge branches in Germany, of which Telefonseelsorge Berlin is a member. Operates the same crisis hotline model with shared training standards, making it the most directly comparable peer.
- Nummer gegen Kummer: German nationwide association operating children's and youth helplines (116 111) and parent helplines. Highly comparable model — volunteer-staffed, anonymous, toll-free telephone counseling — but focused on youth and parents rather than general adult crisis.
- Fachstelle Suizidprävention Berlin: Berlin's specialist suicide prevention coordination body, of which Telefonseelsorge Berlin is a core partner. Directly comparable in mission and geographic scope, and a primary coordination counterpart for the organization's outreach and policy work.
Others
- AGJ – Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Kinder- und Jugendhilfe: German umbrella association for child and youth welfare. Tangentially comparable as a policy and coordination body in the social services sector, and a potential partner in policy advocacy around the Suizidpräventionsgesetz.
Broad incumbents
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): US national network of local crisis centers providing 24/7 call, text, and chat support. Comparable in mission and operating model to Telefonseelsorge Berlin, with explicit expansion into text/chat that the subject company lacks.
- Samaritans (UK & Ireland): UK charity operating a 24/7 emotional support hotline; the original model Telefonseelsorge Berlin was explicitly founded on in 1956. Comparable volunteer-driven crisis hotline operating at national scale in a different geography.
Regional players
- Caritas Berlin: Berlin-based Catholic welfare organization operating general social and crisis support services. Comparable as a Berlin-region social services provider but broader in scope than Telefonseelsorge Berlin's crisis-line specialization.
- Diakonie Berlin: Berlin-based Protestant welfare organization providing social services including counseling. Comparable as a Berlin social services peer and via its religious-affiliated umbrella, but with a broader service portfolio than Telefonseelsorge Berlin.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. social profiles
Digital presenceTelefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V.
What does Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. do?
Telefonseelsorge Berlin e.V. operates a 24/7 anonymous, toll-free crisis hotline (0800 111 0 111) staffed by approximately 100 trained volunteer counselors, providing free emotional support and crisis intervention. The organization also operates BeSu Berlin, a specialized counseling center established in 2016 for suicide survivors and their relatives, offering individual consultations and group sessions.
Is Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. a public or private company?
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. founded?
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. was founded in 1956. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. based?
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorship and Partnerships, membership Fees, public Funding, foundation Grants, charity Shopping Platforms and fines and Court-Ordered Payments.
Who are Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V.'s main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Crisis Text Line and Krisenchat. Direct peers are Telefonseelsorge Deutschland (Dachverband), Nummer gegen Kummer and Fachstelle Suizidprävention Berlin. AGJ – Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Kinder- und Jugendhilfe is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) and Samaritans (UK & Ireland). Regional players are Caritas Berlin and Diakonie Berlin.
Does Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V..
What industry is Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V. in?
Telefonseelsorge Berlin E. V.'s product category is Crisis Counseling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAEAHAK, Behavioral Health Crisis Services Management (988/Hotlines/Mobile Crisis Coordination), with a secondary code of BPAGACAD, Mental Health & Crisis Support Services. Its NAICS code is 624230 and its SIC code is 8300.