Suicide Prevention of Yolo County (SPYC) was founded in 1966 after the deaths of a popular UC Davis professor and his wife. Professionals in the community recognized a need for crisis response services, so with the help of concerned citizens, a telephone crisis line began operation. This beginning 24-hour crisis line was funded by churches, service groups, and individual donors and operated solely by volunteers. Incorporation as a non-profit organization occurred in 1980 resulting from the growing need for these specialized services. Today, SPYC is among one of the 10 oldest suicide prevention crisis lines operated by trained volunteers in the nation. The agency also serves teens in Yolo County through the Allied Services for Kids (ASK) crisis lines, a School Safety and Violence Reporting Crisis Line, and the 'SOS-Signs of Suicide® school education and prevention program. Free monthly support groups for those who have lost a loved one to suicide are also provided by the agency. Each year, SPYC provides immediate telephone support to more than 10,500 callers who are suffering from depression, contemplating suicide or are in severe psychological distress.
The mission of Suicide Prevention of Yolo County is to provide crisis prevention and intervention, education, and community outreach services to the residents of Yolo County.
Through the COVID pandemic, our crisis line volunteers have continued working in the office to cover our 24-hour, 7 day a week, crisis lines. Our staff members' and volunteers' health and safety is our top priority so to keep them safe, we are eagerly accepting donations such as: disinfectant, paper towels, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, Winix brand air filter replacements (model C535) and masks.
Items like these are on the top of our "needs" list. We want to make sure we continue providing them a safe environment to volunteer. Our volunteers have remained dedicated to serving their community amidst these unprecedented times.
Volunteering long hours is appetite inducing, so donations of unopened snacks and drinks are always welcomed! (They love coffee K-pods and salty/sweet snacks!)
Additionally, office supplies such as printer paper, pens, paper towels, garbage bags, and white binders are always in great demand.
Bookmarks, crisis line wallet cards, posters, parent newsletters and other outreach materials cost the agency $2,000 each year. We need an on-going supply of these materials due to the many requests we have for outreach.
Joining our Board of Directors or Community Council allows you to become part of the governing body of Suicide Prevention. Serving two year renewable terms, being a member of one of these groups allows you to be more involved with fulfilling Suicide Prevention's mission, supporting us to save lives, and becoming part of a strong effort to improve our community's mental health.
Suicide Prevention of Yolo County is in need of newer technology. As the need for our services continue to increase, we must stay up-to-date with our software and technology to keep up with our data and referral systems. For the last three years, we have steadily been increasing our staff to keep up with the growing demand of crisis calls which is a continuing trend.
We are also always in need of funding for computers, handheld phones, keyboards, and headsets would greatly benefit our agency!
Organization name
Suicide Prevention of Yolo County
other names
SPYC, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services
Tax id (EIN)
94-2619492
Mission Category
Mental Health & Crisis Intervention
Operating Budget
$250,001-$500,000
Organization Need
In-Kind Donations, Funding: Other, Board Members, Technology
Demographics Served
Veterans, Youth & Children
Address
P.O. Box 622CA, US
Davis, CA, US