Frequently Asked Questions

The Solace Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing accessible mental health crisis support. We're building ASTRAL CORE, a free AI-powered crisis intervention platform, and working to ensure no one has to face their darkest moments alone.

Yes, The Solace Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

We're based in New Jersey, USA, but our services are designed to help anyone, anywhere in the world who needs crisis support.

We rely on donations from individuals and organizations who believe in our mission. We don't charge users for any of our services, and we never will. 100% of donations go toward building and maintaining our crisis support tools.

ASTRAL CORE is our AI-powered crisis support platform. It provides immediate, 24/7 access to crisis support through trained AI companions that use evidence-based therapeutic approaches. It's designed to be the first line of support when someone is struggling, until human help can step in.

ASTRAL CORE is currently in alpha development. We're working hard to build something that's safe, effective, and truly helpful. You can request beta access through our contact page to be notified when it launches.

Yes, ASTRAL CORE will always be completely free to use. Mental health support shouldn't be behind a paywall. No subscription, no premium tiers, no hidden costs. Ever.

AI isn't a replacement for human therapists or crisis counselors. But it can be a bridge, keeping someone on the line until help arrives, or helping someone get through the next hour. Our AI uses evidence-based approaches like CBT and mindfulness, with a multi-stage safety system that detects crisis situations and connects users to real human resources when needed.

ASTRAL CORE supports 14 languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, French, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, German, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Each language includes cultural adaptations to provide more effective support.

Yes. We use end-to-end encryption for all conversations. We don't sell your data, and we follow HIPAA-aligned practices. You can use ASTRAL CORE anonymously if you prefer, and you can delete your data at any time.

Our multi-stage AI safety system monitors for crisis situations. If someone expresses imminent harm to themselves or others, the system will provide immediate crisis resources, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and can facilitate connections to emergency services.

We're currently working toward full HIPAA certification. Our practices are HIPAA-aligned, meaning we follow the security and privacy standards required by HIPAA, even though we're not yet fully certified. We take privacy extremely seriously.

We retain minimal data necessary to provide the service. We never share or sell your data. You can request deletion of all your data at any time through your account settings or by contacting us.

If you're in immediate danger, please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). If you're outside the US, visit our Resources page for international crisis hotlines. Your life matters, and help is available right now.

No. ASTRAL CORE is not a replacement for professional therapy or psychiatric care. It's designed to provide immediate support during difficult moments and help bridge the gap until you can access professional help. We always encourage users to work with licensed mental health professionals.

Our AI uses evidence-based therapeutic approaches and goes through a 3-stage validation pipeline with 6 specialized safety components. It's trained to avoid harmful suggestions and to always direct users toward professional resources when appropriate. However, no AI is perfect, which is why we always provide access to human crisis resources.

There are many ways to help. You can donate to support our work, volunteer your time (we need developers, mental health professionals, translators, and community advocates), spread the word about our mission, or simply share our resources with someone who might need them.

It depends on the role. For TETHER peer support volunteers, we provide training but look for people with empathy and good listening skills. For clinical advisory roles, we require relevant credentials. For technical or administrative roles, relevant experience is helpful but not always required.

Yes. The Solace Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by US law. You'll receive a receipt for your records.

Absolutely. We work with healthcare organizations, schools, businesses, and other non-profits to provide mental health support to their communities. Contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.