The Distress Centre public education program provides informative and preventative presentations to school and community groups. In 2006, our public education team visited 293 groups and reached 8,182 audience members. Our professional staff speak on crisis related topics, often with the assistance of volunteers who present first-person accounts in the area of addictions.

The KARE (Knowledge, Awareness, Resources, Education) program operates in the schools and is presented in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association. Topics of the KARE program include suicide, drugs & alcohol, mental health, stress management, and problem gambling. Our public educators also provide their audiences with information on available resources including the Teen Line and Youth Drug Line.

As well, information about the Distress Centre and the services and resources we offer is provided each year at selected corporate locations at part of the United Way’s annual campaign. These presentations are also available by appointment by contacting our public education coordinator.

The Distress Centre also provides workshops to other agencies, organizations and businesses on a fee for service basis, on topics related to crisis intervention, disaster response and dealing with people in difficult, stressful situations.

To book a public education presentation for your school or community group, please contact the Public Education coordinator at 266-1601, or by email at public_ed@distresscentre.ab.ca.

All Distress Centre services are free of charge to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted.