February 2021 Update: Distress Centre’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

As we near the second year of our pandemic response, Distress Centre continues to support Calgarians by providing 24 hour crisis and 211 phone support, daily chat and ConnecTeen text support. Counselling sessions are being conducted by phone and video. If you need help, please reach out. Distress Centre also has several programs available at SORCe for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

Please note that 211 does not book vaccine appointments. Call 811 or book online.

The following report details the COVID-19 related crisis and 211 contacts responded to by Distress Centre Calgary in January 2021:

• The volume of high-risk contacts has increased. We experienced a 28% increase in suicide-related contacts in January 2021 compared to January 2020, and a 41% increase from January 26-December 31 2020 compared to the same time period in 2019.
• In January 2021, Suicide Ideation was the 3^rd top issue on crisis contacts. To our knowledge, this is the first time that suicide has entered the top 3 issues on Distress Centre’s crisis lines.
• COVID-19 remains a top issue on Distress Centre’s 211 contacts.
• In January, 34% of 211 contacts and 12% of crisis contacts were related to COVID-19. The increase in COVID-19 related contacts in 211 can be attributed to 211 supporting Albertans with accessing isolation supports
• Our 211 contact volumes have increased – we experienced a 72% increase in 211 contacts in January 2021 compared to January 2020, and a 72% increase in 211 contacts from January 26-December 31 2020 compared to the same time period in 2019.
• In January, COVID-19 was the 9^th top issue on crisis contacts. The top issues on COVID-19 related crisis contacts were Isolation/Loneliness, Anxiety and Depressed Mood.
• The top issues on all crisis contacts were Anxiety, Depressed Mood and Suicide Ideation.
• In January, the top needs on COVID-19 related 211 contacts were Communicable Disease Control, Information Sources and Undesignated Temporary Financial Assistance.
• The top needs on all 211 contacts were Information and Referral, Undesignated Temporary Financial Assistance and Information Sources.

[edgtf_button size=”” type=”” text=”See the Full Report” custom_class=”” icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” link=”https://www.distresscentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Distress-Centre-COVID-19-Monthly-Report_January-2021.pdf” target=”_blank” color=”” hover_color=”” background_color=”” hover_background_color=”” border_color=”” hover_border_color=”” font_size=”” font_weight=”” margin=””]
For additional information on Distress Centre’s monthly data and trends by program (Crisis and 211), please visit our Monthly Data Reports page.

Anyone interested in learning more about needs and unmet needs across the province can visit the 211 Alberta COVID-19 Data Dashboard.