September 2021 Update: Distress Centre’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Distress Centre continues to support Calgarians by providing 24 hour crisis and 211 phone support, daily chat and ConnecTeen text support. This month we also introduced crisis 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. You can contact 211 to connect to resources for transportation to vaccine appointments.
The following report details the COVID-19 related crisis and 211 contacts responded to by Distress Centre Calgary in August 2021:
- The volume of high-risk contacts continues to see in an increase overall, however in August we saw our first decline from the same month in the previous year.
- In August, we experienced a 9% decrease in suicide related contacts compared to August 2020. YTD, we have experienced 27% increase in suicide related contacts compared to the same period last year.
- In August 2021, Suicide Ideation remained the 3rd top issue on crisis contacts. While we continue to see an increase in the volume of suicide-related contacts over 2020, we have not seem commensurate increase in volume of reportable disclosures in 2021. YTD, volume of reportable disclosures in 2021 is 1% less than was reported in the same time period in 2020.
- We have started to see a decline in contacts with COVID as a primary contact issue.
- In August, 18% of 211 contacts and 5% of crisis contacts were related to COVID-19. The increase in COVID-19 related contacts in 211 can be largely attributed to 211 supporting Albertans with accessing isolation supports and transportation to vaccination appointments.
- Our 211 contact volumes have increased YTD, however we have continued the trend noted last month in seeing a decrease in volumes compared to the same time period last year, primarily related to the easing of public health restrictions and provincial COVID support programs.
- We experienced a 43% decrease in 211 contacts in August 2021 compared to August 2020. YTD 211 contact volume has seen an increase of 31% over 2020.
- The top issues on COVID-19 related crisis contacts were Anxiety, Isolation/Loneliness and Depressed Mood. The top issues on all crisis contacts were Anxiety, Depressed Mood and Suicide Ideation.
- In August, the top needs on COVID-19 related 211 contacts were Information Sources, Undesignated Temporary Financial Assistance, and Communicable Disease Control. The top needs on all 211 contacts were Undesignated Temporary Financial Assistance, Information and Referral and Information Sources.
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For additional information on Distress Centre’s monthly data and trends by program (Crisis and 211), please visit Monthly Data Reports.
Anyone interested in learning more about needs and unmet needs across the province can visit the 211 Alberta COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
