Content Warning: mention of suicide Ahsan has been volunteering with Distress Centre and our ConnecTeen youth program since 2015 but he still remembers the call that changed the way he handles crisis calls. Ahsan answered a call from someone who told him they were having thoughts of suicide, they had a plan to attempt suicide and they...
On Wednesday, May 11th, we were pleased to unveil our new 2022-2025 Strategic Plan at our Annual General Meeting. The plan has been developed on the underlying themes of strengthening, adapting and transforming our people, programs and the broader system in which we operate for a stronger crisis and navigation hub that connects empowers people...
We’ve launched a Virtual Escape Room for youth! The pandemic has made it more difficult to reach youth and inform them about ConnecTeen, our youth program. We’ve launched this Virtual Escape Room to educate youth about ConnecTeen, and provide mental health and crisis intervention resources in a fun, interactive way. There are two rooms currently available...
2021 was another challenging but exciting year for Distress Centre Calgary. Though we faced, and continue to contend with, the difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we also experienced growth, transformation and were able to celebrate some substantial achievements. As we move forward into a new year, we wanted to take a moment to reflect...
Distress Centre introduces crisis text support September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day - a day to bring awareness to suicide prevention and end the stigma that surrounds the topic. We acknowledge what a difficult year it has been for many. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, there is help. Distress Centre provides a 24 hour...
One year of pandemic response at Distress Centre Calgary This is part one in our multi-part series exploring Distress Centre’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, one year after we first activated our business continuity plan and went remote for the safety of our staff and volunteers. It hasn’t been an easy journey; we’ve encountered many challenges and 2021 continues to challenge...
Image: Teen Line volunteer Christmas party in 2000. Read - 50 Stories Part 37 In 2005 the Distress Centre’s youth program was named one of the best youth volunteer programs in the city by Volunteer Calgary's Youth Council. Nevertheless, with the many advances in technology that came mid-decade, the teen lines needed an upgrade. In cooperation with...
Image: Teen Line volunteers in 1996. Read - 50 Stories Part 27 The Teen Line was still going strong in 1990/91 with a new 264-TEEN phone number and almost 5000 calls being answered by 28 volunteers (average age 18.5). Public education delivered by staff and volunteers included youth and parent presentations, as well as school and mall...
Read - 50 Stories Part 17 With its roots as a Drug Information Centre, Distress Centre has always had addiction support as a mandate. In September of 1990, as part of the desired expansion of services, there was a return to the use of young recovering addicts via the start-up of a new Youth Drug Line...
Image: Dakota Douglas, Crisis Team Lead, working remotely from home. As the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic became undeniable in March, the Distress Centre leadership team and Board had a decision to make. For the safety and health of our volunteers and staff, we decided to completely close our office on March 17th, 2020. Behind the scenes,...
