January 26, 2021 marks one year since Distress Centre’s first documented COVID-19 related contact. “Distress Centre staff and volunteers faced 2020 with a determination and strength I wouldn’t have imagined possible,” said Jerilyn Dressler, Executive Director. “Despite all of the challenges we faced as a global community, Distress Centre responders continued to answer calls for help 24 hours...
Image: Our 2020 staff and volunteer photo, taken in December. Like the rest of the world, 2020 was one of the most challenging years we’ve had in our 50 year history. Thanks to the support and hard work of our staff, volunteers, partners, donors, and supporters, we got through 2020 and are poised to take on...
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. Distress Centre Calgary/211 Alberta South phone services are available in over 200 languages, 24/7. If you need help, please reach out. Contact Numbers/Stats – January 26-November...
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. With new cases and restrictions increasing, you may find your stress level are increasing as well. If you need help, please reach out. Up-to-date information is...
Image: Riverfront Avenue in Calgary after the 2013 flood. Photo by Ryan Quan. Read - 50 Stories Part 43 In 1970, the idea of a two-day concert with accompanying sex, drugs and rock and roll was considered enough of a pending disaster to cause the formation of the Drug Information Centre. In 2013, Calgary faced an...
Some people know from early in their lives what they have passion for. The vast majority however, discover which areas interest them through experience and exploration. For Romit Panesar, a crisis line and leadership volunteer at Distress Centre, an unexpected introduction to mental illness is what drove him to find his passion in life. Romit spent...
Distress Centre continues to support Calgarians by providing 24/7 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. At Distress Centre, we know how important self-care is, especially as we head into winter. See Jerilyn Dressler's Q3 update...
Distress Centre continues to support Calgarians by providing 24/7 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. Up-to-date information is critical during rapidly changing times like these. If you are a community partner in the Calgary area...
Image: Volunteers in the Contact Centre in 2006. Read - 50 Stories Part 35 For many years, Distress Centre volunteer and staff training included presentations by members of what was then known as the GLBTT community. Calls about various aspects of human sexuality and relationships were a staple of both volunteer training role plays and actual calls....
In the sixth month of our COVID-19 response, we continue to support Calgarians by providing 24/7 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. Since our last update, we experienced an unmanageable increase in contacts from people...
