Crisis

May 27 Update: Distress Centre’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

2020-05-27T10:20:44+00:00

Our office remains closed but all of our services are open and available by phone or online, including our crisis line, online chat, ConnecTeen, 211 and counselling services. If you need help, please reach out. We’re proud that we’ve been able to support Calgarians through such a difficult time. Here is one story of how [...]

May 27 Update: Distress Centre’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic2020-05-27T10:20:44+00:00

Distress Centre Calgary sees spike in crisis contacts due to COVID-19

2020-05-06T13:02:21+00:00

CALGARY – Distress Centre Calgary is reporting a rising number of crisis contacts related to COVID-19, a caseload that is expected to continue growing over the coming months and even years as the pandemic, and its long-term effects, continue to impact Albertans. The Centre received its first COVID-19 related call on January 26, and as of April 28 received over 37,000 contacts on its 24 hour 211 and crisis lines, [...]

Distress Centre Calgary sees spike in crisis contacts due to COVID-192020-05-06T13:02:21+00:00

How does Distress Centre manage a fully remote contact centre?

2020-04-30T15:58:28+00:00

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 [...]

How does Distress Centre manage a fully remote contact centre?2020-04-30T15:58:28+00:00

April 24 Update: Distress Centre’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

2020-04-24T12:28:23+00:00

Our office remains closed but all of our services are still available by phone or online, including our crisis line, online chat, ConnecTeen, 211 and counselling services. We are continuing to put measures in place to ensure that continuous crisis and 211 support is available in the coming weeks and months so that we can [...]

April 24 Update: Distress Centre’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic2020-04-24T12:28:23+00:00

April 17 Update: Distress Centre’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

2020-04-17T12:37:40+00:00

On March 17th, for the safety of our staff and volunteers, we closed our office. Within a week, we mobilized 80 staff to continue 24 hour support to our community remotely from home. Altogether, we mobilized 115 staff to work remotely from home.   All of our services are still available by phone or online, including our crisis line, online chat, ConnecTeen, 211 and [...]

April 17 Update: Distress Centre’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic2020-04-17T12:37:40+00:00

Distress Centre turns 50 TODAY!

2023-03-27T20:03:06+00:00

Distress Centre turns 50 TODAY! Happy birthday Distress Centre! We first opened our doors 50 years ago on April 14th, 1970. We’ve changed names and locations many times over the years, but our focus on listening and volunteerism remains the same. Watch the video below to experience 50 years of answering the [...]

Distress Centre turns 50 TODAY!2023-03-27T20:03:06+00:00

Distress Centre is here for Calgarians during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020-04-03T18:16:46+00:00

Distress Centre Calgary has provided 24 hour crisis support to our community for 50 years. We have responded to over 2.5 million calls, emails, chats, texts and counselling requests since April 14, 1970. And we want to be here for all Calgarians during this unprecedented global pandemic...  On March 17th, for the safety of our staff and [...]

Distress Centre is here for Calgarians during the COVID-19 pandemic2020-04-03T18:16:46+00:00

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

2020-03-19T12:24:09+00:00

Distress Centre closed our doors on March 17th, but we continue to provide 24 hour phone and email crisis support, daily chat and text for youth support, and counselling to those in crisis. These services are provided by staff working remotely from home. As the impact of COVID-19 grows, call volumes to our crisis lines [...]

March 19 Update: Distress Centre’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic2020-03-19T12:24:09+00:00

50 Stories Part 5: From drugs to distress

2020-02-04T11:11:34+00:00

Image: From a 1972 newspaper. Read - 50 Stories Part 4 At the end of 1971, the Drug Information Centre (DIC) continued at its original location, operating 24/7. Education, crisis support and counselling regarding drug issues remained the main goals. Policy decisions were arrived at through group discussion. A grant of $2,000 from Junior League [...]

50 Stories Part 5: From drugs to distress2020-02-04T11:11:34+00:00

Self-care tips from crisis line volunteers

2023-05-30T17:38:12+00:00

      Self-care is any activity that we intentionally do in order to take care of our physical, mental and emotional health. Practicing self-care helps you avoid burn out, improve your mood and reduce anxiety. By taking care of yourself you’re able to be there for others when they need you. As Karen Pickles [...]

Self-care tips from crisis line volunteers2023-05-30T17:38:12+00:00
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