September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. As a crisis intervention agency, Distress Centre works every day to prevent suicides and decrease the stigma that surrounds the topic of suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, reach out to us for 24 hour support: Phone or text: 403-266-HELP (4357) Chat online:...
Guest Author: Lisa Wilder My name is Lisa, and I started my journey with Distress Centre Calgary in mid-September as an online services volunteer. I have what I call a “wondering mind.” Although this can take me off on all sorts of tangents, it should not be confused with a “wandering mind.” It is much different....
Forever 41 Memorial Ride takes place on August 7th, 2022 Header Image: Patricia Patricia Dawn was always a helper. She was born in Kamloops, BC and lived all over the Lower Mainland. She held two degrees, one in psychology and the other in nursing and spent most of her adult life in nursing roles, including a nine...
As we all deal with the ongoing mental health impact of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever that you’re supporting the people in your life and receiving support when you need it. The number one thing you can do when someone needs support is: listen. All of us have the ability to support another person...
2020 was a difficult year for most of us and one that highlighted the importance of our own mental health and self-care. 2021 is going to challenge us as well. At Distress Centre, we have been talking about self-care and creating a community of care since embedding these concepts into our Strategic Plan in 2019,...
Guest Post: Simryn Thind Mental health is often a topic that is neglected or not prioritized, when it should in fact, be at the top of our list in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In our society many hold stigmas around mental illness. This is especially true for middle-aged men who are in fear of...
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 from Stresscase puts it:...
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year. Each of us can play a part in helping the people in our lives – friends, family members, neighbours and coworkers - who are struggling with their mental health. First,...
We know reaching out to a crisis line takes a great deal of courage. That courage comes from admitting and accepting the fact you need help, and that you are willing to take that first step. It also comes from fearing the unknown. You might ask, “What happens when I contact a crisis line? Who...
The title of this article likely sounds familiar to you because the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, adapted from Jay Asher’s novel, Thirteen Reasons Why, has created immense discussion among teens, schools, and families. The show’s content is controversial and it has received some negative feedback. However, as an organization that specializes in crisis intervention and...
