Bob Wilkie, a native Calgarian, fell in love with playing hockey as soon as his dad introduced him to the game as a child. He grew up near outdoor rinks and was able to practice frequently. Soon he began to dream of playing for the NHL. In 1987, at age 18, he realized that dream when...
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day and Distress Centre wants anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or struggling with their mental health to know that help is available. We offer 24/7 phone support, professional counselling and daily online chat support and text support for youth. In 2019 Distress Centre has observed that people prefer to talk about...
See this update as a video! After a rainy start to the season, it feels like summer is finally here. With the recent sunny weather comes spending time outside, festivals, going to Calaway Park and all the other sunny weather activities we can take part in. But at Distress Centre, we know the joy that many...
Distress Centre has responded to over 38,000 crisis calls, chats, texts and emails so far in 2019 (as of June 30th). Here are two stories highlighting the skill and compassion of our volunteers as they support a caller and a texter through crisis. Arnav Arnav called Distress Centre at 11:45 on a Thursday night. He told the volunteer...
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June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, a day to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. At Distress Centre, we know that Indigenous people face unique issues, due to the trauma and colonialism Indigenous people have experienced. Unfortunately, according to the Centre for Suicide Prevention, Indigenous...
Twice a year, Distress Centre holds an evening to show appreciation for the amazing volunteers that make it possible for us to do the work that we do. The theme of the night was storytelling. Crisis line and online services volunteers answer calls, chats and texts that come through to our contact centre, from distressed Calgarians...
We're here for you when things seem dark. Everyone has dark days, dark thoughts and dark moods. Often these dark clouds come and go, but sometimes the storm doesn’t pass so quickly. This year, we’ve helped thousands of Calgarians find their way to a brighter place. [edgtf_button size="" type="" text="See our 2018 Report to the Community" custom_class="" icon_pack="font_awesome"...
At the early hour of 5am on May 11, 2019, hundreds of Calgarians will gather in the darkness at Prince’s Island Park for Darkness Into Light Calgary, a unique 5k run/walk in support of suicide prevention and overcoming mental health struggles. As participants walk or run towards the finish line, the sun will peak slowly...
Dee Bardsley, a retired schoolteacher, began volunteering on our crisis lines in 2013. She still remembers one of her first high risk calls - from a struggling young man who was having thoughts of suicide. Dee had spoken with him for a few minutes when he revealed that he had always wanted to be a teacher. “I...
