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...
See this update as a video! It was a very long winter for all of us here in Calgary and across Alberta – the fourth coldest Calgary winter on record. With warmer temperatures and longer days, there is renewed optimism that spring is near and hope that summer weather is around the corner. At Distress Centre Calgary,...
Each month, we receive around 10,000 calls to our crisis line. Here are three stories highlighting the skill and compassion of our volunteers and staff as they support two callers and a chatter through crisis. Makena Makena called our crisis line on a Tuesday afternoon feeling overwhelmed, stressed out and lonely. She told the volunteer that her and...
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,...
Despite the large number of social services available in Calgary, people who need help often don’t know how to find it. The system of supports is complex and hard to navigate. That’s where 211 comes in. Calgarians who need help can simply dial 211 to speak with an Information & Referral Specialist who can help...
Karen Pickles first called Distress Centre’s crisis line six years ago. As a single mother of two children and caregiver to someone with severe mental health issues, she found herself calling DC often. “I’m sure that we would have called on a weekly basis for the first year,” Karen recalled. “There’s been so many times where...
