Saturday, 21 May 2016

Distress Centre Calgary


Distress Centre Calgary:
Providing Crisis & Mental Health Support

Having dealt with mental health issues the majority of my life and as a working student, I can sympathize with those who may not be able to access affordable treatment options. With the price of an average counselling session at $100+, many of us end up feeling helpless and may turn to other coping strategies involving alcohol, drugs and self-harm. Even if there is no pre-existing mental illness, one can still feel helpless and alone due to the loss of a friend, family member, pet, house, or a certain lifestyle. Generally, any major life change can cause a person to feel fear, anxiety and/or distress.

About Distress Centre Calgary

Acknowledging that people may overcome various life challenges more easily given adequate access to crisis/addiction support services, Distress Centre Calgary (DCC) was formed. Originally established as the the Drug Information Centre in 1970, the name of the organization was changed in 1977 to provide a “dual emphasis” on drug related calls and calls relating to crisis and addiction. Throughout the 80s and 90s, the Centre has grown significantly and is now Calgary’s “main hub of crisis support”. Distress Centre Calgary provides all area residents access to a 24-hour crisis help line (403-266-HELP), online chat and email support, free professional counselling services and referrals to community/government programs.

Programs & Initiatives

Distress Centre Calgary has been largely successful in terms of pursuing its mission and vision, which are, respectively, to provide compassionate crisis support that “enhances the health, well-being, and resiliency of individuals in distress” and to ensure that “everyone is heard”.  This success is demonstrated through the establishment of the of the 211 help line as a joint initiative with the City of Calgary and the United Way. With data obtained from the 211 line, the Centre has mapped various issues within city communities, enabling the organization to develop programs and target help to “hardest hit populations” and communities most in need. In addition to a variety of community and family-related programs, the Centre has also developed services specifically for younger audiences through its ConnecTeen program. ConnecTeen allows Calgary and area youth to access crisis support and counselling services via a texting line (587.333.2724), 24-hour help line (403-264-TEEN) and an online chat/email platform.  

More Fast Facts About Distress Centre Calgary

  • Some of the main funders of Distress Centre Calgary are:
    • The United Way
    • Alberta Health Services
    • Government of Alberta
    • Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
    • Calgary Homeless Foundation
    • Government of Alberta
  • During the 2011 floods, there was a 40% increase in calls to Distress Centre Calgary
  • When the ConnecTeen texting program began in 2013, it was the first of its kind in North America
  • In 2015, 20% of texts to the ConnecTeen service were suicide related
  • In 2015, the Centre’s “Basic Needs Fund” distributed $139,286 to families and individuals in financial need, a 59% increase over 2014

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 - Olivia Blundell
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