LOOKING AT 2019

Last year, we made 133,834 connections.
We want to create a Calgary where everyone is heard.

46,763 crisis centre volunteer hours

Volunteers

  • We onboarded 206 new volunteers who completed the crisis intervention training.
  • 95% of our volunteers say they use their volunteering skills outside of DC with their family, at school, work and in the community.
  • Our crisis line volunteers represent $875,000 savings to us on salaries.

“You never know when crisis might strike, and it is important to know that you have a place to turn to. It is a hands on and integral way to directly support others in need, whether it is directing them to resources or simply listening to them.”
- Rachel, Volunteer

74,359 crisis connections made

Crisis Support

  • This year, we received the highest number of suicide related contacts ever:
    • 37% of text contacts were suicide related.
    • 17% of online contacts were suicide related.
    • 6,447, or 10% of phone contacts were suicide related.
  • The top four crisis caller concerns were psychological distress (stress), mental health, anxiety and relationships.
5,557 calls, chats, emails & texts

ConnecTeen

  • We have confidential 24 hour phone peer support for youth and teens as well as daily chat and text, and an interactive website.
    • 97% of surveyed users felt respected.
    • 90% of surveyed users felt their concerns were respected and the service was helpful in dealing with their situation.
2,652 face-to-face counselling sessions completed

Counselling

  • We saw a 117% increase in counselling intakes. We averaged 130 intakes per month or 30 intakes every week.
  • We saw an 8% increase in counselling referrals to Distress Centre over 2018.
  • We saw an 8% increase in counselling sessions completed over 2018.

“I felt alone, over-whelmed, ashamed and afraid. I picked up the phone and called. Your compassion, kindness and gentle insight helped me access a counsellor. It was then I started to re-claim my life. Thank you. You saved my life.”
- Counselling Client

90% of callers said they understand their needs better

211 Support

  • The Community Resource Database was brought in-house from the City of Calgary, ensuring our 211 staff have the most up-to-date resource information available.
  • Our 211 line connected 25,677 callers with the community resources they need.
  • Through our Basic Needs Fund, we distributed over $216,040 to 253 individuals and families who would otherwise be homeless or without critical utilities.
    • This was a 17% increase over 2018.
  • 94% of surveyed clients reported the Basic Needs Fund helped stabilize their personal crisis.
94% of CAA clients were satisfied

CAA, SORCe and Financial Empowerment

  • SORCe (Safe Communities Opportunity & Resource Centre) is a multi-agency collaborative resource center that connects people who are experiencing or are at-risk of homelessness, to programs and services that can help to address the barriers to stable housing.
  • Our Financial Empowerment Program finished 2019 with a total of $1.2M in tax related benefits to our clients.
  • Distress Centre operates the Coordinated Access and Assessment (CAA) Team at SORCe. The CAA Housing Strategists at SORCe work with clients to develop individualized housing plans and connect them to wrap around supports both at SORCe and in the community.
    • The CAA team supported 11,279 clients.

“Thank you all for the important work that you do. As a Psychologist working with folks who often express suicidal thoughts or experience crises, I greatly respect and honor the need for services offered by your team. I make sure my clients are aware they have access to 24/7 services. I'm grateful that your services are there.”
- Meg Hasek-Watt, Heart, Body & Mind

Connecting with Calgarians in crisis. You never know who might need support. It could be someone you know. Help us keep up with the growing need for all our services.

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