In Week 25 of our COVID-19 response, we continue to support Calgarians by providing 24/7 crisis and 211 phone support, daily chat and ConnecTeen text support. Counselling sessions are being conducted by phone and video. If you need help, please reach out.
We’re proud that we’ve been able to support Calgarians through such a difficult time. Here is one story of how we helped a crisis line caller:
“A man contacted Distress Centre* and stated that he was feeling anxious about the pandemic, because he is immunocompromised. His family has been supportive through this but it has caused stress for all of them as they are worried about him getting sick. The volunteer listened to the caller’s concerns, and validated his feelings. They explored methods and self-care strategies to help him manage his anxiety during the pandemic. The volunteer invited the caller to contact us again, if he required further support.”
*Some details have been changed to ensure confidentiality for the caller.
Contact Numbers/Stats – Week 25 (July 12-18, 2020):
- COVID-19 remains a top issue on Distress Centre’s 211 contacts. In Week 25, 50% of 211 contacts and 7% of crisis contacts were related to COVID-19.
- Our contact volumes have increased as well. The increase is mainly being seen in 211 – we have experienced a 34.2% increase in 211 contacts from January 26-July 18 compared to the same time period last year and a 99.8% increase compared to the same week last year.
- In Week 25, COVID-19 was the 11th top issue on crisis contacts. The top issues on COVID-19 related crisis contacts were Isolation/Loneliness, Anxiety, and Family Relationships. The top issues on all crisis contacts were Anxiety, Depressed Mood, and Family Relationships.
- Isolation/Loneliness, Intimate Partner Relationships, and Parent/Child Relationships were the 4th, 5th, and 6th top issues respectively.
- In Week 25, the top needs on COVID-19 related 211 contacts were Medical Equipment/Supplies, Information Sources, and Information and Referral. The top needs on all 211 contacts were Medical Equipment/Supplies, Information Sources, Information and Referral, and Crisis Intervention.
- We experienced a significant spike in needs and unmet needs related to Medical Equipment/Supplies is related to inquirers reaching out in regard to accessing the Provincial Government’s mask distribution program. For more information, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/masks.aspx.
- The number of high-risk crisis and 211 contacts have increased.
- This week, we experienced an 10.3% decrease in suicide related contacts compared to the same week last year. We have experienced a 17.3% increase in suicide related contacts from January 26-July 18 compared to the same time period last year.
