Calgary Distress Centre introduces text support as suicide-related calls spike
Calgarians who find themselves in need of counselling or support can now send a text message to get help.
The Calgary Distress Centre already has a 24 hour crisis line and daily online chat support, but on Friday announced potential clients can now text them too.
Texts can be sent to 403-266-4357 weekdays from 3 p.m. – 6 a.m. and weekends from 12 p.m. – 6 a.m.
The crisis line is accessible 24/7 by calling the same number. Service is free and is offered in over 200 languages.
The announcement on Friday coincided with World Suicide Day.
Mike Velthuis Kroeze, interim director of programs at the Distress Centre, said they've seen a 34 per cent increase in suicide-related calls so far this year compared to last.
In addition, suicidal ideation has been the second top issue among the Calgary Distress Centre's crisis chats, and suicide has been a presenting issue in 52 per cent of chats.
"It is really concerning to know people in the community are having those thoughts," Velthuis Kroeze said. "But it's also a positive because it means those people are reaching out to us."
He said offering support through text helps the distress centre continue to remove barriers to the support volunteers can offer.
"I think it's just really crucial now more than ever that we provide the modes of communication that our service users are really comfortable with," Velthuis Kroeze said.
"I think we need to recognize that we have people entering adulthood now that never really had to make a lot of phone calls, they've had texting in their lives the whole time.
"We also know though research that people are more likely to discuss their thoughts of suicide with the relative anonymity of a texting service."
Velthuis Kroeze said there's "no question" that the increase in suicide-related calls can be linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though the number of suicide-related calls has increased, the Distress Centre said calls that require emergency intervention have not increased equally.
"Why are we seeing this increase in suicide-related contacts when emergency interventions and completed suicides have not increased? Though we can’t say for certain, our optimistic hope is that the stigma around this topic is decreasing and people are more comfortable reaching out for help before it gets to a point of attempting suicide," a release stated.
If you're concerned someone you know is contemplating suicide, Velthuis Kroeze said his advice is to ask them how they're doing.
"We know through research that asking someone about suicide doesn't make them more likely to attempt suicide," he said.
"Just checking in with them and saying 'what's going on? I've noticed that you're down. How can I help?"
For more information on the Calgary Distress Centre you can visit their website at distresscentre.com.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion, 1 person seriously injured: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.