Latest News
4th Annual Outrun The Stigma helps create a world without mental health stigma
The Stigma, can you outrun him? Outrun the Stigma was formed at the University of Calgary when Co-Founders Leah Shipton and Amy Li, leaders of [...]
6th Annual Lend An Ear Breakfast sends guests home laughing
What a great way to start the day! On the morning of September 22, 2016, our guest speaker, comedian Big Daddy Tazz, had people laughing [...]
Are you having thoughts of suicide? Reach out for help
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. Distress Centre wants to encourage anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or struggling with their mental health in any way, [...]
Talking to your children about tragedy
Unfortunately, news of tragedy is not an uncommon occurrence in our lives. And when they occur, as we all struggle to understand how horrific events [...]
211 helps Syrian refugees and new immigrants settle in Calgary
Since November 2015, over 27,000 Syrian refugees have arrived in Canada. 1,400 of those refugees have settled in Calgary. Welcoming refugees and newcomers isn’t new [...]
211 calls up in wake of Fort McMurray wild fires
Thousands of Fort McMurray evacuees have made their way to Calgary to escape the devastating fires in the Fort McMurray/Wood Buffalo region. Upon arrival, they [...]
Walk or run with the rising sun and support suicide prevention
At the unthinkable hour of 5am on May 9, 2015, 200 people huddled together shivering in the crisp, early morning air, each wearing [...]
Q&A with crisis line volunteer and ENMAX employee, Mike Becker
In November 2014, Mike Becker, Senior Manager of the Project Management Office for ENMAX, was looking for a volunteer opportunity. Through his research he found [...]
We love our monthly donors!
Four years ago, Simone Rousseau, a Realtor with Simone Rousseau & Associates with RE/MAX Real Estate (Central), received a call from one of her clients [...]
Falling in love in the crisis centre
Getting the bride and groom to kiss is a common and time-honoured wedding tradition. Usually this is done by tapping champagne glasses with flatware. At [...]
5 steps to help someone in distress
5 steps to help someone in distress The fight to end the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness has largely centered on talking. Awareness [...]
Distress Centre responds to CBC article on increased suicide rates in Alberta
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RE: Suicide rate in Alberta leaps 30% in wake of mass oilpatch layoffs December 8, 2015 Distress Centre would like to provide [...]
From volunteer to counsellor, Shehla Shukoor finds her home at Distress Centre
By Angela Danko When Shehla Shukoor moved to Calgary two years ago fresh off a Master’s degree in Social Work, she was in search of [...]
The 3rd Annual Outrun the Stigma a huge success!
Can you outrun the stigma? One runner has dressed up as "the stigma" for multiple events, inviting participants to literally outrun him. Hundreds of students, [...]
Distress Centre partners with Calgary’s emergency services to promote 211
Richard Hinse, Commander of Calgary's 911 Centre discusses the new partnership at a press conference at Calgary Police Service Headquarters on October 14, 2015. Distress [...]
Spending the summer with Distress Centre
Distress Centre was fortunate to have Angela Danko (pictured) assisting the Fund Development and Communications team this summer. My name is Angela Danko and I’m [...]
A day in the life of a Contact Centre Coordinator
CCC Jasminder Randhawa answering calls on the 211 lines. Author: Angela Danko There is no such thing as an ordinary day at work for a [...]
Distress Centre reaches out to Canada’s newcomers
Image via ThinkStock. The federal government estimates that in 2014 Canada welcomed over 240 000 permanent newcomers. Immigrants bring enrichment to our country in ways not limited [...]
Data for Good Calgary captures ten years of Distress Centre data
Geoff Zakaib presents some of the DataThon's findings during presentations held on May 31, 2015. Data for Good Calgary and Distress Centre Calgary teamed up [...]
ConnecTeen volunteer, Keeley Davidsen wins the Youth Central 2015 Youth of Distinction Award in the Peer Support category
Keeley Davidsen (left), ConnecTeen volunteer and winner of the 2015 YODA for Peer Support, with Jerilynn Daniels of RBC, the organization that sponsored the category. [...]