We answer. We listen. We help.
Our formula for helping is simple and successful. We provide compassionate and accessible support for Albertans in distress. Whether they’re facing depression, financial concerns, relationship strain, anxiety, houselessness or thoughts of suicide, we are here to help and support those most vulnerable.
For many teens and adults, Distress Centre is one of the first organizations they contact to access the vital resources they need to maintain and improve their mental health and overall well-being. For over 50 years, we have provided empathetic, accessible and resiliency-based services focused on intervention and prevention. We recognize that individuals in distress often require support from multiple services. That’s why we partner with 18 community organizations, municipal services, and government agencies to ensure Albertans receive the right health, social, and government resources exactly when they need them. We are proud to be a leader in mental health and wellness support for Calgary and area, Southern Alberta and across Canada.
In 2023, Distress Centre responded to 144,663 connections
“I’ve called many times over the years. Sometimes very late at night, sometimes multiple times a day. Thank you for every call, for telling me about local services, for following up, and for encouraging me when I couldn’t see the way forward. Distress Centre made a difference in my life when I needed it most.” – Client
Our Programs – How We Do It
Crisis Services (Since 1970) – Highest investment need
Volunteers and staff provide 24/7 support to individuals and families in Southern Alberta facing elevated stress, mental health concerns, or crises. Distress Centre engages 250-400 volunteers annually, who complete our rigorous 60-hour training program, equipping them to intervene in high-risk situations.
Most common reasons for contacting: Anxiety, suicidal ideation, depressed mood, friend and family relationships, isolation, loneliness, and financial concerns.
ConnecTeen (Since 1983) – Highest investment need
Delivers peer support to youth by youth* who are facing heightened levels of stress, mental health challenges, or crises. Trained volunteers (age 15 – 24) deliver support across Calgary and prepared to intervene in high-risk situations.
Most common reasons for contacting: Anxiety, suicidal ideation, depressed mood, friend and family relationships, isolation, loneliness, and self-injury. *Youth Peer support is available from 3-10pm on weekdays and 12-10pm on weekends. Outside of peer hours, adult volunteers respond to connections.
Community Information Exchange (Launch 2024) – Highest investment need
Technology-driven, community-based collaboration that enables information sharing amongst multiple community services and health organizations. It aims to transform how nonprofits and health providers work together to collectively improve client well-being. The platform facilitates the sharing of individual client files, community resource data, and aggregate trends, helping partner organizations address current and future client needs, track shared sector outcomes, and identify emerging issues.
Coordinated Entry (Since 2013) – Highest investment need
Coordinated Entry operates out of SORCe, (Safe Communities Opportunity & Resource Centre), a multi-agency collaboration, based in one location, that helps overcome barriers to stable housing for individuals experiencing or at risk of houselessness. The program assists with system navigation, resource referrals, personalized housing plans, diversion housing strategies, ID replacement, financial coaching, and support with taxes to address financial instability.
DCC Knowledge Hub (Since 2023) – Highest investment need
3-year research partnership with the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work to produce evidence-based, and cost-effective, practices to enhance and optimize Distress Centre’s crisis response services, with a specific focus on providing appropriate support to marginalized communities. Findings will be published and shared with crisis response centers across Canada to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency on a national scale.
Benefiting organizations include: Crisis centres, suicide prevention hotlines, domestic violence shelters, newcomer support services, LGBTQIA2S+ helplines, and many more.
DCC Training (Since 2021)- Available for bookings
DCC Training equips participants with essential skills and knowledge to support employees, coworkers, clients, or anyone facing mental health challenges, distress, or requiring intervention. It provides tools to confidently navigate difficult conversations, fostering a healthier workplace environment and culture.
Training modules: Introduction to Crisis Intervention, Mental Health and Addictions, Domestic Violence, Grief and Loss, Youth Issues.
211 Alberta (Since 2005)
Helps Albertans find the right community, social, health and government resource(s) or service(s) for their needs, at the right time. Mainly used as a comprehensive information and referral system.
Most common for contacting: Information referrals, basic income and financial assistance programs, emergency food and shelter, housing, and counselling referrals.
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline (Since 2017)
Distress Centre is a 9-8-8 partner and part of the network of crisis lines across Canada, that provides urgent, live support for anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know.
911 Call Diversion (Since 2022)
Partnership with Calgary Police Services, where non-life threatening and non-criminal 911 calls are redirected to Distress Centre’s 211 service for appropriate response. The partnership was designed to support individuals who call 911 to address a concern, but there is no need for a police response. Our collective goal is to provide an enhanced response so Calgarians get the right support, in the right place, at the right time, while optimizing municipal resources.
Most common reasons for accessing: Housing support, welfare status, domestic inquiries, mental health and addiction concerns, child custody questions.
Crisis Counselling (Since 1970)
Short-term crisis counselling (typically 1-6 sessions) to individuals, families or couples needing assistance to de-escalate complex issues and/or crises. Initial sessions are usually scheduled within 5 days of receiving a self-referral or agency referral, with emergency and evening appointments available.
Most common reasons for accessing: Anxiety, depression, relationships and employment concerns.
Basic Needs Fund (Since 2008)
Emergency, one-time, financial support to individuals and families in Calgary struggling with a financial crisis, that could lead to life-altering events, such as eviction, utility disconnection or educational disruption. The Basic Needs Fund provides relief with a one-time payment to remedy an immediate need and move beyond the crisis.
Most common reasons for accessing: Damage deposits, rent and utility payments.
Familiar Voices – Pilot Project
Familiar Voices clients depend on Distress Centre’s 24/7 services regularly due to heightened needs and complex mental health challenges. This pilot is designed to offer specialized support by connecting them with a member of the Distress Centre’s counselling team to proactively work toward long-term health, social, and economic goals. The goal is to reduce their reliance on 24/7 services, ensuring they remain available for short-term crisis support.
“Overcoming my recent mental health battles is my life’s greatest achievement. I didn’t struggle in isolation because I had Distress Centre. This service is incredibly important—not just to me, but to our entire community.” – Client and monthly donor
Our Requests – What You Can Do
Distress Centre Calgary is seeking investments of various sizes. We encourage all donors to support Distress Centre’s programmatic, operational, and innovative work by contributing unrestrictive gifts. This approach grants us the flexibility to decide when and where revenue can be used most effectively, and without disruption, to meet the community’s needs, as they change year over year.
We would be honoured to discuss custom stewardship and recognition opportunities in appreciation of your support.
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