No One Should Face Crisis Alone!
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 55 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 2024, Distress Centre responded to 164,780 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
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 individuals experiencing or at risk of houselessness overcome barriers to stable housing. 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.
“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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