Category: Updates

Posted May 3rd, 2023 by Lina Moskaleva 

Teaching kids about mental health and emotional well-being is one of the most important things we can do in preparing them to navigate the ups and downs of life. Pear Tree School is one of Vancouver’s schools prioritizing topics of mental health for their students and recruiting the Crisis Centre’s Self-Care for Mental Health Workshop to help. 

Part of the school’s teaching philosophy is to combine different subjects into themes, relate them to real-world issues, and present the theme topics to students in modules. During the “Local Crisis” theme, one of the modules was about mental health. The students were encouraged to reflect on their own experiences while being aware of the challenges other people in the city are facing.

After the module ended, the teachers heard from the students a desire to learn more about mental health topics.

 

“So many students are struggling to some degree and they’re trying to figure out how to regulate and manage and cope,” said Katelyn Jmaeff, Pear Tree School’s Grade 7/8 Teacher. “We need to equip them with skills, create a space to share, and make sure they know that they’re not alone.”

 

The school invited different speakers, including the Crisis Centre’s Self Care for Mental Health Workshop volunteers, to have dialogues with the kids about mental health. “The project made us see how many great organizations there are in Vancouver and that there are community members that want to support the students,” said Jordyn Garinger, Pear Tree School’s Grade 5/6 Teacher.

The Self-Care for Mental Health Workshop introduces the kids to the continuum of mental health. The workshop helps students to discuss topics such as what mental health is, how to take care of it, and why boundaries and limits are important. By the end of the workshop, each student has their own personalized “self-care plan” that includes the available support resources.

 “The volunteers were personable and willing to share their stories, which made the kids feel comfortable talking about mental health,” reflected Garinger. “They created a safe space through their positivity, friendliness, and openness.”

 

According to the teachers and the students themselves, the workshop made a significant impact by working with the kids through complex topics. “The Crisis Centre did a great job of bringing in the topic of suicide; we can’t shy away from it,” said Garinger. “We need to teach kids what signs to look for and where they can go for support, but ideally we need to help them know how to deal with their mental health and how to help their friends too.”

The students also enjoyed the discussion about what self-care means, how it can be different for everyone, and how it can change over time. One of the Grade 5 students, Ethan, said his biggest takeaway from the workshop was “how there are so many ways to help with your mental health and caring for yourself!”

To help the kids process everything they had learned in a creative way, the students had a chance to create ceramic sculptures based on a mental health topic of their choosing and display them at a local art gallery, Visual Space.

“The students were initially very modest about the project – ‘our work in a gallery?’ – but then they became involved in the planning of the exhibition as time went on,” said Garinger. The school invited a group from the Crisis Centre’s Community Learning and Engagement team, including the volunteers who lead the workshop with the students, to the exhibit.

The exhibition was packed with students, families, and teachers, each student standing proudly beside their work. The sculptures were abstract, giving the students a chance to incorporate complex meanings into their art and share them with the visitors. “They felt proud that their voices were being heard and that they could be open about talking about good mental health and struggles,” said Garinger. 

“I felt so hopeful hearing the students talking about these topics with such awareness and enthusiasm; it’s so great to see the positive impacts of mental health education,” says Lana Konopljova, Crisis Centre’s Youth Program Coordinator. “It means we are setting a healthy knowledge foundation for the kids and normalizing talking and caring about mental health.” 

The school plans to incorporate mental health and soft skills as core components of education. Garinger and Jmaeff said they are committed to continuing check-ins and open dialogues with the students about mental health and making sure they know about the resources available to them. “It’s like learning a new language,” said Jmaeff. “We all need to understand what the terms mean and have tangible actions we can do to help ourselves and others.”

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The students took some time to reflect on some of their biggest takeaways and most memorable moments from the workshop and art project:

Evan (Grade 6): “My biggest takeaway from the Crisis Centre Workshop is that if you have mental health struggles there is always help”.

Jacob (Grade 6): “The amount of people who have mental health issues that don’t tell people was my biggest takeaway because if someone does share their mental health issues it’s a very big deal for them and some people don’t think it’s hard at all but it is.”

Ethan (Grade 5): “How there’re are so many ways to help with your mental health and caring for yourself!”

Heidi (Grade 7): “My biggest takeaway from the self care workshop was that it’s really important to take care of yourself. You need to make sure you take care of yourself or worse things could happen. I really liked showing my mum all the work I did, it makes me proud seeing the finished product. I liked learning more about mental health, how we can help, etc. My biggest take away from the module was that you can’t always tell when someone is struggling with their mental health. You don’t always see what really goes on. Your not inside their brain you can never know what they are thinking even if they have a smile on their face.”

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If you are interested in bringing the Self-Care for Mental Health Workshop to your school, please complete the workshop request form.

This single-session 70 to 90-minute workshop is offered for youth in grades 6 to 12, and is free for schools and organizations within BC. In-person workshops are available in Vancouver, Burnaby and North Vancouver.

Posted March 21st, 2023 by Lina Moskaleva 

Vancouver, BC – The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC (Crisis Centre of BC) expresses deep concern about the findings of the IPCC Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report regarding the effects of climate change on mental health.

As a member of the BC Crisis Line Network that serves people across British Columbia, we know that climate change is already having a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of British Columbians.

According to the report, climate change exacerbates pre-existing mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, who are already at a greater risk of experiencing mental health problems, including Indigenous peoples, people with a low-income, and those living in rural or remote places. Climate change also leads to an increase in the incidence of extreme weather events, natural disasters, and displacement, which can cause significant psychological distress, trauma, and grief.

“The IPCC report makes it clear that the effects of climate change on mental health are significant and cannot be ignored,” states Stacy Ashton, executive director of the Crisis Centre of BC. “We need to recognize that mental health is an essential part of our response to the climate crisis, and we must prioritize it in our actions and policies.”

Everyone needs to keep their mental health as a priority during climate change emergencies. Here are some tips to help cope:

1. Connect with others: Reach out to friends, family, and community members for support. Sharing your concerns and feelings can help alleviate stress and anxiety.
2. Practice self-care: Take care of your physical health by getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating healthy food. Engage in activities that bring you joy, such as reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature.
3. Limit exposure to distressing news: While it’s important to stay informed about climate change, exposure to constant distressing news can be overwhelming and lead to feelings of hopelessness and anxiety. Limit your exposure to news and social media and take breaks when needed.
4. Seek professional help: If you are experiencing significant distress or mental health problems, contact a mental health professional or crisis center for support.
5. Take action: Addressing climate change can give you a sense of purpose and control, which can be empowering and make a positive impact on your mental well-being.

The Crisis Centre of BC is committed to supporting people in need of support during times of crisis. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out:

• Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code required)
• Anywhere in BC 1800SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433

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Contact

Jeffrey Preiss, Director, Communications & Development
jpreiss@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Stacy Ashton, Executive Director
sashton@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Posted February 1st, 2023 by Lina Moskaleva & Stephanie Quon

Skills and knowledge are the superpowers we need to help us tackle any of life’s challenges. The Crisis Centre of BC is helping to ensure all youth have access to the mental health knowledge and tools necessary for them to be well and stay well by launching MindFlip: Brain Science Tools for Everyday Living. This free, online program provides youth with information and tools to learn how to manage difficult emotions by developing our ability to respond mindfully in challenging situations.

 For the past eight years, the Crisis Centre of BC has offered an in-person program that provided young people with tools for managing life’s ups and downs. Feedback for these programs was exceptionally positive, though the programs themselves were limited in geographical reach and capacity due to challenges in scheduling. This inspired the creation of MindFlip: Brain Science Tools for Everyday Living, a learning program developed by youth for youth that could be available to schools and youth throughout the province.

Lu Ripley, Director of the Centre’s Community Learning and Engagement team, says that the program “shares practical tools and information with young people in a way that is digestible, easy to access, and relatable.” 

MindFlip is a self-paced, youth-friendly online program with four core modules. Geared towards youth in late elementary and secondary school, topics include brain science and skills for mental fitness, emotional regulation and awareness of our thoughts and emotions, self-awareness and self-compassion, and mindful tools to deal with stress and life challenges.

 Available free of charge, each of the four modules can be taken in full or bite-size portions, facilitated by an adult or taken independently, and the content can be revised at learners’ convenience. Sessions utilize videos, interactive content, and guided practices.

Youth were integral in the development of the modules from start to finish. Five youths were consulted on information to include in the program and the look and feel of the modules. In the program itself, interviews with youth are included to feature their voices, opinions and experiences. Engaged throughout the entire process, youth were also involved in filming the modules and writing the scripts. “I really liked being part of developing MindFlip – filming, branding and developing something that I think is really useful for youth.” says Quinn, one of the youth involved in the development. 

One West Vancouver school reviewed the program recently and reported the benefits and ease of use. “Our class is LOVING MindFlip. I am doing it during snack time in little pieces….very meaningful and lots of places to pause and talk and absorb.”  Teacher, West Vancouver School District

In the future, MindFlip will be offered as a free resource for schools. “The first rollout of the program will be to schools, through teachers and school counsellors,” shares Ripley. “Our goal is to provide a flexible and practical program that is relatable to young people. Based on feedback from schools and youth, we aim to build and grow the program.”

School staff, parents, or youth who are interested in taking the MindFlip program, can request it by filling out this form.

If you or someone you know is aware of an agency or school that would benefit from MindFlip, please reach out to the Crisis Centre to see how this program can be utilized to build capacity within your school or organization by emailing info@crisiscentre.bc.ca.

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If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out:

• Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code required)
• Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433

Posted December 22nd, 2022 by Lina Moskaleva & Stephanie Quon 

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The Crisis Centre of BC is dedicated to preparing future helping professionals to be knowledgeable about suicide intervention and prepared to respond skillfully in crisis situations . This includes skills and confidence to recognize suicidal thoughts, speak directly about suicide, and help ensure safety by building a person’s connection to resources in their community.  

An example of how the Crisis Centre is doing this is a recent partnership with Douglas College’s Therapeutic Recreation program. This program prepares graduates to use leisure activities to support the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of individuals.  An instructor from the program reached out to the Crisis Centre in the Spring of 2022 with the idea of developing a course in  suicide response training to be part of the program curriculum that would allow both in person and online students to participate. The first iteration of the course was recently wrapped up.

“The  Crisis Centre of BC was very responsive to my inquiry and together we designed a format for delivery for students in on-line and in-person undergrad programs” says Janice Spencer, TR faculty instructor. “The content from the Crisis Centre is well paced and practical. Students have increased knowledge and competence about suicide awareness and response and they now have a strong connection to the Crisis Centre in their future professional practice.”

Lu Ripley, Director of the Centre’s Community Learning & Engagement team, shares: “We want future human services leaders to be able to respond to suicide. It can be challenging for many to talk about suicide, and this curriculum makes space for students to reflect on their attitudes and feelings, and how this also might fit into their cultural experiences.”

The course developed for the Douglas College Therapeutic Recreation program begins with an online asynchronous portion, followed by an in-person or virtual synchronous portion. The online portion includes a discussion about how the stigma surrounding suicide impacts both people in the helping professions  and people with thoughts of suicide. The course goes on to teach students how to recognize signs of suicidal ideation, the importance of starting direct conversations about suicide, and how to connect individuals with other resources that can help build safety. Finally, the online portion concludes with an opportunity for the students to reflect on their own feelings and attitudes concerning suicide.

The individual portion is run synchronously in-person or virtually and includes a question and answer period, practice scenarios, and a case study.

The feedback on the training has been exceptionally positive:50 percent of students rated it a ten out of ten on usefulness, with the other 50 percent giving an eight or a nine rating. Students reported that the combination of the asynchronous and synchronous portions had been helpful for learning how to apply their skills by having an opportunity to reflect on the content during the recorded session and practice during the live session. As one student stated, “It was a useful module because it gave me confidence and understanding in how we can respond [to suicide thoughts] and how to provide resources.”

“The training was economical and easy to insert into the curriculum, and we are hoping to learn from this to expand it to other programs like Nursing and Child and Youth Care,” says Ripley who wants to expand the collaboration to include other programs at Douglas College, as well as other colleges.

If you or someone you know is aware of an agency or school that would benefit from suicide response training, please email clecoordinator@crisiscentre.bc.ca to see how our wide spectrum of trainings can be utilized to build capacity within your school or organization.

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If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out:

• Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code required)
• Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433

Posted August 18th, 2022

Heat and the threat of wildfires are causing British Columbians increased anxiety and worry, leading to more calls being made to 1-800-SUICIDE and the province-wide mental health support line, 310-6789.

“Calls to the mental health crisis line and suicide intervention line increase during heatwaves,” says Asha Croggon of the BC Crisis Line Network. “We saw an increase last year during the heat dome and the devastating wildfires, and we are seeing it happen again this year. Depending on the severity and intensity of the situation, increases are between 10 to 25 per cent, depending on the region. This is in addition to the increased call volume and complexity of calls since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Rural and remote communities are especially impacted by the recurring threats from heatwaves and wildfires as they try to cope with the trauma caused by last year’s wildfire that ravaged the Village of Lytton and other areas of BC. The support provided by crisis lines to these communities is crucial.

During extreme weather events, people reach out to crisis lines to navigate their mental health because these events can be a tipping point in people’s wellness. “People feel more isolated, anxious, and overwhelmed. They’re feeling frayed, and climate change issues feel so much bigger than what they can take on, so their resources and coping strategies are shrinking, and relationships are feeling the strain,” Croggon explains. “The biggest resource crisis lines provide is listening, which might seem passive but being truly heard can de-escalate the situation and then we can work collaboratively with the caller to create a self-care plan.” Depending on the caller’s location, crisis line responders are also preparing the callers for upcoming evacuation notices and supporting them through their evacuation plan if a notice was already issued.

Crisis line volunteers and staff responders are under significant pressure from the increases in call volume and complexity, as well as going through the challenges of the pandemic, wildfires and the extreme weather events themselves. “We have an approach within crisis lines: How we do something is just as important as what we do. If our own people are burning out tending to the wellness and safety of others, then we are working at cross purposes with our mission,” says Croggon. BC crisis lines have initiated additional counselling support for volunteers and staff, as well as debriefing and training opportunities, and volunteers and staff are encouraged to take breaks whenever they are needed.

“There are many reasons why people reach out to crisis lines – we’re always grateful that they do.” Whether you are struggling with issues related to the current heat or wildfires in BC, crisis lines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The BC Crisis Line Network, comprised of 10 local crisis centres from around BC, answers calls to 1-800-SUICIDE, 310-6789 Mental Health, and regional distress lines. The centres provide lifesaving crisis de-escalation services, suicide risk assessment, and strengths-based collaborative safety planning and follow-up.

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS
BC CRISIS LINE NETWORK

Stacy Ashton, Crisis Centre of BC
Asha Croggon, Interior Crisis Lines
Elizabeth Newcombe, Vancouver Island Crisis Society
Thaddée Bergler, Fraser Health Crisis Line
Riley Skinner, Northern BC Crisis Centre

MEDIA CONTACT

Stacy Ashton
Executive Director
Crisis Centre of BC
sashton@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Jeffrey Preiss
Director, Development and Communications
jpreiss@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Posted July 12th, 2022

By: Lina Moskaleva

Have you ever been through a devastating breakup, received a warning letter at work, or had a family member die? Have you had a debilitating flare-up of a chronic pain condition, a dark spiral of negative self-talk, or a realization that you will soon need to retire? Have you had to wait for an evacuation order as a forest fire was spreading closer to your community? Experienced a hostile interaction? Failed a class in school?

People in these — or any other difficult and overwhelming situations — can find the support they need by calling a crisis line.

The term “crisis” gets used frequently, but is rarely defined. So what is a personal crisis? 

Crisis happens when the level of pain and distress a person is experiencing outweighs the effectiveness of their resources and coping strategies. This can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. 

A crisis can be sparked by any of life’s many stressors, regardless of whether they are ongoing or singular, internal or external. The stressors we encounter can cause us to feel confused, afraid, or guilty and can lead to an experience of crisis if our normal solutions and supports fail to help us cope with the situation.

Crisis is both a state of mind and a state of being so we feel its effects in a myriad of ways. We may go into fight-or-flight mode or freeze and be unable to move or think. We may feel hopeless, disoriented, agitated, distraught, numb, or angry, sometimes switching between feelings at the drop of a hat. Our perceptions can become altered and our memories distorted. It can be difficult to think straight and may feel as though our world has been turned upside down. Our actions and words may confuse or frustrate those around us.

Experiencing a crisis doesn’t necessarily mean you are also experiencing a mental illness. Anyone can be in crisis, including people who have psychiatric illnesses, those with mental health issues, and those who are generally healthy but find themselves in a difficult situation. 

A personal crisis can be a major turning point in someone’s life. Crucially — if the person doesn’t receive proper support — these acute events can trigger a cascade of compounding negative circumstances. Crisis begets crisis and situations can spiral out of control, putting the person further into precarity and making it that much harder to find a resolution.

During this time, what we need is for someone to recognize that we are in crisis, listen to us, and guide us back to feeling stable.

Just one phone call with a responder from one of the BC crisis lines can turn things around for someone in crisis. The crisis responder can help the caller get clarity about their situation, map out their resources, and — when they’re ready — make a plan for the next steps, all while offering warm and compassionate support. The crisis line responders can even provide follow-up phone calls; the work of crisis lines is not only emergency response, but also prevention of crisis escalation.

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Crisis lines are available across British Columbia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know needs help, please call:

• 1-800-SUICIDE
• 310-6789 (mental health crisis line)

Posted January 12th, 2022

By Oliver Lum with files from Monika Wodzianek

We experienced many natural disasters in British Columbia in 2021, and predictions about the future seem to indicate more will come our way.

Whether you are struggling with issues concerning your mental health or have been affected by flooding and wildfires, crisis lines across BC are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

During recent floods, heatwaves, forest fires, and exceptional cold, our volunteers aided British Columbians with information about emergency shelters and services and ensured that the people they connected with felt heard and supported.

“During any kind of natural disaster involving displacement, folks separated from one another, loss of property and livelihood, a whole raft of emergency services come into play. That’s excellent, and it’s also confusing if your whole life has turned upside down. What we’re specifically able to do is help people pinpoint and address their most current need, while scanning for emotional distress and suicide risk factors,” says Stacy Ashton, Executive Director of the Crisis Centre of BC. “We’re keenly aware it’s often easier to test the waters with a practical request, but with some empathy, you can quickly build the trust needed for someone to tell you their level of pain or fear or despair they might actually be experiencing.”

Crisis lines in BC work directly with the Health Emergency Management team at the Provincial Health Services Authority to make sure anyone working with people impacted by natural disasters are trained to recognize signs of mental distress and suicide. “We’re trying to up-skill call takers on other lines so that they know what looks like apathy or rage could be a sign of suicide, and that they can ask us to make outreach calls to folks they are worried about. This gives them practical skills that increase their confidence and compassion on the lines, and a concrete way to connect people to immediate help,” said Ashton.

It’s impossible to ignore the correlation between the recent disasters and the increase in call volume. The last three months of 2021 broke all previous records for the number of calls, peaking in October with over 9,000 inbound calls, almost double that of the previous October.

“When a natural disaster happens, such as a pandemic, the general anxiety level of the population increases, and that makes people with anxiety disorders even more vulnerable,” says Ashton. “Calls with folks we talk to regularly become more complex, more crisis-oriented, and more frequent because they have more anxiety to begin with. There is an increase in first-time callers and an increase in callers who we’ve been supporting long-term.”

Due to the increase in calls and connections being made, the crisis network resources have been limited, and people are unfortunately not getting the immediate attention that volunteers like to provide. “Which is completely unacceptable,” according to Ashton. “But that’s the limit of the resources we have right now.” 

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call:

• Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
• Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789
• Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311
• Online Chat Service for Youth: www.YouthInBC.com (Noon to 1am)
• Online Chat Service for Adults: www.CrisisCentreChat.ca (Noon to 1am)

Posted August 31st, 2021

Who do British Columbians trust when they need crisis mental health support? We engaged InsightsWest to conduct an omnibus survey of British Columbians on the theme of trust as it relates to mental health crisis support.

Overall, British Columbians rated their local crisis line, the Provincial 1-800-SUICIDE line, the 310-6789 Mental Health line, and the 811 Nurse’s line as their most trusted resources in a mental health crisis, with each of these lines receiving the trust of over 80% of survey respondents. Trust in 911 and the Emergency Room was not far behind, with 75% of British Columbians trusting these resources in a mental health crisis.

The story changes when we take people’s ratings of their own current mental health into account. Almost half (44%) of all people who rated their mental health as poor would be unwilling to call 911 during a mental health crisis. 

In contrast, 72% of people who rated their mental health as good or excellent would trust their local crisis line. Further breakdowns of trust in resources amongst those with poor mental health include:

• 310-6789 Mental Health Support Line (68% trust)
• 811 – Nurses Line (67% trust)
• Emergency Room/Urgent Care or 1-800-SUICIDE Line (tied at 63% trust) 
• 211 – Information & Referral Line (49% trust)

Supporting those who need our help the most means offering services that people trust even when they’re feeling at their worst. A key fear for people who are in mental health crises is being taken to hospital against their will.

Both the local crisis line responders and the 1-800-SUICIDE and 310-6789 Mental Health Support Line responders work with callers to build safety plans that do not require police response or hospitalization. A full 98% of calls are resolved on the phone. Of the 2% that do require an intervention, half of those are with the full consent and cooperation of the caller. These calls take time, patience, and specialized crisis support skills.

Crisis centres across BC are vital to mental health crisis support. We are able to take the time that 911 cannot. Demand for our services remains high as the impact of COVID-19 on our mental health continues. While our current survey showed the overall mental health of British Columbians is better than last summer, we are still well below pre-COVID wellbeing numbers: 74% of those surveyed indicated good or excellent mental health compared to 61% last August and 85% pre-pandemic.

Incoming call volume to the Crisis Centre of BC hasn’t declined; in fact, over the past few months we have had some of the highest incoming call numbers since the pandemic began.

 

On September 10, 2021, World Suicide Prevention Day provides a unique opportunity to engage in a conversation about mental health crisis support in BC. There were 609 deaths by suicide in BC last year (down from 652 in 2019 – BC Coroners Service Suicide Data). Ensuring trust in the services provided is key to suicide prevention and ensuring mental health crisis support.

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If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call:

• Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311
• Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
• Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789
• Online Chat Service for Youth: www.YouthInBC.com (Noon to 1am)
• Online Chat Service for Adults: www.CrisisCentreChat.ca (Noon to 1am)

MEDIA CONTACT

Stacy Ashton, Executive Director
sashton@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Jeffrey Preiss, Director, Development and Communications
jpreiss@crisiscentre.bc.ca

 

BACKGROUND

The Crisis Centre of BC is dedicated to providing help and hope to individuals, organizations, and communities. We offer:

• Immediate access to barrier-free, non-judgemental, and confidential support as well as follow-up through our 24/7 phone lines and online services.
• Education and training programs that promote mental wellness and equip schools, organizations, and communities to assist people at risk of suicide.

Additional Data Insights

When it comes to trust, the age of the caller matters. Only 61% of those aged 18-34 trust 911 services, while older British Columbians have a higher level of trust. Consistently, trust in suicide prevention and mental health crisis lines in BC averages 84% to 86%.

Data collected on Insight West’s BC Omnibus:

Results based on an online study conducted from August 18-20, 2021 among a representative sample of 830 adults in British Columbia. The margin of error for this data —which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies between totals are due to rounding.

Media release: World Suicide Prevention Day – 2021

Posted July 26th, 2021

By: Stacy Ashton

Crisis services in BC are not set up to meet the scale of the need in our communities. We are able to handle half as many calls and chats as needed, and that’s without marketing our lines to the 17% of British Columbians (based on a 2019 survey) who don’t know crisis lines exist. In a similar situation is 911: during the heatwave, 911 also couldn’t answer all their incoming calls.

The Crisis Centre of BC answered 43,269 calls and chats from people in distress in 2020/21. That’s a number worth celebrating.

We weren’t able, however, to answer another 39,793 calls. Some of those calls went to our overflow voicemail, and if the caller was able to leave a message, we called back. Some of those calls, made to1-800-SUICIDE or 310-6789 Mental Health, were redirected to a siblingcrisis centre in the province. Some callers hung up waiting for us to answer. Some chats didn’t get a reply.

When a person reaches out to a crisis centre, they are in crisis! The closest example to what it’s like might be dialing 911 — for that person, in their moment of crisis, there is an emergency that requires an immediate response. A crisis — like any natural disaster, medical emergency, or search and rescue operation — can’t be scheduled.

We celebrate the calls and chats we’ve been able to answer, but the weight of the calls and chats we can’t answer never leaves. For a truly accessible crisis system, let’s be measured and funded against the scale of the need.

Effective crisis response is available 24/7, on demand, and is easy to find when you need it. Managing crises well pays for itself, both in reduced suffering and reduced need for intensive mental health and police interventions.

We are able to de-escalate crisis situations 98% of the time without the need for further intervention from emergency services. This provides better care for those who reach out and decreases the need for emergency services to respond to situations that most often do not require them.

We have a good idea of the size of the need for crisis help in our community; it’s reflected in the total number of calls and chats that come in. The next step is to answer them.

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If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call:

• Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311
• Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
• Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789
• Online Chat Service for Youth: www.YouthInBC.com (Noon to 1am)
• Online Chat Service for Adults: www.CrisisCentreChat.ca (Noon to 1am)