By Stacy Ashton
In the early days, crisis lines were a one-way affair: you’re in crisis, you call us. Every crisis call was seen as its own unique event.
Sometimes that’s how a crisis works, but there are also crises that unfold over days, weeks, or even months. Often a crisis is a gridlock of problems that have to be solved one by one in order to achieve stability. Your health is failing and your relationship is too, and you lost your job because you snapped at your boss, and also you’ve been drinking a lot, and maybe rent is going to be a problem this month.
When this is what’s happening, it’s best to address the crisis step by step. You know who’s good at doing that? A crisis line responder on the other end of a crisis line.
One awesome tool at our fingertips is the follow-up call.
You don’t have to be all better at the end of a call. We just want you to be safe. After you’ve had some sleep, another crisis line responder on another shift will call to see how you’re doing, review whatever ideas and referrals were discussed the night before, and remind you that you’ve got this. Because you do.
We’ll keep calling and reminding you of that until you’re back in control of your life.
Being there for someone isn’t a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing commitment to ensuring you’re okay. Crises come and go, but our care for people does not. We know you will make it through, and we’ll be there with you until you do.
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If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call:
- Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
- BC-wide Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code needed)