By Thomas Golka
Hearing one person say, “I’m here for you” and providing emotional support has value. Having the ability to say, “We’re here for you” and offering life-saving services to an entire community is powerful.
Countless times over the past year we have been shown “the value of one, the power of many.” We have gained a deeper appreciation for these words that are driving National Volunteer Week from April 18th to the 24th.
Volunteering at the Crisis Centre of BC truly brings this theme to life.
Our unending mission has been to provide help and hope for individuals, organizations, and communities while being flexible enough to cover the full spectrum of crisis response, suicide prevention, and mental health support. Volunteering has been described as “the glue that holds a community together.” It’s definitely the glue that holds our work together.
There are plenty of opportunities for volunteers to gain transferable skills and provide meaningful contributions. Megan, a Distress Service volunteer, discovered the profound difference she could make through prioritizing human connections. Her approach to every call was: “We’re all on this journey together, we all go through crisis…. and every call is something that teaches you something about your own emotions.” Growing this type of mindset is a major benefit that volunteering at the Crisis Centre of BC can offer.
Volunteering can also lead to forming new friends, expanding your network, and improving social skills. It increases self-confidence and combats feelings of personal isolation while bringing a sense of fulfillment to your life.
Bringing a positive attitude, having hope, and possessing a willingness to learn are important traits for volunteering with the Crisis Centre of BC. Education and training is provided so that volunteers are properly equipped for any scenario they might encounter, from administrative support and leading workshops online or in the community, to answer calls and chats.
Currently, there are three dynamic ways available to contribute:
- Are you a compassionate individual, looking for a way to boost your ability to think critically? Our Volunteer Crisis Services Responders engage in robust training and ongoing supervision to ensure a 24-hour service is there for our community.
- Share wellness workshops on self-care and mental health online. Create the foundation for lifelong resilience as a Youth Educator.
- Play a pivotal role in expanding our brand through crafting stories, establishing relationships, or undertaking research as part of the Communications and Development team.
With added support we see a BC that has a coordinated crisis response, accommodating all community needs at any time of day. This complete vision will require time, but creating a culture of hope with a desire to make a real difference begins with inspired volunteers.
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If you or someone you know is struggling, especially with thoughts of suicide, reach out:
- 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)