Editor’s note: The following is from the Vernon Crisis Line, which celebrates 40 years of service.
The Vernon Crisis Line is proud to be celebrating 40 years of continuous service – join the crisis line and help us to continue to serve the callers of the North Okanagan area for another 40 years!
Volunteering with the Crisis Line is a challenging and rewarding activity through which you can realize personal growth by helping others. It is a “perfect fit” for those who are planning a career or working in social work, counseling, education, patient care, criminology, emergency services and coaching.
The Crisis Line is a free, caring and confidential 24-hours a day, seven-day-a-week phone support and referral service.
Our trained volunteers answer calls providing:
n community referrals
n volunteers have access to a database with more than 700 community resources
n emotional support
n 40 per cent are mental health related
n 15 per cent are family/personal relationship related
n Three per cent are abuse related
n 3.5 per cent are substance abuse related
n Calls can also include financial, legal and shelter needs
n crisis interventions
n suicide calls make up less than six per cent of our total calls
We provide:
n 20 hours of classroom training
n Offered throughout the year generally over the course of two weekends
n Some of the topics covered include: crisis assessment and intervention, listening and questioning techniques, setting boundaries, and empowering others to help themselves.
n 20 hours of practicum one-on-one training
n Staff is available 24/7 to support volunteers
n Ongoing training
Shifts are usually four hours long and are available mornings, afternoons, evenings and overnight shifts.
Trainings are held throughout the year. For more information, please visit our web site at www.peopleinneed.ca/ or call our office at 250-545-8074.
