1-800-667-8407

Crisis Line program provides telephone crisis intervention services.  These services are available to people in crisis who are depressed or who are in emotional need.  Crisis Line progarm philosophy ecourages an approach to telephone crisis intevenion that communicates support and the exploration of meaningful options through the use of calm, non-judgement, and respectul tones and language.

The program delivers telephone intervention services to the entire East Kootenay region to people in crisis.  The program coordinator supports, supervises and manages volunteers in the establishment and maintenance of 24-hour schedules that ensure crisis line response capability at all times.  Crisis Line volunteers provide telephone crisis intervention services, safety options, pertinent resource information, and referral services.  Volunteers are taught crisis intervention communication techniques that utilize calm, non-judgemental, and respectful voice intonations and language intended to foster caller trust.  This cisis intervenion telephone service delivery incorporates if necessary, and with the client's permission, assistance with safety options.

Crisis Line Core Training includes 8 modules - Agency Orientation; Suicide Intervention; Role Playing; Crisis Line Policies and Procedures; Mental Health Awareness (Part 1 and Part 2); Cultural Awareness; and Public Relations.

Crisis Line has been in existence since the early 70's.   What started as a simple service with a few good-hearted people has turned into a program with a comprehensive training program and community safeguards in place.  The Crisis Line exists on the efforts of our wonderful volunteers.  Volunteers can live in any town or city in the East Kootenay and receive calls to their home.  All calls pass through an answering service, ensuring anonymity for the volunteer and client.  Volunteers are skilled at getting help to those in dire straits.

Crisis Line is a program of CMHA for the Kootenays.