Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region

Posted on Friday, October 19th, 2018

Volunteer Position Title: Volunteer Crisis Line Responder
Volunteer Time Frame: posted until January 1, 2022

Contact Name and Email: Leslie Scott at lscott@dcottawa.on.ca
Telephone: (613) 238-1089
Event Address: P.O. Box 3457, Station C, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4J6
Website: www.dcottawa.on.ca

Mission: The Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region plays a key role in establishing a community where individuals in need are supported and empowered to meet life’s challenges.
Working within the continuum of mental health services, the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region contributes to a healthier and safer community by providing suicide prevention, crisis intervention, psychological stabilization, emotional support, information, referral and education services, without judgement, to individuals in need.

Volunteer Position Description: We support people in varying degrees of distress or crisis who are experiencing a wide range of problems including, but not limited to: suicidal ideations, abuse or violence, mental or physical illness, bereavement, addictions, sexuality and interpersonal problems, youth-related issues, unemployment and more.

Our volunteer Crisis Line Responders are trained in active listening techniques, communication skills, crisis intervention and suicide prevention/intervention techniques. They help clients assess their own situations, establish goals and priorities, and link callers to pertinent resources in the community, if needed.

Training: The Distress Centre’s award-winning volunteer training course (compulsory for all volunteers before answering calls) allows our volunteers to:

  • Provide callers who are in crisis or distress with immediate emotional support, in response to urgent needs
  • Work collaboratively with callers
  • Communicate genuine concern for each caller
  • Be accepting of the feelings the caller may have and supportive of their decisions
  • Be encouraging and empowering with callers
  • Share knowledge of community resources to allow the caller to be aware of all possible options
  • Follow the direction of professional staff in reference to callers who require a specific management program

Must Knows
At all times, our volunteer Crisis Line Responders are required to adhere to the policies of the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region, particularly where confidentiality is concerned. Our policy states, in part “The service provided at the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region is offered on the understanding that callers’ rights to confidentiality will be respected by all volunteers and staff”.

Volunteer Crisis Line Responders agree that they will:

  • Respond to callers using a non-judgmental, unbiased & non-directive approach
  • Be responsible for the shifts (4 hours in length) assigned to them (failure to report for shifts may result in dismissal)
  • Attend in-service educational training when offered
  • Never breach the confidentiality of a call or disclose the location of the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region to anyone

Volunteer Requirements:

  • Police Record Check
  • Minimum 19 Years of Age
  • Training Required

How to Apply: If interested, please visit our website at www.dcottawa.on.ca.


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