Volunteer to be a Distress Line Listener 482-0198

Answer some really important phone calls and let someone who is hurting know you care.

Make a real difference in our community!

If you are a person who is looking for a unique challenge, thrives on developing new skills, enjoys people and variety, consider joining our volunteer team.

Our crisis line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to be available to individuals and families in distress. Without our highly skilled and caring volunteers, the Distress Line would not exist and over 1,500 calls per month would go unanswered -- that's more than 50 calls a day!

 

Volunteer Requirements

• entry by application, then interview
• 64 hours of training (offered 4 times per year)
• $50 materials fee collected on 1st night of training ($30 materials fee, $10 Edmonton Police Service Criminal Record Check fee, $10 refundable training CD deposit)
• oath of confidentiality
• security clearance and child welfare check
• minimum age: 18 years

 

Volunteers initially commit to a one year contract to work a minimum of 4 hours per week, which includes one midnight shift per month.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about volunteering on the Distress Line.

 

A 64 hour training program is offered to prepare volunteers operating the Distress Line. Our volunteers consistently rate our training as "Excellent".

 

Training sessions are held in January, May, September, and November. 

See the schedule for

• November 2007
• January 2008
• May 2008
• September 2008

Fill out the ONLINE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION.

Prospective volunteers submit an application and are interviewed prior to starting a training session.

 

Roles for Experienced Distress Line Volunteers

Telephone Follow-up Program

Experienced volunteers are involved in follow-up phone support for people in suicidal crisis. Training provided.

Youth One Crisis Support Team

Studies have shown that youth do not utilize distress phone lines as readily as adults. With the anonymity of being online, our chat room and moderated forums cater to youths' needs. Experienced volunteers may have the opportunity of joining the online Crisis Support Team. Training provided.

Distress Line Mentors

Experienced volunteers have the opportunity to assist in the orientation of new Distress Line volunteers. Training provided.

Distress Line Role Play Facilitators

Experienced volunteers have the opportunity to assist in the training of new Distress Line volunteers. Training provided.

Caregiver Support Program

Experienced volunteers may have the opportunity to be involved in support for caregivers of an individual at risk for suicide. Training provided.

Suicide Bereavement Program

Experienced volunteers may have the opportunity to provide face-to-face support, individually or in groups, for individuals grieving a suicide loss. Training provided.

 

Fill out the ONLINE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION.

Back to Volunteer Program  to connect to other volunteer roles.