The Prince George Crisis Centre, serving northern B.C., is now in crisis itself.
"We're in big trouble. We're so short of volunteers we can no longer operate 24 hours a day," said Verna MacLeod, executive director.
"We're now running 14 hours a day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. after being available round the clock for the past 40 years," said MacLeod who's now operating with 10 volunteers instead of the usual 20 or more.
"We need at least 10 good volunteers for our 24-hour support line who will commit to staying around for a year. It's not that great a commitment. We ask them to do one three to four-hour shift per week and one night shift every two months."
She is also seeking volunteers for the Youth Support Line, active from 4 to 11 p.m. daily, which is down to two.
"We have a new Online Chat Site for youth that is ready to go, but there is no one to operate it.," said MacLeod, explaining this is about chatting back and forth like e-mail or texting, which most youth are more comfortable with.
The centre also has a 1-800-SUICIDE line, but with no volunteers to operate it here, the calls are being referred to four other 1-800-SUICIDE centres in the province.
"We are getting a lot of feedback from people who are upset that we're not operating our crisis lines 24 hours a day," said MacLeod.
She noted would-be volunteers are intimidated by the thought of answering calls from people who may be in distress or even suicidal.
"They don't have to worry because they are fully trained before they ever pick up a phone."
Volunteers require 60 hours of training including two full week ends and the cost is $75 which is refunded to those fulfilling their one-year commitment.
The next training session is set for Feb. 19, 20 and 21 and Feb. 26, 27 and 28. Apply at the centre located on the fifth floor at the Native Friendship Centre, call program co-ordinator Julia Datoff at 250-564-5736 or go online at www.northernbccrisissuicide.ca.
The training itself has proven to be worth its weight in gold with many volunteers using it to find employment, having better communication with friends and family -- especially teenagers, and using it to enter other careers.
"Two recent volunteers are now in the Northern Medical Program. Two others, using references from this centre, are going into the medical field and another is ready for an interview.
"References from the Crisis Centre really helps them in their career journey," MacLeod said.
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FACT BOX
**In 2008 the Crisis Centre received 4,169 crisis calls including 1,089 on the 1-800-SUICIDE line.
The majority were single female callers between the ages of 50 and 59 years and 30 and 39 years.
The largest number of calls were received between 7 and 8 p.m. with the major issues being mental and emotional health (37.6 %), personal concerns(11.8 %), physical health (10.5 %) and suicide(7.2%).
**In 2008 the Youth Support Line received 234 crisis calls. The majority were single male callers who were not youth. Major concerns were mental and emotional health (18.8 %), personal concerns (17.9 %), and suicide (2.5 %). Other concerns including prank calls accounted for 38.4 %.
**Main referrals from the centre went to other B.C. crisis lines, Mental Health, B.C. Nurseline; local shelters; after hours social worker, RCMP, and Alcohol and Drug information.
