By Pete McIntyre

Calls to Vernon crisis line increase 20 per cent since COVID outbreak

Apr 3, 2020 | 10:44 AM

Calls to the Vernon Crisis Line have increased substantially over the last few weeks, and one reason is the COVID-19 outbreak.

The service, which is run by the Canadian Mental Health Association as part of an Interior network, saw a 20 per cent jump in the week after the pandemic was declared.

Over the last two weeks of March, 25 per cent of calls were directly related to the coronavirus.

“It is reassuring that people are reaching out to us,” Julia Payson, executive director for Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Vernon and District Branch said. “It shows our efforts at fighting mental health stigma are working as people feel more comfortable reaching out to talk about their mental health. It also shows the immense need for mental health support in our community.”

The line is not only for those in crisis, and responders are ready and able to answer anyone who needs additional mental health support. The line can be accessed 24/7 by calling 1-888-353-CARE (2273) or by chatting online Thursday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. through the chat link here.

12 hectare blaze

Wildfire near Chase controlled

18h ago

Charger rollout

Phased approach planned for EV chargers at Vernon ALC

Apr 24, 2026

Secondary Dwellings

Coldstream considering more housing on agricultural lands

Apr 24, 2026

CMHA is expecting the increased demand to continue.

The service began tracking COVID-19 related calls on March 18 and now receives calls daily from community members needing emotional support along with information and resources associated with concerns about the virus.

“Social distancing has taken its toll on many, and we will be here for our community through this difficult time,” Payson said. “In addition to the stress of the current health crisis, people’s normal coping mechanisms have been interrupted. It’s critical right now that we continue to connect with each other, even while maintaining physical distance. We can be apart together.”

The Vernon Crisis Line has responded to increased calls over the past three years, and between April 2019 and March 2020, answered more than 7,600 calls.

As a network, all five sites of the Interior Crisis Line Network answered 23,291 calls in the 2019/2020 fiscal year.

The line operates 24/7 with professionally trained, compassionate volunteers and supportive staff. The most recent training was completed using virtual meetings to maintain physical distance while ensuring there were more people available to answer calls.

“We want our community members to know they are not alone. Our Crisis Line team is amazingly dedicated, continuing to show up shift after shift and keeping positive in the midst of this global pandemic,” Payson said.

“Just six weeks ago we had an opportunity to honour one of our Crisis Line volunteers who has been with us for five years. He has taken more than 1,000 calls and volunteered more than 1,300 hours of his time to helping others in the community with their mental health concerns,” she said.

The next Crisis Line training session takes place online July 13 to 17.

Contact support@cmhavernon.ca to apply or visit their website.

CMHA Vernon has set up a webpage noting changes to its services along with resources and tips for mental health and wellness here.

by Pete McIntyre

View Comments