Uncertain times for crisis line

For more than 37 years, it has helped individuals with personal issues, and now the Crossroads Crisis Centre may be facing its own crisis.

Following a recent announcement of funding cutbacks for mental health services by the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), the Comox Valley organization is faced with the potential closure of its 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year telephone crisis line.

“The folks who use our line — whether it is for five minutes, 30 minutes or an hour — need the help to get through the moment, and that’s not going to be here anymore,” said Crossroads spokesperson Bev Miller. “It’s a huge loss we’re facing.”

VIHA has indicated to Crossroads its funding will cease by March 2010 by what Miller describes as “budget cuts.” Six other crisis centres that operate crisis lines across Vancouver Island will also be affected.

VIHA provides the most significant amount of funding for the centre. Other funding comes from gaming grants, the United Way and other organizations.

Recently, the centre received a Canada Post grant, which had to be returned following the funding cutback announcement, said Miller.

“VIHA wants a general 1-800 crisis line. It might be for the Island or even for the entire province. We screen, de-escalate and manage individual calls and work back and forth with mental health and crisis intervention nurses. Can a general line based from a call centre do that?” she asked.

During the past year, Crossroads received more than 6,000 calls to the crisis line, with 29 calls needing further aid from emergency services personnel.

The line is staffed solely by more than 45 volunteers who go through an intensive training period, offering after-hours, weekend and holiday followup and support for mental health clients, often averting emergency room visits.

One volunteer who wished to remain anonymous due to the confidential nature of the work said it will be nearly impossible for a general line to provide detailed, personal services.

“It’s unlikely in the long run this is going to save money. More calls will be directed to emergency response personnel, which will tie them up,” she added. “The crisis line really fills in a lot of blanks.”

Miller said the centre will continue to look for other sources of funding but admits “every non-profit organization is looking for funding. It’s a sense of getting lost in the shuffle.”

She said the Crossroads board of directors will have to decide whether to stay open as a crisis centre and if the line or a portion of it will remain operational and what the associated costs will be.

“Crossroads is in a bit of a crisis ... it’s just really sad.”

Miller is encouraging members of the community to write letters to Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon or to call the centre at 250-338-0512 for other ways to help.

photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com

+More News Headlines
<Back to Mobile Edition