Community Crisis Services

Crisis Management Help Line: 1-800-779-5057

Emergency: 911

An emotional or psychiatric crisis is a serious situation that has a major impact on a person’s life. People suffering from these crises may find that things that were once easy and enjoyable are now difficult and dull. Some people will suffer from extreme or dulled emotions, anxiety, depression, agitation, or abnormal behavior. Some people will even begin thinking about death and suicide. Emotional or psychiatric crises are serious situations, but timely intervention can greatly help in solving the problem and reducing its impact on the individual, family, and society.

Emotional and psychiatric crises can begin in a number of ways. Sudden, unsettling events such as major illnesses, crimes, or compromises in the stability of one’s life can all cause emotional difficulties. Crises can also originate from prolonged stress. Finding help with crises often helps individuals deal with these problems.

Knowing where to go when facing an emotional or psychiatric crisis can be difficult. In general, when you or someone else is considering immediate self-harm, the best thing to do is to call 911. When someone needs help dealing with a situation, or just needs somebody to talk to, help lines like the ones mentioned are the best choice. Even if you don’t know anyone who is involved in an emotional or psychiatric crisis it is a good idea to be educated about what services are available. The following organizations can be contacted for information regarding crises or for help:

Crisis Management Help Line: 1-800-779-5057
Community Mental Health Centre: 679-1241
Canadian Mental Health Association: 672-2570
St Mary's Hospital: 679-6131
Community Crisis Service: 911

Anyone who feels in need of help can find it through help lines. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to know whether someone else is in need of help. The following list includes a number of signs that may be related to serious crises:

• Feelings of worthlessness.
• Feeling alone, unloved, and a burden on others.
• Feelings of being misunderstood, and constantly judged.
• Feeling that things will not or cannot get better.
• Feelings of hopelessness.
• Feelings of anxiety and susceptibility to minor illnesses.
• Depression.
• Being especially sensitive to criticism, scared to make mistakes, and feeling unable to cope with pressure.
• Alarming changes in eating habits, sleep patterns, personal appearance, behavior or attitude.
• Lack of interest in activities.
• Especially high or low levels of energy.
• Unusual quietness or aggression.
• Interest in death or suicide.

• Increase in alcohol or drug use.
• Taking part in dangerous behavior.
• A sudden elated mood following a time of depression.
• Direct, serious talk of suicide.
• Forming specific plans for suicide.
• Making preparations for death.

Yellow Ribbon Program

1-800-273-8255

1-800-Suicide

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a suicide prevention program dedicated to preventing suicide. The program began through the efforts of the parents of Mike Emme after Mike took his own life during a period of depression. The program has existed since 1994.

The Yellow Ribbon Program prevents suicide in two major ways. First, it provides phone lines where people considering suicide can call to talk about it and solve their problems. Second, it actively educates communities about suicide through presentations and educational programs. The Camrose branch of the Yellow Ribbon Program has headed one major project each year since 1998.

If you or someone you know needs to talk about suicide, the Yellow Ribbon Program Help Line can be reached at either of the two numbers listed below:

• 1-800-273-8255
• 1-800-Suicide (1-800-784-2433)

The Camrose branch of the Yellow Ribbon Program also recommends the following crisis and helpline numbers:

• Healthlink Alberta: 1-866-408-5465
• Safe Kids Hotline: 1-877-385-5437
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
• Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642

• 2 out of every 3 teenagers will consider suicide before graduation.
• 1 in every 10 teenagers will attempt suicide before graduation.
• Between 1993 and 1996, there were 25 deaths by suicide in the City and County of Camrose.
• In Alberta, 5 people die from suicide every 4 days.
• Every year in Canada more than 3500 people die by suicide.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a non-profit organization that is run by volunteers and donations. If you would like to volunteer time, make a donation, or contact representatives of the Yellow Ribbon Program, the contact information of the organization and its Camrose branch are listed below.

• Camrose Suicide Awareness,
  Yellow Ribbon Suicide Awareness Committee
  c/o Camrose Boys and Girls Club
  4516 - 54 Street
  Camrose, AB T4V 4W7
  Website: www.camrosesuicideawareness.org
  Email:
  Phone: (780) 672-0141
  
  
• Yellow Ribbon International,
  P.O. Box 644, Westminster, CO 80036-0644
  Website: www.yellowribbon.org
  Email:
  Phone: (303) 429-3530
  Fax: (303) 426-4496

	City of CamroseWelcomeVisitorsCommunityAdministrationLeisureEngineeringProtective            We welcome your feedback Updated July 11, 2008