Suicide, mental distress

Centre d’Aide 24/7 nears 30-year mark, faces cash squeeze

Gatineau’s Centre d’Aide 24/7 is hitting rough financial times. In March, the Centre predicted a coming deficit of $200,000. It is not clear how the management will deal with this shortfall, since most of the province’s funding sources have been tightened in the Couillard austerity program.

The services Centre d’Aide 24/7 provides to the public cannot be measured only in dollars and cents. For almost 30 years, the Centre has supported those experiencing a mental crisis across the Outaouais.

In 2015, the Centre reported over 9,300 calls a year from people seeking help. They call at any time of the day, every day of the week.

The Centre can provide temporary accommodation for those in crisis. Clients are referred to this service by Info Santé, the 8-1-1 service, or by health professionals within the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais  (CISSS-O).

“This service allows persons in crisis or distress to stabilize their condition and reflect on their situation,” the Centre’s website states. They will receive coaching and support during their temporary accommodation.

Suicide prevention is also a focus, with the Centre holding suicide awareness seminars, and helping people recognize the signs of potential suicide in others. One of  the Centre’s goals is to create and promote a network of sentinels able to identify the signs of suicide and act to prevent it.

A sentinel network will increase the number of people able to recognize the signs of distress, identify those at risk of suicide, and redirect them to the appropriate services, says the Centre’s website. “Sentinels are adults liable to be in contact with suicidal individuals through their work, activities, neighbourhood or community, or care-giving. A bit like a person trained in first aid, a sentinel provides support until the professionals (can) take over.”

Those who need help, or who know someone who might, are encouraged to call 1-877-appelle (277-3553) or to go to the website, centredaide247.com.