Resources and Support Services: Alberta
Crisis Lines/Mental Health Awareness
Distress Centre (Alberta wide)
Call: (403) 266-HELP(4357)
Online chat: distresscentre.com
Email: help@distresscentre.com
Are you worried about losing your job – struggling with addiction – grieving the loss of a loved one – getting over a recent break-up – feeling lonely or isolated – having thoughts of suicide – worried you can’t pay your mortgage or utility bill? Our highly trained volunteers and professional staff are here for you 24/7 if you need someone to talk to. Your call will be confidential.
Calgary
Wood’s Homes Community Resource Team
Call: (403) 299-9699, 1-800-563-6106 (Toll free)
Text: (587) 315-5000
Online chat: woodshomes.ca/programs/community-resource-team/
Wood’s Homes Community Resource Team views crisis as a normal process that all people encounter at some point in their lives. We are here to listen.
The Community Resource Team provides:
- 24/7 crisis phone support for children and families
- Family visits, in-home or community
- Brief crisis support (1-3 visits)
- Timely, accessible and flexible services for children and families
- Suicide risk assessments
- Ongoing phone support for adults with mental health or developmental delays
- Access to Crisis Stabilization program (up to 17 years)
- Referral to the FASD Caregiver Support Program
- Access to support in several languages, including Arabic, English, Hindi, Hungarian, Laotian, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, Swahili and Urdu
Calgary Police Services – Vulnerable Persons Team
Call: (403) 428-8811
The Vulnerable Persons Team (VPT) Resource Officers co-ordinate with homelessness and addiction-serving agencies to meet the needs of vulnerable people in our city. The officers are a resource to external agencies as liaisons, education resources and coordinators.
Edmonton
Alberta Health Services – Edmonton Zone
Call: (780) 427-4491
Services provided include a crisis phone line, plus mobile response for children, youth and families in crisis.
Canadian Mental Health Association – Edmonton Region
Call: (780) 482-HELP(4357)
Online chat: https://edmonton.cmha.ca/programs-services/online-crisis-chat/
Provides supportive listening, crisis intervention, and referrals to people coping with stressful situations such as abuse, violence, or suicide.
Income Assistance
Alberta Emergency Financial Assistance
Call: 1-877-644-9992
Email: css.ascc@gov.ab.ca
24hr Emergency Income Support Contact Centre
Call: 1-866-644-5135
Email: hs.iscc@gov.ab.ca
If you are facing an unexpected emergency, you can
apply for emergency financial assistance.
You can get help when:
- a situation is caused by unforeseeable circumstances beyond your control, and
- it presents a severe health risk, and
- you cannot access other resources or wait until your next pay-cheque or Income Support benefit cheque.
Disability-Related Employment Supports
Call: 1-877-655-9992
Disability-Related Employment Supports (DRES) funding is available to pay for supports that help Albertans overcome barriers to education or employment caused by a disability.
Job search supports
Job search supports help Albertans with disabilities aged 16 and older seek employment. Supports may include a sign language interpreter so that an individual with a hearing impairment can attend a job interview.
Workplace supports
Workplace supports help Albertans with disabilities aged 16 and older make successful transitions into the workplace, maintain employment, and enable their full participation in the workforce. Supports may include a job coach, worksite modification or assistive technology.
Educational supports
Education supports help learners with disabilities who are out of the kindergarten to grade 12 school system. These supports prepare learners with disabilities for employment through post-secondary education, basic skill training, academic upgrading or labour market programs.
Supports may include sign language interpreters, tutors, note-takers, and assistive technology such as software programs specific to the disability.
Housing
Aspen Family and Community Network Society
Call: (403) 219-3477
Email: aspenfamily@aspenfamily.org
Provides case management to help keep families housed.
Service offers:
- 1 to 3-month support to stabilize current housing or secure alternate housing
- case management that may include advocacy, budgeting, setting payment plan with a landlord, and/or some financial assistance for rent, damage deposit, or utility disconnection
- guidance in navigating the rental market
- support in achieving stable housing
- assistance in setting and reaching long term goals
- support, advocacy, and connection to community resources
Food Banks
Calgary Food Bank
Call: (403) 253-2055
Website: calgaryfoodbank.com
Provides emergency food hampers for pick-up.
Service offers:
- up to 7 emergency food hampers in a 12 month period
- hampers containing a nutritionally balanced, seven day supply of food
- extra milk for low-income families with children and teens
- baby hampers and gluten-free hampers for eligible applicants
Edmonton’s Food Bank
Call: (780) 425-4190
Website: edmontonsfoodbank.com
Provides food for those in need.
Service provides:
- hampers to individuals and families in need
Hampers are:
- put together based on the number of adults, children, and infants in a household
- filled with perishable and non-perishable food to last between 4 to 6 days
- not intended as an income supplement
Distribution occurs through:
- agencies
- churches
- food depots
Will also provide other food referrals to clients as appropriate.