Throughout the pandemic, community connections became more important than ever as social distancing became the norm and as schools, offices and businesses closed their doors. As we stayed close to home, TELUS’ broad communication infrastructure meant that many found it easy to stay connected with loved ones, to attend school or keep working – virtually. For most, it meant adapting and getting through it together.
Some, however, weren’t as fortunate, and community agencies worked hard to adapt to address those needs amid the ever-changing protocols.
As part of the community they serve, and embracing their “give where they live” philosophy, the folks at TELUS in Nanaimo looked beyond the obvious and asked where they could help within their community that would make a difference for those who were struggling the most.
The Vancouver Island Crisis Society seemed the obvious choice for support. “Isolation was a huge issue during the pandemic, especially at Christmas time,” says the society’s Joanne Hogan. “Calls for help were also up, as our staff handled over 43,000 total interactions with those experiencing a crisis in the last year.”
Half of those calls were related to mental health and substance abuse issues, while 10 per cent were directly related to COVID-19. The Crisis Society experienced reduced numbers of volunteer and staff crisis line workers and yet maintained a 24/7 crisis-line operation — a vital communication link for those in crisis.
TELUS Custom Security System’s generous donation to this non-profit meant they could carry on “helping people find their way,” meaning they never deviated from their mission to provide empathetic, non-judgmental, and confidential support for anyone who needed it.
Safe and secure
Making communities safer places to live for everyone is at the forefront of what TELUS Custom Security Systems does. Whether a business or a home, licensed security experts can help provide peace of mind with a security system tailored to your needs. Security experts can also share tips and tricks to ensure your property is secure, such as improving lighting and trimming bushes, or installing cameras that let you see your property even when you’re away.
When you need it, help is here
If you or a loved one needs help, or just needs to talk, the Vancouver Island Crisis Society offers Crisis Line, Crisis Chat and Crisis Text services. Additional support lines include:
- Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888
- 1800Suicide: 1-800-784-2433
- 310Mental Health Support: 310-6789
- Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566