People of all ages, economic, and cultural backgrounds call us when they have no one else to turn to. Callers call us when they have a problem they can't share with those close to them, or when they need ongoing support through their troubled times.  All that is needed is access to a telephone.

Some reasons for calling us:

The Oakville Distress Centre is a confidential, caring and befriending telephone service for anyone who is lonely or who has a problem and would like to talk with a compassionate listener. People call about:

LONELINESS

DEPRESSION

MARITAL BREAKDOWN

RELATIONSHIPS

SCHOOL PROBLEMS 

                    DRUG / ALCOHOL ABUSE 

                     PHYSICAL / SEXUAL ABUSE

                         MENTAL ILLNESS

                         HEALTH ISSUES

                         FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

                        BEREAVEMENT

                        SUICIDE

                                and many other problems.

Who answers the phones?

Volunteers who have been selected for their qualities of caring, compassion and common sense. Distress line volunteers are highly trained in active listening, befriending, crisis prevention, crisis intervention and community information referrals.

Our volunteers are warm, understanding, caring, compassionate and they respect the caller's rights to confidentiality and anonymity.