Author Topic: Hi, Any experience with warm lines?  (Read 7154 times)

Pleeb

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 379
    • View Profile
Hi, Any experience with warm lines?
« on: April 05, 2015, 02:19:13 am »
I haven't tried any.  They may have been mentioned here before, but I may have not paid so much attention.
I believe MDAO and that centre downtown has one?.....forget the name -Gerstein Centre?


tx Peter

paulm

  • Global Moderator
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 440
    • View Profile
Re: Hi, Any experience with warm lines?
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2015, 08:16:11 am »
Hello Peter. I don't think that the Gerstein centre operates a warm line any more, but the MDAO does 9-5, M-F 1-866-363-mood(666s)

 There is also a mental health Helpline 1-866-531-2600, Oakville distress lines 1-905-849-4541 Durham Distress Lines 1-800-452-0688
or 1-905-430-2522 24/7 , Toronto Distress Centres (416) 408-4357 or 408-HELP  , Progress Place, 416-warm(9276) 8pm-12pm only

 Warm and distress lines will offer you support and a listening ear, they are not into doing counselling usually and generally they are pretty friendly places. Each one differs a bit and some even differ depending on the operator that you get.

 Most have a limit on how long you can talk, but usually it is fairly generous. The one I volunteer at allows people to call and talk for up to 20 min(depending on call volume) on pretty much any subject.

 Some people I just listen too as they vent out their problems, some I refer to places where they can get help , some I commiserate with and some I have far ranging conversations with ranging from problems they have to the local hockey scores (we get a lot of lonly people.)  People are allowed to call our centre once per shift.

 Crisis centres tend to be more results oriented and don't talk as long or take as many repeated calls unless the case is serious.  All you can do is try and couple and see what they are like.    Take Care. paul m