Record requests – regardless of weather

Calgary Counselling Centre had a busy winter and our spring is shaping up to be equally demanding. Since November, the Centre has dealt with record demand and in the first five months of 2011, has kept up with a 7.6 per cent increase in requests for service.

“Since last fall, we’ve managed to stay on top of increased demand, without implementing a waiting list,” says Robbie Babins-Wagner, CEO. “November, 2010 and January, 2011 served as previous records, indicating growth is likely a permanent trend at the agency in the year ahead.”

During the month of March, Calgary Counselling Centre had 740 requests for service – another new all-time record for the agency. This was the third time in six months the Centre set an all-time record for requests for service.

“Through the last seven months, depression, stress and low self-esteem have been the most common requests for service. We particularly noticed the effects of a long period of inclement weather on people’s mood.”

The Centre now receives 31 per cent more requests for service than we did just five years ago. To the end of May, the Centre:

• averaged 25 per cent more requests for service per week, compared to the final quarter of 2010
• received 7.6 per cent more requests than the first quarter of 2010

“I’m pleased to see our phones haven’t stopped ringing since the snow melted. Weather may have been one factor why more people have contacted us, but we firmly believe the resounding reason is increased awareness of our good work.”

Client outcomes at the Centre have been steadily improving from year to year – almost tripling since the agency introduced client feedback treatment in 1995.

People contacting the Centre today will be assigned to a counsellor in the next 48 hours. Through online requests or by calling the volunteer-staffed Nexen Call Centre –people in distress will not have to wait to feel better.

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