2012 has flown by hasn't it?
Does it not seem to you that we were just relishing in the warmest spring, the hot, dry summer, walking in the leaves this unseasonably warm autumn?
And yet, here we are, about 15 days until Christmas, and 22 days until 2013!
Time to start thinking of those 2013 New Year's Resolutions!
Let's see...there's the usual, lose weight, quit smoking, go to the gym, eat better. These are all great, and kudos to those of you who really stick with it.
But have you ever considered making a difference with your time?
2013 can be the year that you help out thousands of callers at the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region.
Through 59 hours of training, you'll learn vital tactics to learning how to support callers, without the use of providing advice. Our job is to lend a supportive, non-judgmental, and unbiased ear. Sometimes people just need someone they don't know to listen to them, sometimes it's just easier to talk to someone who doesn't know you personally.
You'll also be trained in the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshop. This is a 2 day course, that we provide free of charge to our volunteers. You will learn how to listen for warning signs of someone with suicide ideations. You get the chance to interact with many others and our very qualified educational managers to learn how to diffuse suicidal intentions, and help the person in need get to a safer place for themselves.
We sometimes hear people "Oh I couldn't do that, I couldn't talk to people who are in distress or suicidal." And that's the truth - you need to be comfortable, and with all the training that we have each volunteer partake in, by the end of it you will feel comfortable.
Take it from me - I just finished my own training, and 2 days later, I got asked to help out on the phone lines. And let me tell you, it was a very rewarding couple of hours!
So if you think that your New Year's Resolution will be to volunteer at the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region - fill out your application today!
www.dcottawa.on.ca
One of the most trying times in a person's life is the school years. Whether it be high school or college, university or adult education.
- The pressure of getting the grade. "I need to get that A in Communications to keep my scholarship"
- Peer pressure to do drugs, drink, or act in a certain manner. "All my friends are smoking up, and keep asking me to as well, but I don't want to!"
- Exams. Study, study, study. Do you feel like that's all you do, and it's not going anywhere for you?
- Sexual orientation. "I"m gay, but no one knows, and I'm scared"
- Financial problems due to the economy. "I can barely afford tuition let alone food"
- Bullying. "Everyone hates me because I don't look and act like they do"
- Homesick for friends and family if you're away at school. "I miss my parents, and my best friends who are at another school all together without me.
- Issues with roomates, and dorms. "My roomates are just horrible to deal with, they don't clean anything and are rude and inconsiderant people"
- Chosing a Major. "What if I choose the wrong Major and I can't get a job after!"
There are SO many issues that come up during the school era of your life. Do any of the above comments or phrases sound like something you've heard yourself say or think?
I remember when I was away at college, being homesick because of being in a long-distance relationship caused me to go home nearly every weekend. I missed out on many weekends at the college, with friends, because I felt like I needed to be home. Once I let myself branch out to new opportunities, I saw myself really open up with friends and outings.
I was fortunate to have excellent roomates that were great to talk to, with a grade I was unhappy with, with a study problem, a boy, and even to talk about where my degree was going to take me.
That's not always the case for students, and we want to let you know that you're not alone. There are volunteers at our centre that are also students, that may be able to relate to what you're experiencing.
If you feel as if you can't talk to anyone at the school, or friends, or even your family, and you're away at school, we're here for you. Depression can sneak up on even the happiest of person when they're away at college or university, or even if you're still in high school or getting your OSSD through Adult Education.
Be the healthiest student you can be, physically, emotionally, mentally.
613-238-3311
OR
1-866-676-1081
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