What we do
The Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region (DCOR) operates 24/7 confidential crisis and distress telephone lines serving Ottawa and surrounding areas. More than 210 trained volunteers answer over 60,000 calls annually, providing suicide prevention, crisis intervention, psychological stabilization, emotional support, information, referral and education services.
The centre maintains two phone lines — a distress line and a crisis line. All services are free for individuals living in the geographic areas covered by DCOR.
In addition to call services, DCOR provides professional training to community organizations, businesses and first responders on crisis intervention and suicide prevention. As a non-profit charitable organization, its mission is to ensure no call goes unanswered.
How you can help
Give
DCOR fundraises to maintain its 24/7 services and train volunteers. Community donations support phone lines, volunteer training, technology upgrades and public awareness programs.
- $50 keeps the lines open for one hour
- $250 pays for suicide prevention training for one volunteer
- $1,500 provides training for 15 volunteers
Donation options include one-time gifts, memorial or celebration donations, securities and fundraising events.
Volunteer
Volunteers serve as crisis line responders, offering support to callers in crisis or distress. Training covers active listening, communication, crisis response and suicide prevention techniques.
Applicants must be emotionally mature, stable, calm and empathetic. DCOR also offers specialized programs for volunteers aged 55+ and practicums for students 19+. Volunteers complete an award-winning training program before answering calls and commit to one four-hour shift per week while following strict confidentiality policies.
This article first appeared in the 2025 Giving Guide produced by the Ottawa Business Journal. That publication is available in its digital edition below.
To learn more about this charity, please visit the latest issue of the Giving Guide:
