Ottawa distress centre seeing increase in calls about finances, inflation
The Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region has seen an increase in calls about financial stress in the last year, as inflation reaches levels not seen in decades.
With costs rising, more residents are turning to the distress line for help, says communications manager Leslie Scott.
“We don’t blame people suffering with their mental health with this inflation because it is stressful,” Scott told CTV Morning Live. “It’s stressful seeing the prices go up and up; we’re not getting paid more, we’re not seeing a break in any other areas, and it’s a lot of stress for people.”
A new Angus Reid Institute survey released Friday showed that nearly half of Canadians say they're doing worse financially now than they were at this time last year.
Statistics Canada reported that the country’s year-over-year rate of inflation hit 7.7 per cent in May, the highest it has been since 1983.
Scott said for younger adults, this is an unknown world.
“Unless you’re over 40, you’ve never seen an inflation happen like this before. The younger generations don’t know how to prepare themselves for this,” she said.
Scott said calls about housing and food were up to 12 per cent this year, compared to seven per cent last year, and calls about financial concerns made up 12 per cent of distress centre calls, up from eight per cent in 2021.
“Lots of concern over food, gas, worries about their children and how they’re going to provide for them,” Scott said. “I don’t see it getting any slower, in terms of these conversations, for quite some time.”
The Angus Reid Institute’s Economic Stress Index, which measures financial pressures and respondents’ feelings about them, showed a three-point increase in the number of Canadians who said they were “struggling” with their financial situation in May, and a six-point drop in the number of Canadians who said they were “thriving.” The index measures responses as struggling, uncomfortable, comfortable, or thriving. The number of Canadians who said they were “comfortable” rose three points in May to 29 per cent.
Scott says reaching out to the Ottawa Distress Centre is not just about letting off some steam. Its team of volunteers can also direct people to ways to get help.
“Having the conversation with us could help lead you to a community resource. We have over 4,000 community resources at our fingertips,” she said. “We may be able to connect you with something that makes sense for your situation, such as a food bank or a support group.”
The Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region can be reached by calling 613-238-3311. You can also converse via text message at 343-306-5550. Its website is https://www.dcottawa.on.ca/
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.