You have gathered your courage and you are finally going to dial 1-833-245-HELP (4357). You have been thinking about it for a long time. Maybe it was after you saw the Sport’Aide number on the gymnasium poster, on YouTube or on Instagram? Maybe it was since you spoke to a friend or teammate who advised you to call – it doesn’t matter – that you have been wondering: “Should I call? What will they think? What can they do for me? Who’s going to answer?” These are all legitimate questions, but rest assured, the Sport’Aide team is opening its door right now to show you its secret!
When you call the Sport’Aide toll-free line, there will always be a counsellor to answer you. You can then decide to give your name or remain anonymous. It’s your choice. Just tell the counsellor that you don’t want to give your name. There is absolutely no problem! It will not in any way change the discussion that you will have with him or her. In any case, everything that you say will remain confidential. That means that the counsellor cannot discuss what you say with anyone. Even if your coach phones to find out if you called, the counsellor cannot say anything. Their lips are sealed!
That said, you can ask any questions that come to mind: talk about what is wrong, get angry or even cry if you feel the need. Nobody is going to judge you because the counsellors are there for you. Let’s just say that as counsellors, we have heard all kinds of things. You are probably not the first person to feel shy, devastated, mixed up, sad, guilty or even uncomfortable talking about what you are experiencing. Throughout the discussion, the counsellor will certainly ask you questions which may not always be easy to answer, others for which you don’t know the answer, sometimes even questions that will seem to be intrusive or have nothing to do with what you’re experiencing. Don’t worry, it’s normal. The reason that the counsellor asks you these questions is to better understand the situation.
At the end of the call, you may feel better simply because you talked about it. That could very well be! And if you want to go further, the counsellor will evaluate the various possibilities with you. The counsellor will probably refer you to other organizations in your region where you can meet with a counsellor in person, or give your number to a psychologist in order to provide a longer-term follow-up. This call to another resource could even be done together, if it’s easier for you. Otherwise, the counsellor may also give you the number of your sports federation, explain why you must call them and advise you in this step. If you want, the counsellor could also send you by email documents to read to get information. Finally, the counsellor may provide you with short-term solutions or actions to take, such as writing a letter or confiding in an adult or someone you know.
You see, there are many possibilities! The Sport’Aide counsellors are there for you or your friends and they can help and support you regardless of your situation or your need.
So, don’t hesitate. Go ahead, call us if you need to!
A. J.F.
