(Montreal) Interligne’s crisis line can “against all odds” temporarily maintain minimum service overnight with sufficient funds.
The organization working with LGBTQ people announced late Friday evening that it had obtained a reprieve for its nighttime help line. Due to a lack of recurring financial assistance, Interligne planned to no longer be able to respond to nocturnal distress calls as of March 31.
“Interligne was unexpectedly able to receive enough funding to enable it to maintain a minimum service overnight,” reads a statement.
However, it is not clear how long the funds will keep this service going.
The director general of the organization is nevertheless delighted with this temporary extension thanks to the support of the public.
“Never would we have thought that the mobilization of the community and the corporate sector could have helped us to extend our night helpline. It allows us to save time, to continue to save lives while we continue the discussion with the Quebec government, “said Pascal Vaillancourt in the press release.
In recent months, Interligne has lobbied the Legault government to receive a recurring sum of $300,000 to ensure the survival of its service between midnight and 8 a.m. According to the organization, this amount would make it possible to offer decent salary conditions for its workers.
In February, the Coalition avenir Québec refused the tabling of a motion by the Liberal Party of Quebec demanding the funding necessary to maintain the hotline in the middle of the night.
Interligne – formerly Gai Listening – mentions that a third of emergency calls occur during this period.
“People using the help and information service between midnight and 8 a.m. often call to express even more urgent distress, at times when psychological support and crisis intervention are most needed,” argues the body.
On average, more than 35,000 LGBTQ people contact the Interligne helpline each year.