The Help Line has been serving 33 communities in the western arctic with an 800 line since December 1994. Prior to that, the service was restricted to Yellowknife, unless callers were willing to pay long distance.

Last year, the Help line served over 1000 people.

The Help Line is especially helpful to those living in small communities, because there is virtually no chance the Help Line worker will recognize a persons voice.

"There are crisis lines in some communities, but the person sometimes worries that their voice will be recognized," said Betty Ann Marriott, with the Canadian Mental Health Association.

"The Help Line is not a counselling service," said one volunteer. However, there are other vital services the Help line provides.

"The main role of Help Line volunteers is to provide emotional support and listen. They also give people referrals on where to go in their community to get help," said Marriott.

Each of the approximately 30 volunteers answering the phone receives 55 hours of crisis call training. Everything from suicide intervention, family violence, and communications is learned in training.

Part of the training is provided from within the Canadian Mental Health Association, but nurses, doctors and counsellors also provide some training.

Volunteers with the HELP Line also recognize that not every call need be a suicide intervention to be important.

"Quite often, people will call if they don't want to feel alone. If they don't want to talk, that's O.K. If the person is quiet or crying, that's fine," said a volunteer.

The Help Line is always looking for volunteers to work at least 12 hours per month. The identity of volunteers always remains confidential.