YELLOWKNIFE - Everyone has problems. However, not everyone has someone to turn to when they need help.

This is where the NWT Help Line comes in.

In operation since the early 1990s, the help line's volunteers have been listening to Northerners in need 365 days a year.

Sarah Riddell says it's nice to see more people getting involved in the community. - Erika Sherk/NNSL photo

Now, their largest group of new volunteers in years is in training - 11 trainees, all of them women.

"It's nice to see more people getting involved to give back to the community," said Sara Riddell, a co-ordinator of the help line. "It's such an important service."

The training is rigorous, working out to a solid 32-and-a-half hours over one month.

It's necessary because volunteers can deal with anything from sexual health issues to a suicide threat, said Riddell.

"We aren't specialized so it's important for our volunteers to have knowledge on a wide variety of topics," she said.

The training covers a lot of ground: from child abuse to sexually-transmitted infections to suicide intervention.

The help line is completely anonymous and confidential. Volunteers interviewed for this story asked to remain anonymous, because people in need might not call the help line if they know an acquaintance might be answering the phone, for fear of having their voice recognized.

"It's been very informative so far," said "Jenna," a volunteer.

"It's very important that we do this. We don't necessarily know what we'll be facing."

Jenna, a newcomer to Yellowknife, said she wanted to volunteer to contribute to the city.

"Leslie" volunteered at the help line for two years previously. Taking time off to concentrate on her career, she has returned to training to refresh her skills.

She said many youth call the help line.

"If you're a teenager and you can't talk to your mom, you can call us and talk it out," she said.

"(The help line) is vital. It's a listening ear that won't condemn or judge people."

The help line is open every day from 7 p.m. to 11p.m. That includes all statutory holidays.

"It's something available outside of normal business hours," said Riddell, "which a lot of services aren't."

The logistics of the line are fairly simple. Anyone who needs help can call in and receive help - whether it's a referral to a service like a shelter or medical clinic or just a sympathetic ear.

"Some people are just lonely," said Riddell, "and have no one else to call."