What are our strongest human needs? The obvious choices are food, housing, and sex amongst others. But how about having someone to just listen to us when we need to talk - without asking any questions or giving advice. That need seems primal - a gentle accepting ear when we are angry, fed up and upset. It might help explain why after only fifty hours of training, the volunteers at the Need Crisis Line help people get through situations that would challenge any psychiatrist. And sometimes they save lives. The secret may be that NEED workers are specifically trained to focus on that primal need and to truly listen with no judgment whatsoever. The people at NEED provide many valuable services that they encourage anyone to use. September 2008 is a time for awareness of suicide around the globe.

September 7 was World Suicide Awareness Day with workshops all during that week in Victoria. Here are the sobering statistics according to the World Health Organization: Suicide is now among the top three leading causes of death among those aged 15 - 44 years. Every year close to a million people kill themselves worldwide - which accounts for more deaths than wars and homicides combined. Arnott says that more of their programs are now focused on suicide prevention. She emphasizes that we all need to talk about this taboo subject and take it out of the closet. Public education and awareness are ways to combat this global public health problem. In the soft spoken and compassionate presence of Jane Arnott, I felt relaxed and calm. Arnott is the executive director of the Need Crisis Line and she revealed the secrets of the specialized training they call "The Heart of Listening." The volunteers do not problem solve, judge, or give advice - they try to "be with" the caller and simply listen. When people start talking, their sense of crisis de-escalates, and they can deal with their issues more effectively. This is why it works so well. Arnott says that new research demonstrates that it is that "empathic quality" of the listener that is so helpful to callers. The service is free, anonymous and totally confidential.

The Need Crisis Line offers a wide variety of services that are listed on their website: www.needcrisis.bc.ca. There is the regular crisis line at (250) 386 - 6323 available for people 24 / 7 who need emotional support. The Suicide Line at 1- 800 - SUICIDE (250 - 784 - 2433 ) is available 24 / 7 to those who are suicidal and in crisis - when you call there, you will be connected to someone immediately.

Because youth are such a high risk group, NEED has developed enhanced services for that age group. Youth staff their crisis line at (250) 386 - TALK (8255) from 4 PM to 10 PM daily. A new website at www.YouthSpace.ca offers help through a live chat-line and E-Mail access to a youth counsellor. There are many other youth services at NEED. Due to the fact that seniors and the elderly are at special risk, a new project at Need targets this group.

The Need Crisis Line is also an excellent source of referral information with a database of about 1200 community resources. They also provide access to Emergency Mental Health Services. The NEED website has useful information on suicide prevention and warning signs.

Arnott wants people to feel comfortable about calling NEED. She wants to dispel all those stigmas and myths that create barriers to calling. You do not have to be mentally ill or suicidal to call Need. You do not have to be in a crisis. She asked me to deliver this message: please call NEED if you need to talk to someone, for support or for whatever is going on for you. Call us when life gets hard and when you need to connect with somebody. We will listen to you.

Even though there are no simple answers to complex human troubles, it is still amazing how problems seem to melt away when someone just takes the time to listen. How do I know? Because those wonderful people at NEED have helped me through some very tough times.