The DCC K-Hub is a partnership between UofC and Distress Centre Calgary (DCC) aimed at improving crisis response services. It focuses on creating person-centered, impactful, and relational solutions through an inclusive and culturally relevant service model.
This project seeks to collaborate with DCC in enhancing its crisis response services by making them more person-centered, impactful, and cost-effective. Together, we will innovate and co-create an inclusive, culturally relevant service model that better meets the diverse needs of our community. Our focus will be on strengthening DCC’s internal capacity through a shared, multisectoral approach. By embracing innovative strategies, we will establish 24/7 access points, phone lines, and text-based support, building a user-informed crisis and navigation pathway that drives better outcomes and reflects our collective vision.
Knowledge Hubs are networks dedicated to sharing development experiences globally. They connect communities, users, stakeholders and academics/researchers to explore, expand, and collaborate, fostering innovation and advancing knowledge and practice through shared wisdom and expertise.
DCC utilizes advanced data collection tools, processes, and protocols to deliver high-quality, person-centered crisis response services.
Our team is equipped with the competencies and skills needed to provide high-quality, person-centered crisis response services, addressing a range of complex needs.
We invest in continuous capacity-building for our responders to ensure they are well-prepared to deliver exceptional person-centered crisis response services.
Distress Centre Calgary plays a crucial role in coordinating with diverse community partners to offer integrated and effective crisis response services.
Working to ensure culturally responsive, inclusive, and trauma-informed support by addressing the unique needs of individuals with diverse identities.
Fostering meaningful partnerships with individuals and agencies that are well-versed in all the areas that want to be addressed.
Being culturally affirming means acknowledging, respecting, and integrating individuals' cultural identities, practices, and values into services to promote belonging and empowerment. What does it mean to be culturally affirming?
Being gender affirming means validating and supporting individuals' gender identities and expressions through inclusive language, practices, and advocacy that uphold their dignity and well-being. What does it mean to be gender affirming?
Knowledge Hub Team at the World Café, February 2025
This World Café presentation brings together insights from research, community partnerships, and frontline crisis responders to explore the barriers and opportunities in providing inclusive, culturally-attuned crisis support. With a focus on the 2SLGBTQIA+ and culturally diverse populations, the presentation highlights systemic challenges, best practices, and the power of partnerships in shaping a more resilient and equitable crisis response system.
The Knowledge Hub Team includes researchers, research assistants, and practicum students who collaborate on crisis line research, incorporating perspectives from both frontline workers and service users. Read more about the posters the team has presented:
Neeb. K., Mostert, M., Sesma Vazquez, M., Collins, T., Lazaruk, K., McSwiney, T., Anokwa, E., Ahmed, S. S., Fazal, N., Hammond, N., & Jagersma, M. (2025, May 31). Understanding the unique needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in crisis: A qualitative exploration [Poster presentation]. 1st Annual Transdisciplinary Scholarship Week. Networking and Showcase, Institute for Transdisciplinary Scholarship, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.
Mostert, M., Sesma Vazquez, M., Collins, T., Ahmed, S.S., Lazaruk, K., Neeb, K., Fazal, N., Hammond, N., Anokwa, E., McSwiney, T., & Jagersma, M. (2025, May 2). Crisis Line Support: Bridging the Gap for Immigrant, Refugee, Ethnocultural and Racialized Callers [Poster presentation]. 1st Annual Transdisciplinary Scholarship Week. Networking and Showcase, Institute for Transdisciplinary Scholarship, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.
McSwiney, T., Sesma Vazquez, M., Collins, T., & Mostert, M. (2025, March 20). Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ crisis line caller subgroups [Poster presentation]. 16th Annual Social Work Research Symposium. Making Changes Together: Partnering for Wellbeing and Mental Health, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Edmonton, AB.
Mostert, M., Sesma Vazquez, M., Collins, T., Ahmed, S.S., Lazaruk, K., Neeb, K., Fazal, N., Hammond, N., Anokwa, E., McSwiney, T., & Jagersma, M. (2025, March 19).Crisis Line Support: Bridging the Gap for Immigrant, Refugee, Ethnocultural and Racialized Callers [Poster presentation]. 16th Annual Social Work Research Symposium. Making Changes Together: Partnering for Wellbeing and Mental Health, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. (Award Winning)
Neeb. K., Mostert, M., Sesma Vazquez, M., Collins, T., Lazaruk, K., McSwiney, T., Anokwa, E., Ahmed, S. S., Fazal, N., Hammond, N., & Jagersma, M. (2025, March 19). Understanding the unique needs of 2SLGBTQAI+ individuals in crisis: A qualitative exploration [Poster presentation]. 16th Annual Social Work Research Symposium. Making Changes Together: Partnering for Wellbeing and Mental Health, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. (Award Winning)
Sesma-Vazquez, M., Collins, T., Mostert, M., Hammond, N. (Feb. 2025). From repeated calls to lasting care: Rethinking crisis response for frequent callers. The Distress Centre Knowledge Hub presentation for the FSW Dean’s Circle. Organized by the Faculty of Social Work, UCalgary.
Collins, T., Sesma Vazquez, M., Mostert, M., Lazaruk, K., Fazal, N., Hammond, N., Neeb, K., McSwiney, T., Anokwa, E., Ahmed, S. (2025, June). Intersectional crisis: Comparing the complex needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ and culturally diverse individuals in Canada [Paper presentation]. International Association for Suicide Prevention, Vienna, AT.
Fazal, N., Sesma-Vazquez, M., Collins, T., Mostert, M., McSwiney, T., Lazaruk, K., Hammond, N., Need, K., Anokwa, E., & Ahmed, S. (2025, June). Supporting multilingual crisis line callers: results from a world cafe in Calgary, Alberta [Poster presentation]. International Association for Suicide Prevention, Vienna, AT.
McSwiney, T., Sesma-Vazquez, M., Collins, T., Mostert, M., Fazal, N., Lazaruk, K., Hammond, N., Need, K., Anokwa, E., & Ahmed, S. (2025, June). Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ Crisis Line Caller Subgroups [Poster presentation]. International Association for Suicide Prevention, Vienna, AT.
Collins, T., Sesma Vazquez, M., Mostert, M., Lazaruk, K., Fazal, N., Hammond, N., Neeb, K., McSwiney, T., Anokwa, E., Ahmed, S. (2025, June). Bridging gaps, building resilience: A World Café to strengthen crisis response [Poster presentation]. International Association for Suicide Prevention, Vienna, AT.
Collins, T., Sesma-Vazquez, Mostert, M., Fazal, N., McSwiney, T., Lazaruk, K., Hammond, N., Need, K., Anokwa, E., & Ahmed, S. (2025, June). Toward cultural humility: Improving crisis intervention for diverse communities. [Poster presentation]. International Association for Suicide Prevention, Vienna, AT.
Mostert, M., Sesma-Vazquez, M., Collins, T., McSwiney, T., & Ismail, M. (2025, May 31). Crisis line support for 2SLGBTQIA+ and culturally diverse callers: Responders and stakeholders’ reflections on callers experiences and needs. Conversation Café Session. CCPA 2025 Annual Conference. Calgary, AB. Accepted.
Mostert, M., Sesma-Vazquez, M., Collins, T. (2025, May 31). Crisis line support for 2SLGBTQIA+ and culturally diverse callers: Responders and stakeholders’ reflections on callers experiences and needs. Conversation Café Session. CCPA 2025 Annual Conference. Calgary, AB. Accepted.
Dr. Monica Sesma Vazquez is this year’s recipient of the Early Career Research Award, which recognizes researchers with ten or fewer years of experience as academic staff at the post-secondary level.
Mariam Ismail (BSW) received the Excellence Award in Field Practicum for her outstanding contributions during her placement with the Knowledge Hub, highlighting the meaningful impact students can have in their field experiences.
Monica Sesma Vazquez, Ph.D., RSW, RMFT-SM and Assistant Professor. Monica is the Director at the DCC Knowledge Hub, leading research on suicide crisis response and LGBTQIA2S+ practices, with 20+ years in the mental health field.
Tara Collins, Ph.D., Research Project Coordinator. Tara earned her PhD in Social Work from UofC in 2022. With 20+ years of experience, she now coordinates research on Inuit communities and leads various project activities.
Melissa Mostert, B.Ed., MSW Candidate, Research Assistant. Melissa joined the Research Hub as a practicum student, conducting reviews and analysis on crisis support for 2SLGBTQIA+ and diverse communities. She also coordinates TFEL research on neurodivergent students.
A practicing social worker since 2009, Karen supports the team conducting interviews, analyzing data and revising the training manual to embody a trauma-informed approach.
Nasiha Fazal, BA (Urban Studies), Master of Landscape Architecture (Student). Nasiha brings multidisciplinary experience from the University of Calgary and external settings. She has held roles as a researcher, administrative coordinator and professional development assistant.
Nathanael Hammond, a PhD student in Economics at UofC, holds a Master’s from UofS. His research on labor economics and inequality includes workplace homophily and improving cost-effectiveness at DCC.
Tristan McSwiney, BSc, MSW Candidate, is completing his Master of Social Work practicum with the Research Hub and has been with CMHA–Edmonton since 2016.
Mariam Ismail, BA, is a BSW student and Program Supervisor with 7+ years' experience supporting marginalized communities and conducting research.
Sandra Thoms, BA, BSW student, Research Assistant, joined the Research Hub as a practicum student with practical experience in community-based mental health, crisis response, and harm reduction
Ying Zhang, M.A., BSW student, research assistant volunteer. Ying supports different DCC projects that focus on crisis interventions and best practices.
