Executive director of the Vancouver Island Crisis Society Elizabeth Newcombe (third from left) after being presented with the 2024 Crisis Services Award from The American Association of Suicidology for her work in crisis intervention. (Submitted)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

crisis intervention

Vancouver Island Crisis Society executive director honoured with service award

May 20, 2024 | 6:29 AM

NANAIMO — A local leader in crisis intervention has been honoured by her North American peers.

Elizabeth Newcombe is the executive director of the Vancouver Island Crisis Society (VICS) and the recipient of the 2024 Crisis Services Award from The American Association of Suicidology. (AAS)

Newcombe, who’s been working in crisis intervention for over 30 years now, has been “at the forefront of crisis intervention,” according to a release from AAS, crediting her with boosting crisis line capacity, standardized services, and improved provincial governance on the topic.

President and CEO of AAS Leeann Sherman said VICS has excelled under Newcombe’s leadership.

“Her dedication to initiatives like the Crisis Line Enhancement Project sets a high standard. Elizabeth’s professionalism, adaptability, and oversight of VICS 24/7 crisis line services make her a model for her community. Elizabeth truly deserves this year’s Crisis Services Award.”

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Newcombe and VICS saw a big increase in calls for people dealing with mental health and addiction challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, with an average of 100 phone calls a day being reported in 2021.

A national mental health and crisis hotline number was launched in Nov. 2023, with Newcombe stating at the time it’s a great way to assist people without having to tie up police, fire or ambulance resources.

“We do follow-up calls with people, we do third-party outreach calls,” said Newcombe. “We can support callers who are in mental health distress and allow 911 to do the work they’re doing. We can work in partnership.”

According to AAS, the winner of the Crisis Services Award is determined based on “the demonstrated quality and effectiveness of their service, their ability to infuse core values of suicide prevention and mental wellness into their practices, community impact, and resilience in addressing the most challenging community behavioural health needs.”

Newcombe was presented the award during the 2024 AAS conference in Las Vegas on May 5-10.

The AAS, founded in 1986, is the largest membership-based suicide prevention organization in the world.

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