Episode 370: On Crisis Care in a Changing World with Jessica Ferne

About this episode

Caitlin and Lexie discuss crisis care and leadership with Jessica Ferne, focusing on the evolving landscape of crisis response and the importance of culturally responsive care.

In this episode, Caitlin and Lexie sit down with Jessica Ferne, Executive Director of the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region, for a conversation on leadership, accessibility, and the evolving landscape of crisis response. Jessica shares her vision for DCOR, what it means to work with her team through transformation, and how innovation, funding pressures, and emerging technologies like AI are reshaping the way distress centres operate. Drawing on her global humanitarian experience and past work with the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health, Jessica reflects on universal truths human distress and crises, the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive care, and how standardized excellence can coexist with community-specific needs. In recognition of International Women's Day, the conversation also explores inclusive approaches to women's mental health, and the policy shifts needed to better support distress centres across Ontario. To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please visit www.dcontario.org/locations to find your nearest Member centre. Many of our Member centres operate 24/7. Thank you for…

People in this episode

Host: Caitlin

Guest: Jessica Ferne

Topics covered

• crisis care
• leadership
• accessibility
• mental health
• women's health
• community care

Keywords

• innovation
• funding pressures
• AI
• humanitarian experience
• policy shifts

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region

Places: Ontario

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