1

The Gara de Nord train station in Bucharest is a busy place; it’s Romania’s main rail connection point with the rest of Europe. Since the escalation of the crisis in Ukraine, thousands of people fleeing the conflict have passed through this station. The Romanian Red Cross with its partners runs a quiet refuge in the midst of the bustle, a place for women and children to wait for connecting trains or other travel onward.

When asked about his experience as a volunteer in the Friendly Calls program, Jason Robillon quickly responds: “It was exactly what I was looking for: having a consistent person to talk with once a week.”
The Canadian Red Cross Friendly Calls program focuses on forming connections and offering more social interaction to adults across the country.

In Summer 2021, I completed my first co-op term with the Canadian Red Cross, as an Emergency Care Worker in the Langford COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic. This summer work term proved to be one of the best work experiences I’ve ever had – and the Red Cross is to thank for that!

As Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health Week and Emergency Preparedness Week coincide, we focus on the importance of prioritizing mental health and wellbeing during times of crisis.