If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need to talk to someone immediately, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at: 988
Counseling
The Whale Foundation offers free, confidential counseling services to the Grand Canyon river guiding community to address some of the challenges and uncertainties facing many river guides. If you'd like to speak with someone for assistance or would just like to know more, please don’t hesitate to call our Helpline. Someone will get back to you, usually in a few hours.
In recent years, our clients have seen professionals for help with:
family/interpersonal issues
substance abuse concerns
anxiety or depression
grief and loss
on river and work related issues
Eligibility:
The Whale Foundation seeks to respectfully and thoughtfully engage and support the community of those guiding on the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon. This includes: current or former professional Grand Canyon river guides (commercial or science), Grand Canyon river outfitter support staff (warehouse and office personnel), or an immediate family member of an individual in one of the above categories.
How The Helpline Works:
Call 877-449-4253 and leave your name and phone number on the answering service. A professional case manager will return your call, and if applicable, put you in touch with a counselor. All cases are confidential. No one but the case manager and the counselor providing services will know you're being seen.
Do you have more questions? Check out frequently asked questions.
Confidential 24/7 Helpline:
Photo: Kyle George
“I would like to encourage anyone who finds themselves thinking “I don’t want to live like this,” to call the Whale Foundation helpline. Sorting out our uncomfortable feelings and emotions is a necessary part of growing.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and what I learned from my personal train wreck was worth the ride. I encourage anyone struggling to consider the journey, and the Whale Foundation is a great start.
”
“In the beginning, calling the Helpline felt like failure to me. I should be strong enough to do this on my own. It was awkward, at first. But in the end it was so worth it, so incredibly worth it.
The Whale Foundation put me in touch with a remarkable counselor and the process of healing, acceptance and yes, forgiveness began, and with this help I started to see my joyful, kind self again.
”
Photo: Joe Bennion
Banner Image: Michael Collier