988 hotline for those facing mental health crisis launches across Canada
CBC
Canada's 988 hotline, which gives people access to suicide prevention services via call or text, went live on Thursday.
People in every province and territory who are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate, real-time support can use the three-digit number.
Similar to 911 for accessing fire, police and medical emergencies, 988: Suicide Crisis Helpline is a short, easy-to-remember number to get a quick response from coast to coast to coast, 24/7 and free of charge.
Dr. Allison Crawford, chief medical officer for the line, is co-ordinating the service. She is also a psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the country's largest teaching hospital for mental health based in Toronto.
Crawford said the goal of 988 is to prevent suicide.
"Suicide is a tragic outcome of many factors that differ from person to person," she said. "We know that feeling a sense of burden or a lack of belonging are common feelings that increase risk. Other factors that can play a role in suicide are mental illness, including depression, anxiety, psychosis and substance use."
As of 9 a.m., calls and texts to 988 will be directed to a network of partners in communities across the country offering suicide prevention services such as counselling.
The 988 service is federally funded and available in English and French to all.
According to Statistics Canada, 4,500 people in this country die by suicide every year — equivalent to 12 people taking their own lives every day. For every death by suicide, at least seven to 10 people either attempted suicide or grieved the loss of someone who took their own life.
Tanya Joy suffered both. Joy of Paradise, N.L., started advocating for suicide prevention services in 2019 after her brother, Jody, died by suicide. Joy, 48, attempted to take her own life in 2007.
"I'm here, I lived," she said. "I was fortunate enough to feel safe to call somebody, and I know that that's why I'm here, because this person intervened."
When someone is in crisis with thoughts of suicide, time is of the essence, Crawford said.
While suicide rates did not increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, crisis lines across the country saw an increase in calls from people who reported feeling high levels of stress.
Joy now hosts Joy Run, a 50-kilometre trail run to raise awareness about suicide prevention. She said nature helped with her grief and that running with others prevents her from feeling isolated.
