Canada rolling out new 988 suicide crisis helpline. Here’s how it works
Global News
A nationwide suicide prevention hotline is now available to Canadians struggling with mental health challenges with the launch a new three-digit helpline.
A nationwide suicide prevention hotline will become available to Canadians struggling with mental health challenges, with the launch of a new three-digit helpline across the country Thursday.
The 988 helpline, led by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), provides a toll-free texting and calling service that will be available 24/7 to Canadians.
The service will become available at 9 a.m. ET on Thursday.
“It is such an important service at this time,” said Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks in an interview with Global News.
“We know that every day across the country there are up to 12 individuals who are dying by suicide and it’s 12 too many,” she said.
“We know that since COVID, that mental health of so many of our young people and Canadians has been such a challenge and to be able to have a low-barrier access, three-digit number that is nationwide, that can meet people exactly where they are when they need it, is critical.”
In Canada, approximately 12 people die by suicide every day, which amounts to 4,500 deaths per year, according to the CAMH.
The goal of the 988 helpline is to prevent suicide by making it simple as possible for people to get the help they need.
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