Canada Unveils 988 Helpline Network to Address Suicide Crisis
Canada’s new 988 hotline, providing access to suicide prevention services through calls or texts, officially launched on Thursday.
Available in every province and territory, the three-digit number offers immediate, real-time support for individuals facing mental health crises.
Functioning similarly to 911 for emergencies such as fire, police, and medical issues, the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline is an easily remembered number designed for a prompt, nationwide response, operating 24/7 and free of charge.
Dr. Allison Crawford, the chief medical officer overseeing the service, also serves as a psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the largest teaching hospital for mental health in Canada located in Toronto.
The primary objective of 988, according to Crawford, is to proactively 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.”
Connecting with 988 via calls or texts directs individuals to a network of community partners nationwide, providing suicide prevention services, including counseling.
This federally funded 988 service is accessible in both English and French to everyone.
There are various methods of communication available. When dialing 988, callers encounter a menu that allows individuals, including children, teenagers, and Indigenous people, to choose services tailored to their needs.
For mental health support, children and young adults can also text CONNECT to 686 868 anywhere in Canada to reach Kids Help Phone.
In addition to using 988, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals can access the Hope for Wellness Helpline by calling 1-855-242-3310. The responders are specially trained in cultural humility, and services in Cree, Ojibway (Anishinaabemowin), and Inuktitut are available upon request.
