9-8-8: New suicide crisis helpline available across Canada

9-8-8: Canada’s new three-digit suicide crisis helpline is now available to call or text in English and French, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  If you or someone you may know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8.

An average of 4,500 people across Canada die by suicide each year, approximately 12 people per day.

The Government of Canada has provided $156 million to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to implement and operate the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.  CAMH is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world’s leading research centres.

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An experienced network of trained responders will be ready to answer 9-8-8 calls and texts and provide support and compassion without judgment. “They are here to help callers and texters explore ways to keep themselves safe when things are overwhelming,” the government said in a press release. “As the 9-8-8 system continues to mature and evolve, PHAC and CAMH will continue to explore ways to build the network and support current and future network partners.”

In August 2022, the Government of Canada welcomed the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission‘s (CRTC) decision to adopt 9-8-8 as the three-digit number to call or text to access suicide prevention and crisis support.

The government partners in the 9-8-8 network include Distress Centres of Greater Toronto and Gerstein Crisis Centre, Distress Centre of Ottawa, Crisis Prevention, Intervention and Information Centre for Northern BC, Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton and others across the country, as well as national partners such as Kids Help Phone and Hope for Wellness, who will continue to provide dedicated service through 9-8-8 to youth and Indigenous communities.