988 suicide crisis helpline launches across Canada

A new toll-free, three-digit suicide prevention helpline launched across Canada on Thursday morning. People having suicidal thoughts or other mental health distress can now call or text 988 to reach a trained responder 24 hours a day, seven days a week — no matter where they live in the country. About 12 people die by suicide in Canada every day, adding up to about 4,500 lives lost each year, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. More than 200 people in Canada attempt suicide every day.

The $158.4-million project is funded and overseen by the public health agency and led by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. "No one will be turned away. Anyone who reaches out to 988 will receive the support that they need," said Dr. Allison Crawford, chief medical officer for the helpline and a psychiatrist at CAMH. "It's explicitly a suicide prevention service and responders are trained in suicide prevention.

But we also understand that people who are struggling with their mental health may not know that they have suicidal ideation," she said in an interview. "We do know that (those) people can be at increased risk and will benefit from connecting with 988," Crawford said, adding that the helpline is also for people who are worried about someone else who may be at risk for suicide.

The 988 helpline expands on the existing Talk Suicide Canada helpline, which had a toll-free 10-digit number and did not have 24-hour texting service. In addition to CAMH, the 988 response network is staffed by more than three dozen partner organizations, including Kids Help Phone and community mental health agencies across the country.