By: Jared den Otter, Communications Coordinator, CAMH
On November 30, 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline launched for everyone in Canada. Available nationwide in English and French, through phone and text, the helpline will provide people the help they need, when they need it most, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Led and coordinated by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and funded by the Government of Canada, 9-8-8 is for anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know.
Dr. Allison Crawford, CAMH psychiatrist and Suicide Crisis Helpline's Chief Medical Officer, explains: “As a clinician, I've seen firsthand how even one conversation can begin a dialogue that allows someone to re-engage with their strengths and to hope. That sense of connection and belonging can be transformative."
Establishing the national helpline was an urgent priority: Suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds. An average of 4,500 people across Canada die by suicide each year—approximately 12 people per day.
“9-8-8 is the result of collaboration across geographies, industries and cultures," explains Sarah Downey, CAMH President and CEO. “CAMH is honoured to build this life-saving service, so that everyone in Canada has quick and easy access to suicide prevention support."
As 9-8-8's implementing partner, CAMH coordinates the 9-8-8 network, including administrating funds to 9-8-8 service partners, developing the technology to connect all the crisis lines taking 9-8-8 calls and texts, making sure 9-8-8 delivers the best quality service to anyone who reaches out for help, and raising awareness about the new suicide crisis helpline nationwide.
Announced in August 2022, the CAMH team worked very hard to get 9-8-8 ready for launch in just over a year, building on existing helpline systems and leveraging CAMH's strong Canada-wide relationships with service providers as well as extensive expertise in health service planning and implementation.
9-8-8 is made up of a growing network of nearly 40 experienced local, provincial and territorial, and national crisis lines across the country—including Kids Help Phone, with expertise in supporting children and young people, and Hope for Wellness, with with expertise in supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations. This makes sure that callers are connected to a responder from their community who can connect with them on a community level.
The 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline is the result of strong collaboration by teams across CAMH, from the core 9-8-8 team, to IMG, Legal, Finance, People and Experience, Procurement, Enterprise Project Management Office, Education, and Public Affairs. They worked closely with government and helpline partners, and a dedicated group of advisors who have lived experience.
Today, whoever you are, wherever you are located in Canada, by calling or texting 9-8-8, you can connect with a trained responder who is ready to listen compassionately and without judgement.
As the Honourable Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Associate Minister of Health, said during the 9-8-8 official launch event, “Each life lost by suicide can have far-reaching effects, whether that's families grappling with the loss of a loved one or the ripple effects that are felt within their communities. Our message to anyone who is struggling across Canada: you are not alone, help is available."
For more information about 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, visit https://988.ca.
For more information about the launch of 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, visit camh.ca