(OTTAWA) Federal Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett announced on Monday that the government would invest $156 million over three years in a new three-digit helpline, like 9-1-1, but for suicide prevention.
As of November 30, people in crisis should be able to dial 9-8-8 anywhere in Canada to be put in contact 24 hours a day, by phone or text, in French and in English, with trained responders.
The Center for Addiction and Mental Health, affiliated with the University of Toronto, will receive the federal grant to launch and operate the national helpline.
Minister Bennett is also granting the organization $21 million to strengthen the capacity of the crisis centers that are part of the current Let’s Talk Suicide Canada network, and which are expected to experience an increased demand for services referred by the 9-8-8 line.
Conservative MP Todd Doherty introduced a motion in December 2020 to create such a national suicide prevention hotline, and the House of Commons passed it unanimously.
While waiting for the 9-8-8 line to come into service, you can still contact “Parlons suicide Canada” by phone at 1-833-456-4566 and by text message (evening) at 45 645.
Quebec residents can call 1-866-277-3553, text 535 353, or visit suicide.ca for chat support.