9-8-8 service is now live in Canada

Canada’s 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline is a new three-digit helpline that provides urgent, live support by phone and text to people in every province and territory across the country. 9-8-8 is available anywhere in Canada in English and French, 24 hours a day, every single day of the year across the country. 9-8-8 is for anyone thinking about suicide, or worried about someone they know.

Trained 9-8-8 responders will answer calls and texts and listen without judgment while providing support.

9-8-8 is for anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know. Suicide prevention is the primary focus of 9-8-8 but no one who calls or texts the helpline will be turned away. Everyone who contacts 9-8-8 will be assessed for suicide risk, and all 9-8-8 responders are trained to respond to people going through a range of crises.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Ontario is leading and coordinating the delivery of 9-8-8 nationwide. A growing network of more than 40 experienced local, provincial and territorial and national crisis lines across the country provide culturally appropriate, lifesaving support to people who call or text 9-8-8. 9-8-8 is funded by the Government of Canada through the Public Health Agency of Canada.

For more information, visit

988.ca

.

When you call 9-8-8, before you are connected to a 9-8-8 responder, you will hear a brief pre-recorded message to let you know you are in the right place. Most callers at this point will also hear a few short questions, such as whether you’d like to talk to someone English or French, if you are under 18 and if you would like to speak to a responder that has experience of supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

The message will also let you know how you can find out more about using the service, including about confidentiality. In some parts of Canada, you will be put straight through to the existing crisis service for your province or territory and will hear a welcome message from that service. All callers will be put through to a responder who will listen and provide support. If you need to wait for a short time, please stay on the line. A responder will answer your call. Whatever you are facing, 9-8-8 responders are here to help. No one who reaches out to 9-8-8 will be turned away.

When you text 9-8-8, you will first of all see some automated messages before you connect to the live text service. You will be asked if you want to text in English or French, and will be sent a link to find out more about using the service, including about confidentiality. You will reach a responder who will listen and provide support. You might need to wait for a short time before you are connected to live service.

For more information, please visit

988.ca/what-to-expect

.