Canada has taken a significant step in prioritizing mental health with the official launch of a nationwide, three-digit suicide crisis helpline.
After years of planning, Canadians can now call or text 988 when in crisis, connecting with trained responders 24/7, free of charge.
The helpline aims to address the mental health needs of Canadians and provide immediate assistance.
"Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. There is hope and resources available for people in need. Starting today, people across Canada have access to an important life-saving service no matter the time of day or where they live. While we celebrate the launch of 9-8-8, we must also acknowledge that this is just the beginning. We will continue to work closely with provinces and territories and other important partners to ensure 9-8-8 continues to meet the ever-changing needs of Canada's diverse populations" said Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction and Associate Minister of Health.
The new three-digit line replaces the 10-digit Talk Suicide number and is expected to receive between 600,000 and 700,000 calls in the first year.