Canada’s 988 hotline, which gives people access to suicide prevention services via call or text, is now live.
People in every province and territory who are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate, real-time support can use the three-digit number.
The line will be answered by responders who are as close to your location as possible.
Mike Jones is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and says this three digit number is the first of it’s kind in Canada
988 is easy to remember if you are in crisis and provides bilingual support from trained responders to give crisis support and suicide prevention tips.
Jones goes on to say there has been an increase of RMWB residents needing mental health services due to a wide array of reasons.
An average of 12 people per day die by suicide in Canada while more than 200 attempt suicide, according to Statistics Canada.
9-8-8 is available by phone and text 24/7, even on holidays.
Comments