On November 30th, 2023, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and its partners launched 9-8-8, a Suicide Crisis Helpline for anyone in Canada who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know.
The helpline is available nationwide in English and French, through phone and text, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will provide people the help they need, when they need it most using a trauma-informed approach and culturally affirming support.
This intervention is led and coordinated by CAMH and funded by the Government of Canada. It is made possible by a growing network of nearly 40 experienced local, provincial and territorial, national crisis lines and helplines across the country—including Kids Help Phone and Hope for Wellness—whose trained responders will answer calls and texts, while also connecting people to a responder in their community.
According to Government of Canada, suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds in Canada. Approximately 4,500 people in Canada die by suicide annually. This is equivalent to 12 people dying by suicide every day. For every person lost to suicide, many more experience thoughts of suicide or attempt suicide. Every day, more than 200 people in Canada attempt suicide.
At the launch, CAMH’s Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Downey stated: “9-8-8 is the result of collaboration across geographies, industries and cultures, CAMH is honoured to build this life-saving service that extends into every corner of our country. Today’s launch is a crucial step in making sure that everyone in Canada has quick and easy access to suicide prevention support.”
For more information about 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, visit 988.ca.
About CAMH
CAMH, based in Toronto, is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and a world leading research centre in this field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental illness and addiction. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.