Life Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and Addiction

9-8-8 - A New Canada-Wide Suicide Help Line

Janice Arnoldi

9-8-8 is a new 3-digit suicide crisis help line is being rolled out across Canada. The line will connect people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide to their to their local suicide prevention lines and make it easier for areas that don’t currently have a line. 988 is for people who are in crisis but does not replace 911, which should still be called if someone is in danger or actively trying to harm themselves.

The Center for  Addiction and Mental Health was tasked with creating the line and to work with local mental health organizations to help them set up the technology to implement it.

Dr. Allison Crawford leads the 9-8-8 team.

Learn more about 988 on the CAMH Website