Canada’s 988 suicide prevention line receives about 1,000 calls a day and saves lives, service says

As the national 988 suicide prevention helpline marks its one-year anniversary, the three-digit helpline is making a difference in helping to prevent suicides, experts say.

According to the helpline, crisis responders with Canada’s 988 helpline have responded to more than 300,000 calls and texts since it launched last year — about 1,000 calls a day.

The helpline provides urgent, live, phone and text support to people in every province and territory 24/7.

Responders work with callers to explore ways to cope when things are overwhelming and help them find a way to safety. It also offers support and advice for people worried that someone they know may be considering suicide.

“We knew there was a need, and we see that need,” said Dr. Allison Crawford, Chief Helpline Physician and Psychiatrist at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

According to the service, training for responders is based on evidence, best practices and engagement with organizations that represent the populations most affected by suicide to ensure that everyone can access the support they need.

“I think it’s important that suicide prevention is delivered by people who are skilled in helping people manage a crisis in a very collaborative way.”

About 4,500 people die by suicide in Canada each year, according to Statistics Canada — equivalent to 12 deaths per day. Experts say there is a growing need for mental health services and the helpline is one way to ensure people have timely support.

No caller will be turned away, the helpline says

Tracy Graham, director of programs and services for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge, works directly with 988 responders and says their expertise is specialized to ensure they can meet callers’ needs.

CMHA is part of the growing list of 40 partners across Canada working with the helpline.

“When people are dealing with emotional distress and suicidal thoughts, it’s important that they have a resource and a service where they can connect with another person who will respond with kindness and compassion: a mental health professional who is able to listen to what causes distress that day,” she said.

The helpline, which is funded by the federal government, says no one who calls will be turned away.

“Create a space, create solutions with the person. What do they need? What do they want? What would help them?” Graham said.

Important tool for vulnerable young people, says the therapist

Joanna Seidel is the founder of Toronto Family Therapy and Mediation, as well as a registered social worker and child and family therapist. She applauds the service and says it is a tool used in her practice and at the two clinics she runs.

“There are times when we have an urgent crisis that comes to us during an in-person or virtual session and we will need to act quickly and provide individuals or families with as many resources as possible to help in that situation,” she explained.

Seidel says she has seen a growing need for mental health support.

“Often people say, ‘We’re in a mental health crisis.’ I see a lot of people who are really struggling in relationships, with depression and anxiety,” she said.

In particular, she says she sees anxiety among young people, as well as a high rate of separation and divorce among adults.

“This also has a profound impact on young people because as their family breaks down, their mental health breaks down.”

After a year, Crawford says the helpline’s goal is to continue to expand and improve, as well as make sure the public knows it exists.

“We expect this service to continue to grow, we are constantly recruiting responders and one day we hope everyone in Canada knows about 988,” she said.