Canada’s 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline marks one year of support

Nov 29, 2024

Trained responders have answered over 300,000 calls, texts nationally from people with concerns about suicide

Canada’s 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline is marking one year of providing people across the country access to life-saving support through three easy-to-remember numbers.

Since its launch on November 30, 2023, trained 9-8-8 responders have had hundreds of thousands of life-changing conversations with people across Canada who are thinking about suicide or worried about someone they know.

Over the past year, 9-8-8 responders have answered more than 300,000 calls and texts to the national helpline – that’s an average of around 1,000 per day. In Ontario, 9-8-8 responders have answered an average of around 12,000 calls and texts per month since the service launched. Our team at CMHA Peel Dufferin, has answered over 4,200 calls and counting.

9-8-8 provides urgent, live support by phone and text in English and French, 24/7/365. CMHA Peel Dufferin is one of 16 networks in Ontario and 40 national helplines across the country whose responders answer 9-8-8 calls and texts. These responders are trained in suicide prevention and to listen with compassion and empathy. They give callers and texters space to share what they’re going through without being judged, offering culturally appropriate, lifesaving supports to people in their most challenging moments.

“We feel privileged to be there to listen on the other end of the phone, helping people get the support they need” said David Smith, CEO of CMHA Peel Dufferin.  “We’re so proud of our incredible team of 9-8-8 responders, and all the support they have provided in the last year. We’re looking forward to continuing to be part of this life-saving service in the year to come.”

Since launching, 9-8-8 has received many heartwarming messages from people sharing that they were glad they took that step to call or text for help. One caller, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared, “I called in distress. I spoke with a woman who was so kind, compassionate and attentive to me while I was speaking. I felt so much more stable afterwards because [she] was such a good listener.”

Suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds. An average of 4,500 people across Canada die by suicide each year – approximately 12 people per day.

 “Talking about suicide can be hard – but with three simple digits, 9-8-8 is making it easier to reach out for support,” said Dr. Allison Crawford, Chief Medical Officer of 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline. “In our second year, we want even more people to know about 9-8-8, so they can get the help they need. We’re asking everyone to play a part, by sharing those three simple numbers – 9-8-8 – wherever and with whoever they can.”

For over 60 years, the Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin (CMHA Peel Dufferin) has been a pioneer in providing services for people with mental illness and educating Canadians about mental health concerns. As the leading client-driven, community-based mental health organization serving the Region of Peel and Dufferin County, we are innovative partners in proactively strengthening individual support, and developing a responsive mental health system.

CMHA Peel Dufferin champions good mental health for everyone and supports the full participation of those struggling with mental health and addictions in the life of the community. In addition to providing a variety of mental health services, we are committed to community development, mental health awareness and addressing the stigma.

About 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline 

9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline is a national helpline for anyone in Canada who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know. Help is available by phone and by text, in English and French, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. 9-8-8 calls and texts are answered by trained responders at a network of local, provincial, territorial, and national crisis lines and helplines across the country. 9-8-8 is led and coordinated by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and funded by the Government of Canada.

Media Contact:

Sonam Bola, Communications Officer

bolas@cmhapeel.ca