National 988 suicide crisis helpline launches with Waterloo region partnership

The 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline launches across Canada on Thursday which allows people to call or text for mental health support in real time.

Jeff Stanlick, the director of Services with the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo-Wellington says people will be connected with trained responders when they call 988.

"You'll receive a pre-recorded message at first to select either services in English or French. As well there will be an option to select if you're under the age of 18. If you are a First Nations, Inuit or Metis person the call will be routed to those with experience in those groups," said Stanlick.

"There'll be specially trained staff who are ordinary people like you and I, and those individuals are trained in suicide prevention. They'll listen with compassion, without judgments, and they'll give you space to talk to help keep you safe in a moment when things are feeling overwhelming."

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced in August of 2022 that it will use 988 as the hotline's number — the same three digits adopted for a similar hotline in the United States that launched in July.

Following the CRTC announcement, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced it's tapping the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to lead and coordinate service delivery for the hotline and provided $156 million over three years to support the service.

CAMH has partnered locally with Compass Community Service and the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo-Wellington.

"Compass is honoured to have been chosen as one of the 18 agencies in Ontario providing this critical service in addition to our other support lines," said Compass Community Services Executive Director Joanne Young Evans. 

"While this is a critical step in making mental health care more accessible, further investments are needed to address mental health issues in the early stages and improve long-term outcomes.

Long personal journey led to idea for helpline

Conservative MP Todd Doherty initially tabled the motion to implement the hotline. MPs voted unanimously in favour of establishing a three-digit hotline in December 2020, as demand was rising for mental health services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hotlines approval marked the culmination of a long personal journey for Doherty, who lost his his best friend to suicide at the age of 14.

"I was the last person to see him. And, you know, all these years later … you carry so much guilt," Doherty told CBC Radio's As It Happens in a 2022 interview.

"If only I would have known; if only I could do that night over again; if only I could just tell my friend that my world — our world — is a better place because he's in it; if only you could just say, 'Listen, I'm here to help,' or, you know, if only there was a simple three-digit number for somebody to call for that."

Stanlick says the national 988 hotline is important for communities that don't have access to hotlines like Here 24/7, which is offered locally by the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo-Wellington.

"Nothing changes regarding Here 24/7. There's no wrong way to ask for help," said Stanlick.

"The difference though is Here 24/7 is local to Waterloo-Wellington and also provides a front door to a number of services for mental health and addiction. And we'll place individuals on a wait list or connect them more immediately to services."

Stanlick says 4,500 people die by suicide each year, which is about 12 people per day. It's a big concern, it's a growing concern and we want to make sure that services are available. 

LISTEN | Jeff Stanlick, with the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo-Wellington, explains how 988 works:

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (phone) | 45645 (text between 4 p.m. and midnight ET).
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (phone), live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
• This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
• HERE24/7  1-844-HERE247 (1-844-437-3247) 

If you're worried someone you know may be at risk of suicide, you should talk to them about it, says the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. Here are some warning signs: 

• Suicidal thoughts.
• Substance abuse.
• Purposelessness.
• Anxiety.
• Feeling trapped.
• Hopelessness and helplessness.
• Withdrawal.
• Anger.
• Recklessness.
• Mood changes.