Canada’s 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline marks one year of support
Trained responders have answered over 300,000 calls, texts nationally
from people with concerns about suicide
AURORA, ON, November 29, 2024 – 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.
9-8-8 provides urgent, live support by phone and text in English and French, 24/7/365.
Your Support Services Network (YSSN) is one of nearly 40 local, provincial and 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 Kimberly Thorn, YSSN’s Executive Director. “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 look forward to continuing to be part of this life-saving service and to be there for anyone, anytime, when they need us most.”
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.”
About Your Support Services Network (YSSN)
YSSN is a not-for-profit organization that connects people, along with their families and caregivers, to the services and supports they need to live their best lives. As a social services hub, we support children and adults with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, and people experiencing crisis. With direct 24/7 crisis support, access services and service coordination through community partners, YSSN provides a streamlined process for people to navigate the right supports for their unique needs, at the right time, across every stage of their lives.
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:
Rick Sikorski
Communications Specialist
Your Support Services Network (YSSN)
rsikorski@yssn.ca
(416) 456-2924