Suicide Crisis Helpline

What is the Suicide Crisis Helpline?

9-8-8

KCR is a proud partner in the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline. 9-8-8 is a new national helpline for anyone across Canada who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know. You can call or text 9-8-8 toll-free, anytime for support in English or French and 9-8-8 responders will be here to listen and provide help without judgment.




























9-8-8 provides confidential telephone and text crisis intervention through active listening and support. Trained, caring volunteers listen to caller’s concerns, empowering the individual to meet their own needs and find their own solutions.

Provincial Lines

All three lines are confidential, toll-free, available 24/7, and answered by responders trained in crisis de-escalation, emotional support, risk assessment, and suicide prevention. All three lines are offered in English but translation services are available for other languages. If you or someone you know is in crisis or are thinking of suicide, please reach out. 

 

The Interior Crisis Line – 1-888-353-2273 

310 Mental Health – 310-6789 

1-800-Suicide – 1-800-784-2433 

 

National Line (Call or Text) 

KCR is a proud partner of 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline. 9-8-8 is a new national helpline available 24/7 for anyone across Canada who is thinking about suicide, or is worried about someone they know. Responders are trained in crisis de-escalation, emotional support, risk assessment, and suicide prevention. The service is offered in English and French, and translation services are available for other languages. If you or someone you know is in need of support, call or text 9-8-8 toll-free.

Suicide Prevention

If you need information regarding suicide prevention or survivors of suicide, please refer to the resource links below:

All Sources of Support: 

The Interior Crisis Line – 1-888-353-2273 (1.888.353.CARE)
The Provincial Mental Health Line – 310-6789
The Provincial Suicide Line – 1-800-784-2433  (1.800.SUICIDE)  
Text or Call  9-8-8.

Volunteer or Work with the Suicide Crisis Hotline: 

There are two ways to let us know. You can either:

  • Email the Crisis Line Coordinator at crisisline@kcr.ca or call at 250-763-8008 ext.112

Training sessions are held 3 times a year; call to find out when the next one is at 250.763.8008 ext 112.

9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline

Call: 9-8-8 (toll-free, 24/7) 

Text: 9-8-8 (toll-free, 24/7)

9-8-8 Ligne d’aide en cas de crise de suicide
Appels téléphoniques 9-8-8 (gratuit, 24 heures sur 24, 7 jours sur 7)
Textos 9-8-8 (gratuit, 24 heures sur 24, 7 jours sur 7)

What Happens When I Text 9-8-8

  1. When you text 9-8-8, you will first see some automated messages before you connect to the live text service.
  2. In most cases, you will be asked if you want to text in English or French, and will be sent a link to find out more about using the service, including about confidentiality.
  3. In some parts of Canada, you will be put connected directly to the existing crisis service for your province or territory and will receive a welcome message from that service.
  4. In all cases, you will reach a responder who will listen and provide support. If you

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What Happens When I Call 9-8-8

  1. When you call 9-8-8, before you are connected to a 9-8-8 responder, you will hear a brief pre-recorded message to let you know you are in the right place.
  2.  Most callers at this point will also hear a few short questions, such as whether you’d like to talk to someone English or French, if you are under 18, and if you would like to speak to a responder that has experience supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. The message will also let you know how you can find out more about using the service, including about confidentiality.
  3. In some parts of Canada, you will be connected directly to the existing crisis service for your province or territory and will hear a welcome message from that service.
  4. Everyone who calls will be connected to to a responder who will listen and provide support. If you need to wait for a short time, please stay with us – we will answer your call.

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Is 9-8-8 focused on suicide? I thought this was a mental health line?

  1. 9-8-8’s main goal is to prevent suicide. All 9-8-8 responders are trained in suicide prevention and everyone who contacts 9-8-8 is assessed for suicide risk.
  2.  However, we know that people who are experiencing a mental health crisis are at greater risk of suicide.
  3.  We also know that people who are at risk of suicide may not always realize that they are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
  4. Because of this, no one who reaches out to 9-8-8 will be turned away. If you reach out, 9-8-8 responders will support you, whatever you are going through

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What is the difference between 9-8-8 and other helplines? Can I continue to call my local crisis line instead of 9-8-8?

  1. 9-8-8 is delivered by a network of crisis lines across the country. These partners are local, provincial and territorial, and national crisis lines whose responders take 9-8-8 calls and/or texts.
  2. 9-8-8’s main goal is to prevent suicide. All 9-8-8 responders are trained in suicide prevention and everyone who contacts 9-8-8 is assessed for suicide risk.
  3. There is no wrong way to ask for help. Whether you reach out to 9-8-8 or an existing local, provincial and territorial, or national helplines, someone will be there to give you the support you need.

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 We are authorized to collect personal information for the purpose of providing crisis and support services to individuals under s. 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Your information will be used for this purpose, and to ensure the quality of our services. For more information about your privacy, visit http://www.phsa.ca/privacy or email: privacyandfoi@phsa.ca.

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