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 British Columbia, 9-8-8 responders have answered an average of around 3,500 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. KCR Community Resources is proud to be one of nearly 40 local, provincial and national helplines across the country whose responders answer 9-8-8 calls and texts. 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 Christina MacIsaac, Crisis Line Manager for KCR Community Resources. “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.”
Both the winter and holiday seasons can bring additional pressure to people already experiencing loneliness, anxiety or financial stress, so having easy access to this social safety net is critical. The 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline is funded by the Government of Canada and answered through a network of local, provincial, territorial and national crisis lines and helplines across the country.
If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing crisis or suicidal thoughts, help is just a call or text away and is available 24/7 every day of the year.
