As the 988 national suicide prevention helpline marks its one-year anniversary, the three-digit helpline is making a difference in helping to prevent suicides, experts say.
According the helpline, crisis responders with Canada’s 988 helpline have answered more than 300,000 calls and texts since the its launch last year — roughly 1,000 calls per day.
The helpline provides urgent, live support by phone and text to people in every province and territory 24/7.
Responders work with callers to explore ways to cope when things are overwhelming and help them find a path to safety. It also offers support and advice for people worried someone they know may be considering suicide.
“We knew there was a need and we are seeing that need,” said Dr. Allison Crawford, chief medical officer of the helpline and a psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
According to the service, responder training is informed by evidence, best practices and engagement with organizations representing populations most affected by suicide to ensure that everyone can access the support they need.
“I think it’s important that suicide prevention is delivered by people who are skilled in helping people manage a crisis in a very collaborative way.”
Roughly 4,500 people die by suicide in Canada every year, according to Statistics Canada — equivalent to 12 deaths every day. Experts say there is a growing need for mental health services and the helpline is one way to ensure people have timely support.
No one who calls will be turned away, helpline says
Tracy Graham, director of programs and services of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge, works directly with 988 responders and says their expertise is specialized to ensure they can meet the needs of callers.
The CMHA is part of the growing list of 40 partners across Canada that work with the helpline.
“When people are experiencing emotional distress and thoughts of suicide, it is important that they have a resource and a service where they can connect with another person who is going to respond to them with kindness and compassion: a mental health professional who is able to listen to what is causing the distress that day,” she said.
The helpline, which is funded by the federal government, says no one who calls will be turned away.
“It creates a space, it creates solutions with the person. What do they need? What do they want? What would be helpful for them?” said Graham.
Important tool for vulnerable youth, therapist says
Joanna Seidel is the founder of Toronto Family Therapy and Mediation as well as a registered social worker and child and family therapist. She applauds the service and says it’s a tool used in her practice and at the two clinics she runs.
“There are times we have an urgent crisis that comes to us during an in-person or virtual session and we’ll have to act quickly and give the individuals or families as many resources as possible to assist in that situation,” she explained.
Seidel says she’s seen an increasing need for mental health supports.
“Often, people say, ‘We’re in a mental health crisis.’ I see a lot of people who are really struggling in relationships, with depression and anxiety,” she said.
In particular, she says she’s seeing anxiety among youth, as well as a high rate of separation and divorce among adults.
“That also really has a profound impact on youth because as their family breaks down, their mental health is breaking down.”
One year on, Crawford says the goal for the helpline is to continue expanding and improving, as well as ensure the public knows it exists.
“We expect this service to continue to grow, we are constantly recruiting responders, and one day we hope that everyone in Canada knows about 988,” she said.