9-8-8 Hotline
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9-8-8 number for mental health and suicide prevention
A new three-digit number, 9-8-8, has been implemented across Canada, for mental health and suicide prevention services. You will be able to call or text 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada for free and will be directed to the appropriate mental health crisis or suicide prevention service in your area.
In the face of increased demand for crisis services, 9-8-8 will provide:
- A number that’s easy to remember in a crisis situation.
- Support in English and in French, by phone and text.
- Quick access to support from trained responders, available 24/7/365.
- High quality, evidence-based, equitable suicide prevention and crisis support for everyone in Canada.
Who is behind 9-8-8?
In 2021, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) began a public consultation to determine if Canada should have a three-digit service for suicide prevention. In 2022, they issued their decision, adopting 9-8-8 as the number. This is the same number already in use in the United States.
The number went into service on November 30th, 2023.