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The 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Line
People anywhere in Canada can now call or text 9-8-8 to have access to 24/7/365, bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate suicide prevention support.
As of November 30, 2023, 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline will be available in English and French, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to everyone in Canada, including residents of Saskatchewan.On November 30, 2023, 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, a national three-digit number for suicide prevention and emotional distress support will launch, providing people in Canada with free access to 24/7/365, bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate suicide prevention support by phone and text.
If you are thinking about suicide, or worried about someone else thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 for suicide prevention support, at any time of day or night. Trained crisis responders will listen to you and provide support with compassion, providing a safe space for you to talk.
9-8-8 responders are here to help in whichever way feels most comfortable for you.
When you call or text 9-8-8, you will receive a brief message assuring you that you have reached
the right number. You will then be asked a few questions to make sure you get the best
response possible, for example if you would like to talk to someone in English or French.
Calls or texts to 9-8-8 are confidential. No personally identifiable information will be disclosed or shared outside of the 9-8-8 network, except as required or permitted by law, or in cases where emergency intervention is required to support the safety and well-being of the caller or texter, and/or the safety of others.
9-8-8 is committed to collaborative, person-centred approaches that use the least intrusive interventions to increase safety. In cases where there is immediate risk to a person’s safety, emergency services may need to be called. Please know this happens rarely and only when
there is imminent risk to someone’s life or safety is in immediate danger.
About 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline
Suicide is a significant public health issue that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Some communities in Canada are disproportionately impacted by suicide, including, men and boys, people serving federal sentences, survivors of suicide loss and suicide attempt, 2SLGBTQIA+ groups, and some First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
Today, an average of 12 people die by suicide every day in Canada. While we have made progress towards talking openly about our mental health and suicide prevention, we still need to do more to make it easier for anyone who is struggling to get help.
The 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline is funded by the Government of Canada, and delivered by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and their partners. If you get questions or have questions about 9-8-8 and the 9-8-8 network, please reach out to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Existing Help Lines Are Still Available
Talk Suicide Canada
While work is underway, people in Canada continue to have access to Talk Suicide Canada, which offers bilingual crisis and suicide prevention support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Talk Suicide can be reached at 1-833-456-4566 by phone, and by text (in the evenings) at 45645.
Residents of Quebec can call 1-866-277-3553 or visit suicide.ca for support by text and online
chat. People in Canada can also find support from their local distress centres.
Hope for Wellness Hotline
Indigenous Peoples also have access to the Hope for Wellness Helpline, which provides
immediate, non-judgemental, culturally competent, trauma-informed emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community-based services by calling 1-855-242-3310. As of
November 30, 2023, Hope for Wellness will be part of the 9-8-8 Network.
Kids Help Phone
Children and young adults in Canada in need of mental health supports and crisis services can
contact Kids Help Phone by calling 1-800-668-6868 or texting CONNECT to 686 868 from
anywhere in Canada, at any time. As of November 30, 2023, Kids Help Phone will also be a
partner in the 9-8-8 network.