9-8-8 number for mental health and suicide prevention support
Canadians can call or text 9-8-8 to access bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention support. The service is free and can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Trained crisis responders will listen to you and provide support with compassion, providing a safe space for you to talk.
Our role in 9-8-8
The 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline is funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and their partners. Our role in 9-8-8 is to ensure telecommunications service providers implement the three-digit number. In 2021, we held a consultation to seek views on the establishment of a three-digit number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention service. In 2022, we decided to implement the 9-8-8 number.
Get help
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.
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 the safety of others.
More resources in Canada
- The Hope for Wellness Helpline provides immediate non-judgemental, culturally competent, trauma-informed emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community-based services for Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
- Call: 1-855-242-3310 (24/7)
- Kids Help Phone provides mental health support and crisis services for children and young adults across Canada.
- Call: 1-800-668-6868 (24/7)
- Text: CONNECT to 686868 (24/7)
Quebec residents can also:
- Call: 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)
- Text: 1-855-957-5353
Related links
- CRTC to implement new 9-8-8 number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention
- Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2021-191 – Call for comments – Introduction of a three-digit abbreviated dialing code for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services
- Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2022-234 – Introduction of 9-8-8 as the three-digit abbreviated dialing code for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services
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