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new 988 crisis line launched in u.s. for mental health crises is also happening in canada

the new dedicated crisis line will be available to help people experiencing any mental health crisis, including thoughts of suicide, as well as those who are concerned about someone.

988 will be live in november 2023
when people in need call or text 988, they will be immediately connected to trained counsellors who will then provide support and connect callers to resources if needed. getty

content warning: this story contains references to suicide and suicidal ideation. if you are in need of support for yourself, a friend or a family member, talk suicide canada, formerly the canadian suicide prevention service helpline, offers support and can be reached at 1-833-456-4566 toll free, 24/7. or, connect via text at 45645, from 4 p.m. to midnight et.

 
putting crisis care more in reach for people in need is a step forward in reducing suicide, and supporting mental health, experts say, in response to a new dedicated crisis lifeline just launched in the u.s. and headed to canada next year.

the 988 lifeline, which is a transition from the 10-digit national suicide prevention lifeline number 800-273-talk, also links to the veterans crisis line and comes after a three-year effort by the u.s. department of health and human services, federal communications commission and the u.s. department of veterans affairs to make it easier for people in crisis to access help, reports from the tribune .

when people in need call or text 988, they will be immediately connected to trained counsellors who will then provide support and connect callers to resources if needed. if 911 emergency services are required, the 988 counsellor facilitates that call as well.

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“children of today will grow up by dialing 911 when there’s an emergency and now people can dial 988 when it’s specific to mental health,” mental health counsellor catherine dubois told the tribune.

the line is for any mental health crisis

she says patients don’t need to be suicidal to call, but if they’re feeling stuck, can’t stop crying or feeling very low, they can reach out. it’s also for people who are concerned for the well-being of others.
“this is a number you can call if you’re having concerns for someone and you’re there with them, but not sure how to help them and it’s out of your league to handle the situation,” she says. “before, it was called the suicide hotline, and someone who was not suicidal wouldn’t want to call that number, but there could be a mental health crisis, so this lifeline [988] helps remove that stigma.”
there is a similar initiative happening in canada.

currently, talk suicide canada , formerly the canadian suicide prevention service, which can be reached at 1-833-456-4566 connects you with a crisis responder. but the canadian radio-television and telecommunications commission (crtc) recently concluded a public consultation on the need for a three-digit number for mental health emergencies. the free 988 lifeline is slated for launch on november 30, 2023, says the crtc.

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suicide ninth leading cause of death in canada

suicide is a critical public health issue in canada, says the canadian association for suicide prevention , with one in 10 people ending their lives by suicide and up to 200 others making the attempt. suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in this country.

men are three times more likely to die by suicide than females, although females are three times more likely to attempt to end their lives. further, women are hospitalized 1.5 times more often than males for suicide-related behaviours. this discrepancy may be because women tend to use less immediately lethal methods.

based on data from the canadian community health survey 2019, 12 per cent of canadians have thought about suicide, and increasingly more canadians (16 per cent) are consulting with a health-care professional about their mental health.

what are the warning signs of suicide?

according to the national institute of mental health (nimh)  research indicates that almost all deaths by suicide are preceded by warning signs, so it’s important to know what to look for. some indicators are if someone talks about wanting to die, or experiencing guilt or shame or being a burden to others. other signs are feelings of hopelessness or being trapped, having no reason to live, agitation or unbearable emotional or physical pain.

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behavioural warning signs can include withdrawing from friends, giving away important items, extreme mood swings, taking dangerous risks, sleeping or eating more or less and using drugs or alcohol more often.
don’t be afraid to ask if you’re concerned. studies have shown that asking someone about suicidal thoughts does not cause or increase these thoughts, advises the nimh. asking someone directly, “are you thinking of killing yourself?” can be the best way to identify someone at risk for suicide.
 
karen hawthorne is a toronto-based writer.
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karen hawthorne
karen hawthorne

karen hawthorne worked for six years as a digital editor for the national post, contributing articles on health, business, culture and travel for affiliated newspapers across canada. she now writes from her home office in toronto as a freelancer, and takes breaks to bounce with her son on the backyard trampoline and walk bingo, her bull terrier.

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