Nationwide 3-digit suicide prevention hotline launching next year, CRTC says

A long-anticipated three-digit suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline will come online in 2023, Canada's telecommunications regulator said Wednesday.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) said it will use988 as thehotline's number the same three digits adopted for a similar hotline in the United States that launched in July.

MPs voted unanimously in favour of establishing a three-digit hotline in December 2020, as demand was risingfor mental healthservices due tothe COVID-19 pandemic.

Conservative B.C. MP Todd Doherty, who tabled the motion on the hotline, said he heard the news while out running errands and had to sit in his truck and cry for half an hour.

"It took way too long to do thisbut today is a great day," he said.

Doherty, whosebest friend died by suicide at the age of 14, said there is still work to be done to implement the hotline but he'sglad things are heading in the right direction.

"When minutes and seconds count, this will save lives," he said.

Once the hotline is active, Canadians will be able to call or textitand be directed to mental health services free of charge.

WATCH | Advocate applauds new hotline:

'I would have called it,' says suicide awareness advocate

2 years ago

Duration 6:21

Tanya Joy, whose brother died by suicide and who attempted to take her own life, says the new 988 hotline will make it easier for people who are suffering to get support and help.

Following the CRTC announcement, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced it's tapping theCentre for Addiction and Mental Health to lead and coordinate service delivery for the hotline.

Statistics Canada reported in 2021 that, on average,more than 10 Canadians were dying by suicide every day.

The CRTC said it anticipates the hotline will be launched on Nov. 30, 2023.

Where to get help now:

Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (Phone) | 45645 (text, 4 p.m. to midnight ET only) talksuicide.ca/parlonssuicide.ca

In Quebec (French): Association qubcoise de prvention du suicide: 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (Phone), Live Chat counselling at www.kidshelpphone.ca

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre