Launched by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada’s new suicide crisis helpline started taking calls last week. People across the country can call and text 9-8-8, a three-digit number for suicide prevention, giving people experiencing thoughts of suicide, or people worried about someone else, an accessible and easy number to call when they need urgent help. Help is also available through Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) and the Hope for Wellness Help Line
(1-855-242-3310). The Hope for Wellness Helpline is available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are reachable by telephone and online ‘chat’ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.