Canada to launch 988 suicide crisis line in fall 2023

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) says it plans to launch a new emergency crisis number for people in need of immediate mental health or suicide prevention support.

Beginning at the end of November 2023, Canadians will be able to call 988 to connect with a mental health crisis or suicide prevention service, free of charge.

The Public Health Agency of Canada will decide which group will deliver the service and the scope of care it will offer.

The United States launched its 988 service last month.

The CRTC says Canada must first move to 10-digit local dialing across the country.

Seven-digit local dialing is still common in Newfoundland and Labrador, northern Ontario and the Yellowknife area.

The CRTC has given a deadline of May 31, 2023, for service providers to transition to 10-digit dialing in Canada.

Until then, the CRTC says people in mental health distress can call Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 between 4 p.m. and midnight.