麻豆传媒

Health

    • National 988 suicide prevention helpline has received 1,000 calls, 450 texts per day since launch

    Since November, people having suicidal thoughts or suffering other mental distress can call or text 988 to reach a trained responder no matter where they live in Canada. A person uses a cell phone in Ottawa on Monday, July 18, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Since November, people having suicidal thoughts or suffering other mental distress can call or text 988 to reach a trained responder no matter where they live in Canada. A person uses a cell phone in Ottawa on Monday, July 18, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
    Share

    Canada鈥檚 new 988 suicide prevention helpline has received approximately 1,000 calls and nearly 450 texts per day since its launch in November, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

    While it might sound like an alarming number, it鈥檚 within the figures that CAMH had expected, Allison Crawford said, based on the need that they鈥檝e seen in the years leading up to the helpline鈥檚 launch.

    鈥淲e had projections about what we might expect. And this is kind of at the mid range, so well within the range of what we expected to receive and what we're equipped to provide,鈥 Crawford said. 鈥淪o in that sense, it's on track.鈥

    Crawford is the chief medical officer of Canada鈥檚 new suicide prevention hotline and a psychiatrist with CAMH, which is tasked with operating the helpline. She told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview Tuesday that they anticipate that the volume of calls and texts will 鈥渋ncrease over time,鈥 and that they鈥檙e prepared to address that need.

    The federal government launched the dedicated three-digit helpline at the end of November with CAMH, after years of work and advocacy from mental health experts. Every year, around 4,500 people die by suicide in Canada.

    鈥淲e know that the need exists for the service, and that's definitely showing up in the number of calls and texts,鈥 Crawford said.

    Raising awareness of the helpline is still an ongoing quest. The ultimate goal is for the 988 helpline to be a number that every Canadian knows and would think of in a crisis.

    鈥淗aving the three digit access was one of the most exciting parts of this initiative,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e already had a national 10 digit phone number and service. But with three digits, we know that that increases access to care because it's easier to remember, especially in a time of crisis.鈥

    The response they鈥檝e gotten has shown that the helpline is already 鈥渙ff to a good start鈥 in its first couple of months of operation, Crawford said. She added that in February, they will be implementing more ways for users to provide direct feedback on their experiences with the helpline.

    Data collected on patient experience will also be compiled and made publicly available on an annual basis.

    When a person calls or texts the 988 number, they are first greeted with a message letting them know they鈥檝e arrived at the 988 helpline. After several questions, such as whether they want service in English or French, they are routed to a 988 provider that is the closest to them.

    鈥988 is a network of service providers, there are almost 40 providers across every province and territory,鈥 Crawford said.

    This means that if you鈥檙e calling from northern Quebec, the helpline operator you end up speaking to or texting with will be a 988 responder from within that province, and as close to you as possible.

    Responders are trained in suicide prevention, Crawford said, and work to both understand the needs and experiences of those who call, and also assess and assist if there is the risk of suicide.

    Helpline addressing pressing need

    Even before the pandemic, rates of mental distress were increasing across the population, Crawford said, particularly for young people.

    One way that CAMH tracks mental health trends over a long period is the CAMH Monitor, which has been studying mental health trends in Ontario since 1977.

    The study surveys around 3,000 Ontario adults each year to monitor substance use and mental health issues over time. The latest results, released last week, showed that in 2023, indicators of substance use and mental health struggles were on the rise across almost all categories compared to rates in 2018 or 2013.

    The odds of respondents self-reporting poor or fair mental health was around six times higher in 2023 than it was ten years ago, the study found.

    While the helpline is too new for CAMH to have statistics on the specific topics causing the most mental distress among those who phone in, Crawford said that callers often express distress relating to world events.

    鈥淪o definitely during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this hasn't gone back down either, we see people very concerned about things related to social isolation to economic impacts,鈥 she said, adding that this extends to issues beyond the pandemic.

    She said that the helpline and its responders are working to ensure the help they provide is accessible and inclusive, including different perspectives 鈥渇rom gender perspectives, sexual orientation, perspectives, culture, ethnicity, different religious groups, we鈥檝e met with people living in rural areas鈥攚e really are trying to take an intersectional perspective and understand people's needs.鈥

    When someone is in in a dark place mentally, it鈥檚 important to reach out to other people, Crawford said.

    鈥淚f you're distressed to find someone that you trust, and reach out to them to start a conversation, if you're worried about someone, don't be afraid to have that conversation with them and ask them, you know, how they're doing, let them know that you're concerned,鈥 she said.

    There are also resources online to help those struggling with their mental health, including on CAMH鈥檚 website and the Kids Help Phone website, she added.

    鈥淚f there's a situation in which someone is attempting to harm themselves, for example, you can always call 911 or 988. I would never leave those off the list.鈥

    -

    If you or someone you know is in crisis, here are some resources that are available.

    Suicide Crisis Helpline (988)

    Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (1 800 463-2338)

    Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566 or text 45645)

    Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868)

    If you need immediate assistance, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. 

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    Two nephews of the beloved Harry R. Hamilton share stories about his life and legacy.

    The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

    Canada

    • Two nephews of the beloved Harry R. Hamilton share stories about his life and legacy.

    • The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

    • A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province鈥檚 police watchdog.

    World

    Politics

    • Murray Sinclair鈥檚 family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.

    • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale鈥擫angley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, the 鈥楪ift-a-Family鈥 campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

    Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

    A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

    As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

    A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts 鈥 not for themselves, but for those in need.

    A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

    Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

    A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

    • Weather watchers were treated to an exceptionally rare display on Friday evening as rare cloud formations filled Vancouver skies.

    • For some shoppers it was Nov. 1, but for others the first hints of Christmas - saccharine treats, festive-fragranced candles and gaudily wrapped gift sets - were being noticed in stores long before the final Halloween decor had been cleared.

    • Thousands of people are expected to gather in downtown Vancouver on Monday to observe the city鈥檚 100th Remembrance Day ceremony.

    • Toronto is expected to see an economic boost to the tune of nearly $300 million thanks to Taylor Swift鈥檚 upcoming Eras Tour, which will be making a stop in Canada鈥檚 largest city for a six-show run later this month.

    • One man was transported to hospital early Monday morning after a stabbing in the northwest end of the city, Toronto police say.

    • Calgarians will be observing Remembrance Day at a number of different ceremonies across the city, including at the Hangar Flight Museum.

    • A home in the northeast Calgary community of Saddle Ridge was damaged in a fire on Sunday.

    • WEATHER

      WEATHER

      Conditions were warm early Monday and expected to remain that way for most of the day.

    • WATCH LIVE

      WATCH LIVE

      CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa.

    • After months of controversy surrounding a dog park in Ottawa's west end, a solution has been reached to divide the park in half.

    • With fewer interments and rising maintenance fees, the money for Canada's largest military cemetery will run out in three to four years.

    • The employers association at the Port of Montreal locked out nearly 1,200 longshore workers, bringing a halt to traffic at the port.

    • Though most businesses are expected to be open on Remembrance Day, there are some establishments that will be closed to commemorate the holiday.

    • Monday is Remembrance Day, a time to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

    • WEATHER

      WEATHER

      This is shaping up to be one of the warmest Remembrance Days in the past decade, at least, for temperatures.

    • Maritimers will stop Monday to remember those who have served, and continue to serve, in Canada's armed forces for Remembrance Day.

    • A Cape Breton senior recalls her life in German-occupied France, and her mother鈥檚 death, during the Second World War.

    • Thousand of people gathered at the Menin Gate in the Ypres, Belgium for Monday鈥檚 Remembrance Day Ceremony.

    • Remembrance Day is today, and a number of ceremonies are taking place around the province to honour those who gave their lives to serve our country.

    • A pillar in Canada鈥檚 history was honoured in Winnipeg Sunday afternoon, with thousands showing up to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Murray Sinclair.

    • Winnipeg police have identified two men involved in a stabbing incident earlier this week.

    • There will be two ceremonies taking place in Regina for Remembrance Day, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion.

    • Regina author Valerie Crowther is celebrating the release of her book 鈥榃ar Letters: Linking Lives in the Second World War.鈥

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    • People across Canada will pause to reflect Monday at Remembrance Day Ceremonies across the country.

    • A man has been charged after a stabbing at an apartment building in Kitchener.

    • Saskatchewan RCMP are searching for a suspect after a man was seriously injured in a farm-related incident in Montreal Lake.

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • The Regina Rams claimed the Hardy Cup after a hard fought battle against the Saskatoon Huskies 19-14 on Saturday in the first all Saskatchewan U-Sports western conference final since 2002.

    • WATCH LIVE

      WATCH LIVE

      The events will start at 10:15 a.m. with a parade that forms up in front of the Delta London Armories, marches east on Dundas Street and turns north onto Waterloo Street to Dufferin Avenue, the west to the Cenotaph.

    • Emergency crews responded to the scene on Road 68/Highway 2 east of Thamesford around 7 p.m.

    • On Friday, the Sarnia Police Service (SPS) received a report of an alleged abduction in the area of Kathleen Avenue and Walnut Avenue.

    • Watch Live

      Watch Live

      Barrie residents will gather on Monday to honour Canada鈥檚 veterans and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed for the country.

    • Environment Canada issued a weather alert for Barrie, Collingwood and surrounding areas, alerting residents about the wicked winds that are expected to pick up to 80 kilometres per hour in the afternoon hours.

    • A driver is facing multiple charges after a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 400 early Sunday morning.

    • WATCH LIVE

      WATCH LIVE

      Representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, military representatives, wreath bearers, government officials, and members of the public will attend the Cenotaph at City Hall Square for the outdoor service.

    • One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) received multiple complaints about an alleged drunk driver.

    • More details have been released about a police investigation at the Ambassador Bridge that connects Windsor, Ont. and Detroit, MI.

    • Environment Canada says heavy rain and winds could cause power outages on Vancouver Island as an "intense" storm system is set to hit the B.C. coast Sunday.

    • Six deer were struck by vehicles in six different locations in a six-hour period on B.C. highways on Saturday, according to the transportation ministry.

    • The union for locked-out port workers in British Columbia says the BC Maritime Employers Association cut off talks in less than an hour Saturday, refusing to budge on a final offer that the union has so far rejected.

    • The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.

    • Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.

    • More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.

    • The Southern Alberta Recreation Association is officially announcing the Town of Taber as next year鈥檚 host for the Southern Alberta Summer Games.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes broke open a close game with three goals in the first two minutes of the third period as they defeated the Warriors 7-3 in a game played Friday night in Moose Jaw.

    • There might not a lot snow just yet, but many southern Albertans are still itching to get outdoors.

    • It was just days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down when the Shaft Bottom Boys of Sudbury broke a world record for 'Deepest Concert Underground.' Now, more than four years later, a Timmins band is looking to take the title.

    • Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a break-in and $50,000 in damage done to the Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake in September.

    • Mayors of the five largest cities in northern Ontario met in North Bay the last two days to discuss a range of critical issues impacting their cities and the region.

    N.L.

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at 麻豆传媒. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.聽Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow 麻豆传媒