988 Suicide Hotline
Friends, Years of hard work and advocacy are finally paying off as the three-digit national suicide prevention helpline – 988 – has officially launched. This life-saving service will provide Canadians who are struggling with mental health the opportunity to call or text 988 and receive free, confidential, immediate, and non- judgemental support.
The motion that led to this historic event was introduced and passed in the House of Commons by Conservative Shadow Minister of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and my good friend, Todd Doherty, December 11th, 2020.
A three-digit easily remembered phone number makes mental health and crisis services infinitely more accessible to those who need the help so desperately.
The 988 helpline will be open 24/7 and staffed by expert crisis responders. Our hope is that the launch of this crucial helpline will be the lifeline that so many Canadians need to help them keep fighting.
The Conservative Party would like to extend a personal and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been involved with the process of creating and launching 988. You are doing work that will save lives.
Please, if you are struggling with mental illness, know that you don’t have to suffer alone. You are loved and you are valued, and your life is always worth living.
