Canadians encountering mental health issues will soon be provided with an easy-to-remember number to call and connect with qualified professionals.
According to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the number 9-8-8, which is already in operation in the United States for easy access to mental health and suicide prevention resources, will be adopted by Canada on November 30, 2023.
The notice from CRTC read: “The implementation of 9-8-8 as an easy-to-remember three-digit number will help reduce barriers to mental health and suicide prevention resources.
“The number will enable greater access regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status as it will be available from coast to coast, 24-7 and free of charge. Furthermore, the ability to text to 9-8-8 will ensure that people in crisis who are unable to safely call, or prefer texting, are able to obtain counselling.”
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said an easy-to-remember number like this had been in the works for some time.
A media release by the PHAC read: “This number would be faster to dial, and would remove the challenge of looking up or remembering a ten or seven-digit number.
“It will provide people across Canada with a phone number that is simple to remember, even in a time of crisis, so that they can easily reach out for help.”
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) will be in charge of the service delivery for the national three-digit number once it becomes functional.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) will oversee the service delivery for the national three-digit number once it is operational.
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