Canadians will soon be able to access a new number, ‘9-8-8’, for immediate mental health or suicide prevention support.

Canadians will soon be able to access a new number, ‘9-8-8’, for immediate mental health or suicide prevention support.

The CRTC says it will launch the new emergency crisis number once the entire country moves over to 10-digit local calling.

That should happen by November of 2023. Once implemented by telephone and wireless service providers, calls, and texts to 9-8-8 will be directed to a mental health crisis or suicide prevention service.

The agency says 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.