9-8-8 (Part One): About Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline

The 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline is a safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If you are thinking about suicide, or you’re worried about someone else, you can call or text 9-8-8 toll free.

In Part One of our two-part series on the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, we talk about what it is, how it works and who it’s there to help.

Hosts Megan Beahen and Alex Newman speak with Dr. Allison Crawford PhD, MD, Chief Medical Officer, 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, and Aaron, a 9-8-8 responder.

A heads up before you listen that this episode deals with potentially sensitive subject-matter around suicide and mental health. Please find resources linked below, if you or someone you care about needs support. If your safety is at risk, call 911 right away.

Get Help Here: Mental health support: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-healt...

988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: https://988.ca/

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health | CAMH: https://www.camh.ca/

Hope for Wellness Helpline: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

Get support with these mental health resources - Kids Help Phone: https://kidshelpphone.ca/

Contents of this video
00:00 Introduction
01:17 Disclaimer
01:36 Guest intros/background
05:46 What is 9-8-8?
06:20 Why 9-8-8 is important now
08:42 How is 9-8-8 different?
09:54 9-8-8 accessibility
10:34 Training of 9-8-8 Responders
14:49 Meeting community/cultural needs
20:36 9-8-8 is for everyone
26:14 How to spot signs of distress
27:44 Reducing mental health stigma
34:00 Conclusion