After years of hard work and advocacy by Conservative MP Todd Doherty, on November 30th a three-digit national suicide prevention helpline – 9-8-8 – was launched. This life-saving service will provide vulnerable Canadians struggling with mental health issues the opportunity to call or text 988 and receive free, confidential, immediate, and non-judgemental support.

MP Doherty first introduced a motion three years ago in the House of Commons calling on the government to establish the 9-8-8 helpline.
This helpline comes at a time when every day, 12 Canadians tragically die by suicide. Often, they had nowhere to turn, no one to talk to and no way of getting help.

The implementation of 9-8-8 provides one more tool in the toolbox to make sure people who are struggling with mental health issues have access to trained professionals to get the help that they need.