Years of hard work and advocacy are finally paying off.
On November 30th, 2023, the three-digit national suicide prevention helpline–988–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 my colleague MP Todd Doherty, the Conservative Shadow Minister of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, on December 11th, 2020.
The three-digit, easily remembered phone number –988 –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.
The launch of this crucial helpline will be the lifeline that so many Canadians need to help them keep fighting.
As the affordability crisis, addiction, homelessness, and chaos invades every aspect of many Canadians’ lives, the hurt and strain take their toll in a variety of ways, including on our mental health.
With the rapid approach expansion of assisted death to those with mental illness or depression, this hotline is needed more than ever to make sure people have the support they need when they feel they have nowhere to turn.
I want 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.
Sincerely,
Arnold Viersen, MP
Peace River -Westlock
