9-8-8 , Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline

What 9-8-8 is

9-8-8 is the Suicide Crisis Helpline for all of Canada. The number is the same to call or to text. It launched on November 30, 2023, and is led by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in partnership with crisis line services across the country.

The service is free. It works on any phone, anywhere in Canada. There is no waitlist, no intake form, no insurance check. You dial or text 9-8-8 and a trained responder picks up.

Who should call 9-8-8

9-8-8 is for anyone in suicide crisis or emotional distress. You don’t have to be in immediate danger. You don’t have to be sure you’re “in crisis enough.” If you’re scared, struggling, or just don’t know where else to start, 9-8-8 is the number.

It’s also for people worried about someone else. If you have a brother, friend, partner, son, or father you’re afraid for, you can call or text 9-8-8 yourself. The responder can help you figure out what to do next.

What happens when you call 9-8-8

You’ll hear a brief greeting and then connect to a trained responder. You don’t have to explain everything immediately. They will ask gentle questions to understand what’s going on. They will not judge you. They will not rush you. Most calls last between 20 and 40 minutes, but you can stay on as long as you need.

If you text 9-8-8, expect a response within minutes. The conversation works the same way, just typed.

What 9-8-8 is not

9-8-8 is not 9-1-1. If there is an immediate threat to life, including a suicide attempt in progress, call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency room.

9-8-8 is not therapy. It is crisis support. They will help you stabilize and connect you to longer-term resources if you want to keep talking to someone.

Why men should save 9-8-8 in their phones

About 75% of suicide deaths in Canada are men, according to the Mental Health Commission of Canada. 67% of Canadian men have never sought professional mental health support, per the 2025 Canadian Men’s Health Foundation study. The moment a man finally needs a number is rarely the moment he wants to be searching for one. Save 9-8-8 in your phone. Tell two brothers to do the same.

Other Canadian crisis resources

Kids Help Phone, 1-800-668-6868 (call) or text CONNECT to 686868. For young people up to age 29.

Hope for Wellness Helpline, 1-855-242-3310. Crisis support for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.

Talk Suicide Canada, 1-833-456-4566. Bilingual crisis support, includes deaf and hard-of-hearing services.

Trans Lifeline (Canada), 1-877-330-6366. Peer support for trans people, by trans people.

VAC Assistance Service, 1-800-268-7708. Free 24/7 mental health support for Canadian Veterans, former RCMP members, and their families.

9-1-1, for any situation involving immediate danger to life.

Why MenTELL trusts 9-8-8

MenTELL is not a clinical service. We are a grassroots awareness movement. When a man reaches out to us in crisis, we send him to 9-8-8, because they are the people trained to help. CAMH leadership of the network means responders work with current best practices in suicide intervention. Free access means no man is priced out of crisis support. National coverage means no man in any province is left looking for someone to call.

Save 9-8-8 in your phone. Tell two brothers to do the same. The moment a man needs it is not the moment to be looking it up.

Frequently asked questions about 9-8-8 in Canada

Is 9-8-8 free in Canada?

Yes. 9-8-8 is free to call or text from any phone, anywhere in Canada, 24 hours a day, every day.

Can I text 9-8-8?

Yes. You can text 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada. The conversation works the same way as a call, just typed.

When did 9-8-8 launch in Canada?

9-8-8 launched on November 30, 2023, led by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in partnership with crisis line services across the country.

Is 9-8-8 the same as 9-1-1?

No. 9-8-8 is for suicide crisis and emotional distress. 9-1-1 is for any situation involving immediate danger to life. If a suicide attempt is in progress, call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency room.

Can I call 9-8-8 if I’m worried about someone else?

Yes. If you have a friend, brother, partner, or family member you are worried about, you can call or text 9-8-8 yourself. The responder can help you figure out what to do next.

Sources

988.ca, official 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline Canada
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), service lead
Mental Health Commission of Canada, suicide statistics
Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, 2025 Canadian Men’s Health Study
Last updated April 30, 2026.