Moving beyond the crisis helpline requires care after the call

Crisis support like the 9-8-8 crisis line is only part of an effective action plan to prevent suicide. People will need urgent care after the call and the federal government is on the hook.

On Sept. 8, Minister of Mental Health Ya'ara Saks announced a call for proposals to access $8-million in federal funding to address gaps in equity, diversity and inclusion within Canada's distress line sector, as a complement to the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline that will launch in Canada on Nov. 30, 2023.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY MARGARET EATON

October 2, 2023

It’s a common refrain from our politicians: “there is no health without mental health.” But for the many Canadians who are grappling with lengthy wait times, limited local services, or the burden of unaffordable care, that mantra may feel hollow.

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