9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline to launch in November
Sept. 8, 2023
Global Korean Post
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Every day, approximately 12 people in Canada die by suicide. Suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds and the Government of Canada is taking concrete steps to provide people across Canada with the best possible mental health and crisis intervention supports and resources.
Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced on September 8, 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.
Distress lines are a vital part of Canada’s public health approach to suicide prevention, and this program will help ensure distress lines and centres are able to respond to the needs and experience of everyone who calls, regardless of their background, culture or experience.
This initiative to enhance equity, diversity and inclusion in the distress line sector is an important complement to the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, which will launch in Canada on November 30, 2023.
While complementary to the 9-8-8 initiative, the Distress Line Equity Fund funding opportunity is separate. All eligible distress lines and centres, whether participating in the 9-8-8 network or not, can apply for funding through the Distress Line Equity Fund.
