Nicole Ireland, writing for The Canadian Press »
Since 988 was launched a year ago by the Public Health Agency of Canada, responders have fielded more than 300,000 calls and texts, CAMH said. The helpline runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is staffed by more than 2,000 responders.
“We will not turn anybody away,” Bhatti said, noting that having “three simple digits” to remember is invaluable for someone who is struggling or if they’re worried about someone else.
Ya’ara Saks, federal minister of mental health and addictions, said “the numbers speak for themselves.”
“Three hundred thousand calls and texts over the last year, which meant that 300,000 times where a Canadian felt they needed help in a moment of crisis, there was someone on the other end to help them,” she said Wednesday.
Elsewhere » CBC