The Canadian Mental Health Association is among the groups that would get behind a three-digit suicide hotline in Canada. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Three-Digit Suicide Hotline

CMHA say Canada should follow U.S. lead on three-digit suicide hotline

Jul 22, 2022 | 5:00 PM

According to the Canadian government, more than ten people a day die by suicide in Canada. To help bring that number down, some advocates are in favor of adopting an idea from our southern neighbours.

The United States launched a three-digit suicide hotline last weekend. Those who dial 988 will be connected directly to mental health counselors.

“I think, with a dedicated line, it’s going to streamline the process,” said Doug Kinar, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Prince Albert branch. “Anybody calling it, we already know now why they’re calling. That’s going to make the communication process that’s much easier.”

Having the three-digit extension specifically for suicide help would mean someone dedicated specifically to suicide prevention would be answering the phone. Having that appropriate training could save lives.

“I think because it’s accessible, it’s confidential, and it’s dedicated, they’re not having to go through all hoops and hurdles trying to find the help that they need,” Kinar said. “As soon as they phone, they’re on the line for the help they need.”

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Most of the processes for helping people struggling with suicidal thoughts right now have a process to assess for suicide. This removes the need for that assessment, since someone phoning directly would automatically need help with suicide.

“Someone who is having thoughts of suicide is lost in their thoughts and quite often don’t have the capacity to communicate what’s really going on,” said Kinar. “If you’re calling a crisis line or anything else, they’ve got to get all the way through the process to find out if they’re having thoughts of suicide.”

Kinar also pointed out an aspect of the hotline people might not immediately consider: if someone is having thoughts of suicide, the knowledge that there is somewhere for them to turn might help them even if they never actually pick up the phone.

“Having the hotline available, that’s the ray of light everybody needs to know there’s some hope out there,” said Kinar. “They may not even engage in the call itself, knowing that when they’re ready, they could… We can go a little further if we know somebody is going to help us.”

Kinar added that, in a real-world analogy, if he’s carrying things around his yard what he can carry when he’s by himself and what he carries when he knows help is available are two different loads.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP