Canada’s new 988 suicide crisis helpline launched at 9 a.m. on Thursday (November 30). In the Kawarthas region, calls and texts will be answered by workers with the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR).
People across Canada who are experiencing a mental health crisis — or who know someone who is — and need immediate support can call or text 988.
Similar to 911 for emergency services, 988 is an easy-to-remember three digit code where people can get free confidential and non-judgmental support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Calls and texts to 988 will be directed to a network of 39 community partners across the country that offer suicide prevention services such as counselling. Funded by the federal government, the 988 helpline is available in English and French.
In the Kawarthas region, CMHA HKPR was selected as the local provider, which means people calling or texting from an area code in Peterborough, Haliburton, Northumberland, and Kawartha Lakes will be routed to local workers at CMHA HKPR’s call centre in downtown Peterborough.
Along with the launch of the 988 helpline, CMHA HKPR has restructured its Four County Crisis (4CC) service as part of a new integrated crisis intervention service model. The Four County Crisis line at 705-745-6484 has now become the direct line for CMHA HKPR’s Safe Beds program and after-hours housing support.
The Safe Beds program is a safe and supportive environment in a home setting that helps those 16 years of age and older decrease or alleviate their crisis through services that are sensitive to individual needs. If people in a mental health crisis call the former Four County Crisis line, they will receive a message to hang up and call 988.
CMHA HKPR’s new integrated crisis intervention service model also includes eight more brief services mental health workers who will be located across the four counties (brief services are quick or short-term sessions to address immediate needs).
The new model also includes moving the Safe Beds facility from a residential neighbourhood to downtown Peterborough and increasing the bed capacity with an opportunity for transitional housing.
