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Dial 988 for help: Canada launches nationwide suicide crisis helpline

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Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults (aged 15 to 34 years) in Canada. Many of today’s young people are grappling with extraordinary circumstances, from pervasive mental health struggles to financial hardships to challenging peer or family relationships. These stressors can impact mental, emotional and physical well-being such that the challenges feel insurmountable, leading some to take their own life. 

While the pandemic certainly exacerbated mental health issues, the struggles aren’t going away even as it wanes. According to Dr. Stacey Bélanger, who is on the Canadian Pediatric Society’s mental health task force and works in pediatric mental health at Sainte-Justine Hospital in Montreal, post-COVID-19 studies reveal there is a mental health crisis impacting children and youth. One survey found that approximately 20% of youth respondents rated their mental health as either “poor” or “bad,” which is double the pre-pandemic number. In response, the physician who conducted the research said, “To me, this is really alarming and we need to be aware of that and to do something to support these young people.”

The key question is, “What can we do to support young people?” Here are some strategies and resources for educators that can help support suicide prevention efforts in school communities.

Understanding who’s at risk

Mental health issues are largely invisible, which can make it difficult for educators and families to see when a student is struggling. The use of assessments to screen for depression, suicide ideation, and hopelessness is an excellent method of identifying kids at risk of suicide because it enables early identification of at-risk students. However, knowing the warning signs can also be helpful. The Public Health Agency of Canada shares the following behaviours that may suggest someone is at risk of suicide:

  • Thinking or talking about suicide.
  • Having a plan for suicide.
  • Withdrawal from family, friends or activities.
  • Feeling like you have no purpose in life or reason for living.
  • Increasing substance use, such as drugs, alcohol and inhalants.
  • Feeling trapped or that there's no other way out of a situation.
  • Feeling hopeless about the future or feeling like life will never get better.
  • Talking about being a burden to someone or about being in unbearable pain.
  • Anxiety or significant mood changes, such as anger, sadness or helplessness.

Educators regularly interact with their students, which places them in a unique position to watch for red flags that could indicate mental distress. In addition, they play a vital role in creating a welcoming, supportive school community that acknowledges each student and can make a difference for those who need help.

Talk Suicide Canada points to a number of protective factors — personal or environmental factors that protect against suicide risk — that schools can encourage and help students build. These include resilience, problem-solving skills, access to trauma-informed care and exposure to programs that prevent suicide.

A new resource debuts: 988 can help save lives

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) found that securing mental health services can be challenging, with nearly half of young people who sought mental health support saying it was difficult to access. The launch of 988 — a new nationwide suicide crisis helpline available to all Canadians in English and French, 24 hours a day, seven days a week — on November 30, 2023, is a step toward improving access to help for Canadians struggling with mental health challenges.

First proposed in December 2020 and passed unanimously by the House of Commons, the helpline was formally announced in August 2022 and mirrors a similar 988 suicide crisis line that the United States rolled out in July 2022. Through it, callers and texters can access trauma-informed and culturally appropriate services offered by trained crisis responders. Carolyn Bennett, Canada’s former mental health and addictions minister, said the helpline will “provide an immediate, confidential, and judgement-free suicide prevention support for Canadians in need — when they need it most.”

Once the helpline launches on November 30, sharing the 988 number frequently can help ensure students and their families are aware of this potentially life-saving resource. Until then, there are other resources available you can offer, including:

Supporting students through mental health challenges

Now is the time for communities to come together and embrace the need to support those with mental health issues through positive, nurturing interactions at home and school. By breaking the silence around suicide, we can begin to offer hope and help to those who need it.

For more resources and information, visit the Pearson Mental Health Resource Centre.

Dr. Laine Bradshaw, PhD, Vice President of Classroom Solutions, Pearson

Mental Health Resource Centre

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