988 Suicide Helpline Takes More Than 300K Calls, Texts in Its First Year

988 Suicide Helpline Takes More Than 300K Calls, Texts in Its First Year
A man uses a cell phone in New Orleans, La., on Aug. 11, 2019. Jenny Kane/The Associated Press
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The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health says responders have fielded more than 300,000 calls and texts since the launch of the national 988 suicide helpline a year ago.

Dr. Allison Crawford, the chief medical officer for the helpline, says people having suicidal thoughts or other mental health distress can get help 24 hours a day, seven days a week no matter where they live in Canada.