‘Dealing With a Lot:’ Suicide Crisis Calls Mount During COVID-19 Pandemic

A suicide prevention phone is seen on the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge in North Vancouver on May 10, 2012. The Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward

CALGARY—Hannah Storrs has needed to take more breaks than usual during her shifts on a 24-hour crisis line as the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies the struggles of those reaching out for help.

Distress Centre Calgary says suicide-related calls, texts and chats were up 66 percent in October compared with the same month in 2019.