Can children access the helpline?
Children and young adults can also call into the 988 helpline and receive specialized support.
If a young person is not comfortable speaking with a parent or guardian, the 988 responder will assist them to figure out who else in their life they might feel safe confiding in, CAMH said.
Ernst said adding the text-based option to the 988 helpline will particularly benefit young people, who are spending “unprecedented amounts of time” on their smartphones.
“Unfortunately, when we spend too much time on the internet and social media, it trains unhealthy mental, social and emotional habits,” he said. “And so I look at the presence of a text line and a phone line like this as one of those added resources that young people can use … when perhaps they’re stuck online or caught in a rabbit hole of an algorithm.”
What happens when you call 988?
The hotline is available to anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worrying about someone they know, according to CAMH, adding that anyone who reaches out to 988 will be assessed for suicide risk.
People can call or text multiple times, depending on the support they need.
Once a person calls, a brief recorded message will let them know they are in the right place.
They will then be able to choose options to get the best support, including age, language preference (English or French) and whether they are Indigenous or not.
Following this, an important message about privacy and a link for additional information will be conveyed. It is up to the caller to provide how much or little personal information they share.
Security controls, including encryption and authentication, are in place to protect all personal information, CAMH said.
Once connected to a responder, the person will experience a safe space to talk, receiving empathy and assistance in developing strategies to establish safety during overwhelming moments.
Just as a warning - if you are in actual distress and call a suicide hotline, the cops may decide you’re better off in a psych ward… Would not recommend.
