CRTC seeking input on three-digital mental health, suicide, crisis line

The CRTC is seeking public opinion on wether or not the regulator should establish a national three-digit number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services in an effort to quicken access to support. “When someone is having a mental health crisis, it can be very difficult to find—or remember—a 10-digit or 7-digit phone number. This can prevent someone from receiving the help they urgently need,” the CRTC wrote in its consultation document published Thursday. The CRTC -- which also regulates the telecommunications carriers who supply the network needed to direct and connect 911 calls to 911 call centres -- is inviting all interested persons to comment on whether or not there is a need for a three-digit number. It noted that such a number, 988, exists in the United States which was adopted by the FCC in July 2020 and will be fully phased-in by July 2022. According to data provided by the CRTC in its release, there are approximately 4,000 deaths by suicide in Canada every year. “With physical distancing measures in place, the pandemic’s impact on mental health is even more apparent throughout the country. Suicide-related calls, texts and chats have increased across Canada. We are asking Canadians and other interested parties for information to better understand the advantages and challenges associated with implementing a three-digit number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services,” CRTC chair Ian Scott said in the release. In addition to the whether or not a number is needed in Canada, the CRTC is also seeking input and information on how much time would it take to implement a national three-digit number; if the number should be phased in or deployed at the same across the country; if the caller’s location information be captured automatically when dialing the three-digit number; and if direct text messaging should be an option. Due to the fact that the CRTC only administers phone numbers and requires TSPs to implement three-digit numbers across Canada, its consultation will not examine matters related to the funding or governance of organizations providing mental health crisis and suicide prevention services, the regulator noted. Comments can be submitted until Sept. 1, 2021. The public can participate by filling out the online form; writing to the secretary general, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A ON2; or sending a fax to (819) 994-0218. It has been almost six months since Parliament passed a motion to create a national three-digit hotline. The Conservative Party issued a statement Thursday calling the CRTC's delay in launching the consultation “unacceptable,” noting that there was already support from mental health organizations and parliamentarians. Canadians "cannot afford any more delays when it comes to implementing a national three-digit suicide prevention hotline," read the joint statement from Conservative MPs Todd Doherty and Richard Martel. "That is why Canada’s Conservatives are calling on the Trudeau Liberals to prioritize the mental health of Canadians and implement a three-digit national suicide prevention hotline immediately without any further delays,” the statement read. Canadians experiencing mental health distress can currently get assistance by calling 1-833-456-4566, and residents of Quebec are encouraged to call 1-866-APPELLE.

CRTC seeking input on three-digital mental health, suicide, crisis line

Brief | June 3, 2021

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CRTC seeking input on three-digital mental health, suicide, crisis line

Brief | June 3, 2021

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