Category: Updates

This story contains explicit mentions of suicidality and the impacts of suicide. 

Jessica sits on the edge of her bed, the world a blur of despair. The thoughts had been swirling for weeks, but tonight, they were deafening. “It would be better if I wasn’t here,” she whispers, tears streaming down her face. Overwhelmed and afraid, she dials 911.

Police arrive and transport Jessica to the emergency room. Jessica feels shame being walked out to the police car, and fears her neighbours will think she is being arrested. In a busy, loud emergency room, the bright lights and sterile environment do little to ease her distress. After hours of waiting, a doctor finally sees her. She recounted her thoughts, her feelings of hopelessness.

“Are you planning to harm yourself right now?” the doctor asked.

“I… don’t know,” Jessica stammered, her voice trembling.

After a brief assessment, the doctor concludes that Jessica doesn’t meet the threshold for admission. “You’re experiencing significant distress,” he tells her, “but you’re not in immediate danger. Here’s a pamphlet on mental health resources. Please follow up with your family doctor.”

Jessica is discharged, the pamphlet crumpled in her pocket. She finds her own way home, alone once more. Without any immediate follow-up or support, Jessica’s despair intensifies. She wonders if she has to actually attempt to kill herself to be taken seriously.

Another Path: The Continuum of Care 

As before, the 911 operator answers, and Jessica, through tears, tries to convey her distress. The operator, trained in crisis intervention protocols, recognizes the signs of a mental health emergency. 

“Jessica,” the operator says calmly, “I understand you’re going through a very difficult time. We want to get you the right kind of support. I’m going to connect you with the Crisis Centre of BC.”

The 911 operator facilitates a warm transfer, directly connecting Jessica to the Crisis Centre. A calm, compassionate voice answers. “Crisis Centre, how can I help you?”

Jessica pours out her heart about her fears, her feelings of hopelessness. The responder listens patiently, validating her emotions. They don’t dismiss her pain, but acknowledge its reality. They ask about her safety plan, and if she has any support people.

The responder helps her explore coping strategies, offering practical advice and emotional support. They talk about her feelings, her triggers, and her strengths. They work with her to create a safety plan.

“You’re not alone,” they reassure her. “We’re here for you. We can connect you with follow-up support, including mental health services and community resources.”

Instead of being discharged into a void, Jessica receives a referral to a community-based support program. She is offered a follow up call from the crisis line the next day. She feels seen and supported.

 The crisis line, acting as a crucial first point of contact, de-escalates the immediate crisis. The follow-up support ensures that Jessica receives the ongoing care she needs, preventing a potential suicide attempt.

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Crisis lines are available across British Columbia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know needs help, please call:

• 9-8-8 (call or text)
• 310-6789 (no area code needed)
• 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
• 604-872-3311

Posted March 28th, 2025

Written by: Signe Eriksen

A transportation agency in the Lower Mainland has partnered with the Crisis Centre to train employees with our two-day ASIST workshop. The aim is to provide workers with the skills and training to handle difficult situations that arise while on the job, as well as identifying and giving them the support necessary to process any emotions or past traumas. The partnership has proved so successful, that after running several ASIST sessions in late 2024, more have been scheduled and are underway in 2025.

Many who work with the public could benefit from taking a training like ASIST. It is not hard to imagine many types of frontline jobs in Vancouver that are not considered “first responders,” yet workers find themselves in situations where ASIST may serve as an incredibly beneficial tool.

We asked a spokesperson a few questions about their experience and motivations behind working with the Crisis Centre.

Can you describe your motivations behind partnering with the Crisis Centre of BC to provide this training?

At the beginning of trying to obtain applied suicide skills intervention training, I reviewed all possible opportunities from across Canada and US providers. Upon reviewing the qualifications and the local knowledge of the trainers from the Crisis Centre of BC, the decision became very evident that this was the provider who would deliver training at a high level of expertise, and would be able to adjust and pivot based on the diverse industry exposure that I was coordinating for.

What was your experience like working with the Crisis Centre and would you change anything?

From the moment that we started to work with the Crisis Centre, their attention to detail and passion shone through. The staff were thorough, detail-oriented, and always ensured that our needs were addressed. They worked to facilitate the best user experience possible. There is currently nothing that I would change regarding the staffing, logistics, customer service, or instructors.

What are the unique challenges faced by frontline workers in your industry in recognizing and responding to individuals in crisis?

While our frontline workers often respond to situations alongside fire, police, and ambulance personnel, they can sometimes be overlooked for the psychological impacts that they are exposed to. It takes a very progressive leader to be able to identify the vicarious trauma that can occur for those who are working alongside first responders who “didn’t sign up” for exposure to traumatic events. The unique challenge for this workforce is that they are continually exposed to the area which the trauma originated resulting in a higher likelihood of reliving the traumatic event. The key is to aid our staff in processing the emotions and feelings and get all the support they need.

How do you feel it will impact Lower Mainland communities to have your staff trained in the skills that ASIST teaches?

The worth of having trained personnel in various areas of the community in which we serve is invaluable. Knowing that if a person is in crisis, we have the resources, the aptitude, and the willingness to help those in our community. The intrinsic rewards to each of our staff knowing they can help someone in need is invaluable.

How has the training impacted your employees? Have you noticed any changes?

The training has positively impacted our staff on many levels. We have had members of our staff already utilize the ASIST skill sets they learned in the classroom and have applied it in the field. Additionally, it has brought to light that we have staff who have not yet processed unresolved traumas associated with past experiences. This has given us the opportunity to assist them in getting the resources and the supports they need, though later than they realized, and now even more valuable to process.

Has anything surprised you about how your staff has responded to having to take training related to suicide and suicide prevention?

Initially I was skeptical about some of our “old school” mentality of employees adopting this new and open way to communicate with others about mental health and providing a positive environment in which to process crises. The uptake in our organization and the promotion of this course to their peers has been uplifting and a welcome change in the overall culture of our organization.

What are the long-term goals for this partnership and how do you envision expanding or improving the training program in the future?

Initially, the training has been focused on frontline staff that have immediate day-to-day interactions with customers; the proposed future direction is to expand this to all staff. Additionally, we are looking to have this as a mandatory prerequisite for those who are hired into a role that has the potential to be exposed to trauma or crisis events.

What advice would you give to other workplaces that serve the public, who are considering implementing similar training programs?

My advice to other workplaces that are looking to provide not only support to their staff, but to have an impact in our communities is to realize that when we want to be the catalyst for change we can be that small pebble in a pond that creates huge ripple effects In our community. I highly encourage everyone to look at this as an asset for not only your staff but those who could benefit from the outcomes of this training.

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Supporting those in crisis benefits entire communities. In times like these, where a growing number of mental health care needs remain unmet, it becomes increasingly important for everyone, including workers who interact directly with the public, to recognize when another person is in crisis, and to know how to respond. One way we can help each other and ourselves is by learning how to deal with crises in our everyday lives – even in the workplace.

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Crisis lines are available across British Columbia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know needs help, please call:

• 9-8-8 (call or text)
• 310-6789 (no area code needed)
• 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
• 604-872-3311

 

If you are interested in learning suicide prevention skills, you can:

Learn more about ASIST training

See all our trainings

Posted February 19th, 2025

Written by: Jeffrey Liu

This story contains explicit mentions of suicidality and the impacts of suicide. 

Angela Kyle is an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) instructor with the Crisis Centre of BC. Since joining the organization in 2017, Angela has led upwards of one hundred ASIST training sessions, providing thousands of individuals with the invaluable ability to preserve lives in their communities. Her dedication to her role as a trainer is a result of her commitment to benevolence; her kindness is obvious through her interest in others and willingness to lend an ear, however and whenever.

Beneath her happy-go-lucky façade is an extraordinary story of strength, one that the Crisis Centre of BC has had the privilege of contributing to. She champions a forthright approach to handling instances of suicidality, encouraging us to address any suspicions of suicidal intentions in others without hesitance. By asking others about their emotions, we can demonstrate a willingness to help make sense of them.

Understand her philosophy and meet this plainclothes hero as we explore her connections to herself, her community, and the Centre.

 

What is ASIST?

ASIST is a two-day suicide intervention workshop. It covers topics such as – how do you know if someone’s thinking about suicide? How do you ask them if they’re thinking about it? What do I do if they say yes? How do I help them find a way to care for themselves?

Standard protocol regarding suicidality is to call the police and have them taken to a hospital to be seen by a doctor. However, the hospital is not equipped to handle cases of suicidality. They may perform a risk assessment, but even if someone states, ‘I’m going to end my life if you let me leave’, there’s not always a spot for them in the hospital. So they are often sent away, still feeling suicidal. Eventually, emergency services will be involved again. They will be taken to the hospital where they will not receive any further help; the cycle continues. ASIST presents an alternative, by means of empathetic conversation. What got you to thinking about suicide? And to listen, not problem solve, just hear their story. Many people don’t get the opportunity to be heard, but once they have it they feel this great relief.

Once they feel that relief, we ask what is it that you’re thinking about now? And they naturally begin to find their own reasons for wanting to live. From there, we discuss how to build a safe plan with them. In case those thoughts do return, we establish options to navigate them.  The goal of an intervention is not to prevent all suicidal thoughts. It’s that if they do happen again, they’re going to come back for another intervention. They lived through it this time, so if the thoughts return, they’ll come back again for another one.

How did you initially get involved with the ASIST program?

I’m from Ontario and I started with the crisis centre in Niagara where they taught ASIST to all their volunteers. At the time, my partner struggled with her mental health and needed interventions so I stepped in and conducted quite a few with her. She continued to struggle with suicidal thoughts off and on over the span of four years. Some of our friends enrolled in ASIST training so that they could offer her support of their own. Unfortunately, she did end up taking her life, which was devastating.

But I believe if we didn’t have so many people around us that knew how to have a conversation with her about it, we would have lost her that first year. We got four extra years with her because we were able to use ASIST techniques with her.

After she passed, some of our friends believed she was selfish for acting on her emotions and frustrated for the trouble she caused. Of those friends, some began to find themselves contradicting their thoughts and having their own considerations of suicide. For me, this highlighted the fact that every time we did an intervention, we prevented the people close to us from having a reason to think about suicide. Interventions don’t just protect the individual. When you keep one person alive, you are also protecting the people and communities around them.

What drives you to continue working with the Crisis Centre of BC?

Hearing people come back and say, “Wow, I used this the very next day.” Validation that suicide happens and it’s best to be prepared for when it does.

People walk out and they say, “Thank you. I thought this was going to be the worst two days of my life and you made it fun.” I feel good leaving knowing that nobody’s walking out drained, exhausted, or bitter about attending. Instead, they find enjoyment in the process; when it’s over they’re talking to their friends, families, and colleagues spreading their enthusiasm about getting involved.

It’s not burdensome work, especially when you take good care of yourself. At the end of each day, we tell trainees their only homework is to set aside at least 10 minutes for self-care; to do something for yourself, something that just makes you feel good. This is also a chance to remind myself that prioritizing yourself is necessary to be an attentive and intentional caregiver.

What takeaway do you want everyone to absorb regarding suicide prevention?

Don’t be afraid to ask someone if they’re thinking about suicide. If you ever have any suspicion, any tinge in the back of your mind suggesting someone is having thoughts of suicide – even if for two seconds – you’re picking up on something. Ask the question. Even if the person says no, you’ve planted a seed. By addressing it, you’ve indicated that you are open to talking about it. You’ve let them know that if they ever find themselves thinking about suicide, they can come to you. Ask the question. Plant the seed.

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Crisis lines are available across British Columbia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know needs help, please call:

• 9-8-8 (call or text)
• 310-6789 (no area code needed)
• 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
• 604-872-3311

 

If you are interested in learning suicide prevention skills, you can:

Learn more about ASIST training

See all our trainings

Talking about suicide can be incredibly difficult, but it’s one of the most important conversations we can have. The words we use matter: choosing the right language can help someone feel understood and supported, and is the first step in creating suicide-safer communities.

Many people may struggle with how to approach the topic, unsure of what to say or how to provide support without causing harm. Recognizing the right words not only helps reduce the stigma surrounding suicide but also shows people that their feelings are valid and worthy of support.

We’ve created a downloadable, free, easy-to-use Suicide-Safe Language Poster to guide you in talking about suicide with compassion and care. This resource is designed to help you know exactly what to say and what to avoid, whether you’re talking to a loved one, a friend, or someone you’re supporting in a professional capacity.

Why this Matters:

The language we use when discussing suicide can have a huge impact. According to research, talking to people about suicide in the context of care, respect, and prevention, does not increase their risk of suicidal ideation or suicidal behaviours and may in fact lower it. Research indicates that talking openly and responsibly about suicide lets someone know they do not have to be alone, that there are people who want to listen and who want to help. When we use the right language, we can help someone feel supported, connected, and show them that they are safe and will not be judged or stigmatized for sharing their feelings. 

What’s on the Poster:

• Practical tips on what to say and what to avoid are examples of supportive language that open up conversations and make people feel heard.
• Simple, clear guidance anyone can follow, whether you’re a mental health professional, a family member, or a friend.

Download the Poster Now:

Suicide Language Poster (11 x 17″)

Suicide Language Poster (11 x 17″) (version 2)

Suicide Language Poster (8.5 x 11″)

Suicide Language Poster (8.5x 11″) (version 2)

We encourage you to share this resource with your community to help spread understanding, compassion, and hope. Together, we can reduce the stigma around suicide and create a safer environment for everyone.

Posted January 20th, 2025

Written by: Susan Angel

Educating youth in mental health helps them to become miniature educators themselves, Paul Vincent observes.

With a voice that resonates warmth and eyes that twinkle with energy, 55-year-old Paul embodies the spirit of a lifelong volunteer, seamlessly blending service into the rhythm of his life. As a kid, he performed puppet shows in a hospital when his close friend was being treated for cancer and has also volunteered in a women’s centre. He has been with the Crisis Centre since September 2023, and to date has conducted about twenty-five workshops in schools, about two to three times per month.

What initially drew you to volunteer with the Crisis Centre of BC, specifically as a Youth Educator?

I was involved in the Jeep community for over ten years, raising money for breast cancer research, including emceeing events, selling merchandise, and spreading good cheer overall. But I wanted to volunteer in a more personal and direct way. Having suffered from depression when I was young and having attempted suicide at age 29, I now understand that if I had had help during this period, my younger adult life would have been far less difficult. Searching online, I discovered that the Crisis Centre was looking for volunteers for adult and youth programs. I have a young heart and naturally resonate with young people, so I intuitively knew that the youth position would be perfect for me. A lot of emotional damage can occur before a youth reaches adulthood. The sooner we reach them, the more we can impact their emotional wellbeing.

How do you balance your volunteer activities with your day job?

I have a great job working the night shift in a transportation company yard and have a second part time job. I’m also a podcaster working with a close-knit team, and this too takes up a lot of my time. It was initially difficult to find a comfortable schedule, but Lana, our education coordinator, was highly accommodating and arranged my shifts for Mondays, when I have had a good night’s rest.

Have you been on the Crisis Centre phone lines yourself?

I would really like to do that, but unfortunately, I was unable to make it work with my work schedule. I did take the SafeTALK course, from which I learned how to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to support to help keep them safe. This course was necessary and has helped me in many ways.

What does a typical day look like for you as a youth educator and what are some of the key topics you cover?

We conduct workshops for classes of eighteen to thirty students and we are constrained to 40-to-90-minute blocks. Our coordinator arranges school timeslots, and we see one class at a time.

Self-Care for Mental Health is the workshop we offer for grades 6 through 12 students. The objective is to inform students that everyone experiences varying degrees of mental health issues, and that there is no shame in this. We do not yet discuss suicide in this workshop, and we keep the activities interactive to keep the students engaged. For example, the “weighed down” activity is effective for showing that worries can weigh us down, like a bag of heavy rocks. The physical weights are a metaphor for the emotional weights we carry, which may involve school, family, social life, sexuality, or even financial issues. The students are keen and smart, and themselves offer solutions, such as confiding in a friend or getting professional help. We are always mindful of our goal, which is to create an awareness of mental health, to remember that we all deal with it to varying degrees, and that we can adopt self-care habits to maintain our mental health.

It’s Okay Not To Be OK is the workshop we offer for grades 9 through 12. The objectives are to learn what a mental health crisis is, how to identify one in another person, and how to support that person, should the need arise. We discuss self- stigma, and how we can often be our own worst enemies. One of the most important pieces of information we deliver in our workshops is the existence of the 9-8-8 help line. It is Canada-wide and can connect the caller with immediate mental health services, in much the way that 911 operates.

How do you create a safe and open environment for youth?

Young people know genuine. They are looking for tools. As educators, we begin each workshop by sharing a story from our past when we have felt emotionally vulnerable. Students naturally trust us knowing that we are volunteers, and they sense that we speak from the heart. They know that we give these workshops because we want to, not because we have to, and this impacts them.

How can we empower young people to seek help and support when they need it?

I think, normalizing the existence of mental health issues, and getting rid of the stigma that comes with them is the number one thing.

Can you describe a moment when you realized the impact your work was having?

We don’t always see a visible impact at our workshops because our time with the students is brief. At one school, we were presented with a card the teens created and all signed, which felt great. What is most satisfying, though, is to know that when the students walk out of a workshop, we have turned each one into a miniature educator. They will have learned what a crisis is, how to recognize a crisis, how not to brush it off, and how to find help. This makes me feel that I have accomplished something important. This work has also impacted my personal life by giving me the ability to support others. Knowing about my involvement in this program, acquaintances have often sought my help, and I’ve been more than happy to give it. I’ve spent hours talking with them and have encouraged them to visit a counsellor for emotional support or treatment when necessary. All of this stems from having taken the SafeTALK course and becoming an educator.

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering with the Crisis Centre?

I hope that people want to jump in and volunteer. It’s one of the most rewarding things you can ever do. It’s a tough time to be alive, but it doesn’t take much to be kind. Even the smallest thing can help somebody, and it’s ok not to be ok. Working on the crisis line is not for everyone. It depends on good mental health and state of mind. To help others, we must know how to help ourselves.

Paul reminds us that while helping others can be deeply rewarding, it requires compassion, awareness, and the ability to care for oneself. For those ready to take that step, it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful difference, one small act of care at a time.

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Learn more about:

Training programs for youth

Becoming a Youth Educator Volunteer

Becoming a Crisis Services Volunteer

How to get the 15% discount:

For Individuals: Visit our training page, use promo code ‘15yearend‘ at checkout to pre-register for a course. Only applicable to Individual Standard Rates. 

For Organizations: Please fill out this form and mention the promotion. Training sessions must be booked by March 31, 2025, and completed within 12 months, to qualify for the discount.

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Whether you want to create a more supportive workplace, or level up your own skills and keep your community safe, the Crisis Centre has a training program for you. We offer a range of impactful training programs to help:

• Destigmatize suicide and mental health: Foster open conversations and create a more inclusive environment
• Strengthen intervention and de-escalation skills: Learn how to effectively respond to crises and support individuals in need
• Facilitate resilience and hope: Equip your team with the tools to support each other and their community
• Promote wellbeing: Develop skills and strategies to prevent stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue

 

Which training courses are included?

Skillfully Responding to Distress

Skillfully Responding to Distress is a half-day workshop that teaches participants how to respond to and de-escalate emotional distress for a person in crisis.

Who is Skillfully Responding to Distress for?
This training is most suitable for participants 15 years and older, who have little to no formal training in counselling or for those seeking a refresher. Typical attendees include professionals working in situations where they need to respond to challenging situations, including social service workers, medical assistants, insurance client representatives, youth workers, call centre staff, and administration.

Learn more and register for Skillfully Responding to Distress

 

safeTALK

safeTALK is a half-day in-person training that teaches participants how to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to support to help keep them safe.

Who is safeTALK for?
safeTALK is suitable for individuals 15 and older. It is ideal for all types of community members, including first responders, teachers, youth workers, housing support, faith communities, parents/families, and community members interested in learning how to respond to suicide.

“The world needs more opportunities to make suicide a safer, less taboo topic.” — safeTALK participant

Learn more and register for safeTALK

 

ASIST

ASIST is the world’s leading suicide intervention training and an empowering program that promotes a whole community response to suicide prevention.

In this 2-day in-person workshop, you will learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone safe. 98% of attendees highly recommend this training.

Who is ASIST for?
ASIST is suitable for individuals aged 16 and older. Common participants include counsellors, health care workers, first responders, faith leaders, youth workers, and immigrant and refugee settlement workers.

“This workshop was great. It made me feel prepared and also gave me a space to talk about suicide without shame/judgment which is really needed.” — ASIST participant

Learn more and register for ASIST

 

 

 

Vancouver, BC — January 08, 2025 – Voluntary, community-based supports are the only way to ensure proposed involuntary care measures have a chance to succeed.

Stacy Ashton, Executive Director of the Crisis Centre of BC, emphasized the importance of a full spectrum of crisis support:

“It’s common sense to roll out voluntary supports alongside involuntary measures, or you’ll fill 20 beds up on day one and have made no real difference.”

The Crisis Centre of BC, along with nine other crisis centres across the Province, answers the 310-6789 mental health crisis line and 1800SUICIDE line. “We are already part way to on-demand community-based crisis support. The Province has invested in crisis lines and our call answer rate has increased by 46% as a result. Crisis mobile response teams featuring mental health and peer support are available in 33 communities. These measures work, but are not yet funded to answer every single call or able to send teams to support folks 24/7. The cost of community-based support is tiny compared to the cost of building institutions, but one cannot succeed without the other.”

The announcement of two secure involuntary care sites set to open in Surrey and Maple Ridge is meant to provide care for the small subset of people needing urgent mental health and addiction care. “We hear from folks before involuntary care, during involuntary care, and after involuntary care – we hear everything on the lines. Involuntary care is preventable with community-based supports, and community-based supports are what people need to be successful upon release. Quite simply, we cannot afford to keep people in involuntary care forever, so we have to ensure people have supports on the outside as well.”

Media Contact
Stacy Ashton
Executive Director, Crisis Centre of BC
sashton@crisiscentre.bc.ca 

The months leading to the New Year is a time of giving, connection, and hope. At the Crisis Centre of BC, we’re reminded daily of the incredible generosity of supporters like you who bring light to those facing their darkest moments.

This year, we’re navigating a unique challenge. 

With the current disruption to mail services, many of our valued donors may not receive our traditional holiday card—a meaningful reminder to give.

This uncertainty makes your online support today more crucial than ever.

Every donation you make helps ensure that we can continue to provide 24/7 crisis support, education programs, and a lifeline for those in need. And this year, we’re asking for just a little extra help. By donating earlier and giving a bit more than usual, you can help close the donation gap we are expecting.

Please give today.

Your timely support can make a world of difference to someone in crisis today.

With gratitude,

Stacy
Executive Director

Volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission: not only do they keep the Centre running, they provide life-affirming support on our crisis lines and to our communities every single day.

On Friday, August 23rd, we had a chance to express our gratitude at our Volunteer Appreciation Jamboree at Trout Lake Park. This annual event is a heartfelt celebration of the incredible individuals who contribute their time and passion to our cause.

Our sincere gratitude to the following businesses whose generosity made the event extra special:

The not so early bird

Brassneck Brewing

Burgoo

Hime Sushi

Modo Yoga

Pedal Society

Rain or Shine

The Rio Theatre

Rhythm City

Cycle Vancouver

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If you would like to join Crisis Centre’s team of volunteers, check out our website for the full listing of volunteer opportunities and application information.

Last year, we reported that the Crisis Centre of BC, in partnership with the BC Crisis Line Network, was working to bring about changes to our systems to ensure British Columbians receive the right kind of suicide intervention and mental health crisis care.

This year, we took a crucial step towards providing better access to mental health crisis care for all, with the integration of local centres across the network onto the same phone system, allowing calls to be routed between them.

For years, we have worked to ensure that no call is left unanswered, that nobody is left waiting or met with a voicemail inbox in their moment of need. In September 2023 we onboarded onto the Provincial Health Services Authority’s new call centre, alongside nine other BC crisis centres. Now, if a particular crisis centre is experiencing a high volume of calls, another centre within the network provides seamless backup support. This ensures that people in crisis receive timely help, even during peak hours. The network also fosters knowledge sharing and collaboration between crisis centres, meaning we can continue to improve the quality and appropriateness of support we provide.

In BC, we moved from a 43% answer rate for incoming calls to a 76% answer rate in only six months.

In November 2023, we also onboarded onto the national 9-8-8 platform, joining 40 crisis centres across Canada to provide immediate support to folks dealing with suicidal thoughts or actions. The 9-8-8 service has been receiving 1,000 calls and 450 texts every single day, and we have answered calls from people in distress as close as our neighbourhood and as distant as Newfoundland. The bottom line is, these calls get answered because crisis line responders are available. 

9-8-8 offers bilingual, culturally appropriate support, and an easy-to-remember number, ensuring a broader reach to those who may not have known about previous helplines. 

 

Building a Stronger Safety Net for Crisis

The launch of the provincial crisis line network and the national 9-8-8 suicide crisis hotline are significant strides towards a more effective crisis response system. However, the road ahead requires further collaboration.

Here in British Columbia, we continue to work towards a more coordinated crisis response continuum, a comprehensive approach that prioritizes early intervention and community-based support. 

A crisis care continuum maximizes the autonomy of the person in crisis by providing alternatives to police and psychiatric intervention, which is often the default for crisis intervention today. We believe in a system that helps the person in crisis decide their next steps in the least restrictive way, and minimizes the trauma inherent in coercive approaches to care.

The ideal continuum includes:

• 24/7 accessible crisis hotlines, chat, and text services: These would offer immediate intervention and serve as the entry point for further support within the continuum.
• Civilian-led mobile crisis response teams: These teams would be equipped to address crises directly in the community; in communities using civilian-led teams, police interventions are almost never necessary.
• Community-based crisis respite facilities: These facilities, separate from hospitals and jails, would provide safe havens for those in crisis; when community-based crisis respite is in place, only 2% of individuals who flow through the crisis care continuum require psychiatric hospitalization.
• Wraparound crisis follow-up and care: This ensures individuals receive ongoing community-based support after a crisis event.

The national suicide crisis line is a step in the right direction. To further streamline crisis care and minimize police involvement in mental health situations, we advocate for:

• Ensuring all BC 9-8-8 calls are answered in BC.
• Clear criteria for directing calls from 9-1-1 and police non-emergency lines to crisis lines, ensuring individuals connect with the most appropriate resources.
• Expanding the use of 310-6789, BC’s crisis line, as a public access point for dispatching mobile crisis teams across the province, as public feedback suggests.

By working together to implement a comprehensive crisis response continuum, we can build a more robust safety net for those in need.