Crisis Help: Canada
If you’re in crisis right now, you’re not alone. Help is available immediately, free, and confidential.
⚠️ Content note: This page discusses suicide, abuse, self-harm, and violence. If this is overwhelming right now, you can just call the number below. You don’t have to read everything.
🚨 RIGHT NOW: Call This Number
Section titled “🚨 RIGHT NOW: Call This Number”988 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Section titled “988 Suicide Crisis Helpline”Phone: Call or text 988
Hours: 24/7, 365 days a year
Cost: FREE
Languages: English and French (phone interpretation in other languages may be available on request)
What happens:
- Free, confidential support
- Trained responders
- Suicide crisis intervention
- Can help if you’re worried about someone else too
- 988 contacts emergency services only if you are at risk of dying or seriously harming yourself, and tries safety planning first
Other Crisis Options (Choose What Works for You)
Section titled “Other Crisis Options (Choose What Works for You)”Mental Health Crisis
Section titled “Mental Health Crisis”988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988 (24/7)
- Mental health and suicide support
- Bilingual (English/French)
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988 (24/7)
- Mental health and substance use support
- Available in multiple provinces
- Available 24/7 in English and French (Wellness Together Canada closed April 2024)
Suicidal Thoughts
Section titled “Suicidal Thoughts”988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988 (24/7)
- Specifically for suicide prevention
Kids Help Phone (Under 20): 1-800-668-6868 (24/7)
- For youth under 20
- Text: CONNECT to 686868
Abuse or Violence
Section titled “Abuse or Violence”Domestic Violence:
- Call 911 or go to nearest safe place
- Local domestic violence shelter (search online for your area)
Sexual Assault:
- Call 911 or go to nearest hospital
- Talk to staff about sexual assault options
Youth Crisis (Under 20)
Section titled “Youth Crisis (Under 20)”Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (24/7)
- Free confidential support
- 100+ languages with interpretation
- Text: CONNECT to 686868
LGBTQ+ Crisis
Section titled “LGBTQ+ Crisis”Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366 (Monday-Friday 10am-6pm PT)
- Trans and non-binary support
- Run by trans people
- Does not contact police
Indigenous Crisis (All Indigenous People)
Section titled “Indigenous Crisis (All Indigenous People)”Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310 (24/7)
- Culturally competent, trauma-informed
- Available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut
- Specifically trained in Indigenous mental health
Disability-Specific Crisis Support
Section titled “Disability-Specific Crisis Support”Easter Seals Canada: 1-877-376-6362
- Services for people with physical disabilities
- Can connect to support
Learning Disabilities Association of Canada: 613-238-5721
- Support for learning disabilities and ADHD
Substance Use Crisis
Section titled “Substance Use Crisis”988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988 (24/7)
- Substance use + mental health support
- Treatment referrals
By Province/Territory
Section titled “By Province/Territory”All provinces use 988 as primary number. Here are regional options:
British Columbia
Section titled “British Columbia”- Crisis Line: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
- Vancouver: 604-872-3311
Alberta
Section titled “Alberta”- Use 988 (national number)
- Calgary: 403-943-1500
- Edmonton: 780-424-2424
Saskatchewan
Section titled “Saskatchewan”- Mobile Crisis Unit: 306-966-3000
- Saskatoon: 306-933-4357
Manitoba
Section titled “Manitoba”- Crisis Support: 1-877-435-4789
Ontario
Section titled “Ontario”- ConnexOntario: 1-800-663-2121
Quebec
Section titled “Quebec”- Suicide Action: 1-888-APPELLE (1-888-277-3553)
Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland/Labrador)
Section titled “Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland/Labrador)”- Use 988
- Check provincial health ministry websites for regional numbers
Emergency: Life-Threatening
Section titled “Emergency: Life-Threatening”Immediate life-threatening danger:
- Call 911 for ambulance and police
- Go to nearest emergency room
What to Say When You Call
Section titled “What to Say When You Call”You don’t need perfect words. Just say:
- “I’m in crisis”
- “I’m thinking about suicide”
- “I need to talk to someone”
Counselors are trained to help. Your words don’t need to be perfect.
Accessibility & Contact Methods
Section titled “Accessibility & Contact Methods”For Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Section titled “For Deaf/Hard of Hearing”- TTY services: Available on some hotlines
- Text services: 988 (text option), Kids Help Phone (686868)
- Video relay: Available on some services
For French Speakers
Section titled “For French Speakers”- 988 available in French
- Quebec Suicide Action: 1-888-277-3553
- Most major hotlines have French options
For Indigenous Languages
Section titled “For Indigenous Languages”- Hope for Wellness: Available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut
For Multiple Languages
Section titled “For Multiple Languages”- Kids Help Phone: 100+ languages with interpretation
- 988: Multiple languages
For People Who Can’t Speak
Section titled “For People Who Can’t Speak”- Text services: 988 (text), Kids Help Phone (text CONNECT to 686868)
- Hope for Wellness offers online chat at hopeforwellness.ca
After You Call
Section titled “After You Call”Crisis lines help you get through RIGHT NOW. After that:
Finding Ongoing Support
Section titled “Finding Ongoing Support”Talk to your doctor:
- GP can refer you to mental health services
- Ask about mental health coverage
Provincial mental health services:
- Contact your provincial health ministry
- Most provinces have mental health crisis teams
Find a therapist:
- Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association: ccpa-accp.ca
- Canadian Psychological Association: cpa.ca
Important Information
Section titled “Important Information”Most services listed are free, but cost and hours vary by service — check each one. 988 and Kids Help Phone are free.
Confidentiality
Section titled “Confidentiality”These lines are confidential. 988 contacts emergency services only when you are at risk of dying or seriously harming yourself, and responders try safety planning first.
Many services run 24/7, but some have limited hours — check each listing.
You Can Call Multiple Times
Section titled “You Can Call Multiple Times”Many people use crisis services multiple times. That’s normal.
You’re Not “Sick Enough” to Call
Section titled “You’re Not “Sick Enough” to Call”If you’re asking: “Am I bad enough to call?” → You are. Call.
Related Resources
Section titled “Related Resources”Confirm each number with the service before calling; details can change.
In crisis right now? Call or text 988. Everything else can wait.
Cost, confidentiality, and hours vary by service — check each listing.
Contribute to This Page
Section titled “Contribute to This Page”Have lived experience or expertise that could strengthen this page? We especially welcome perspectives on models not well represented here, including those from the Global South and Indigenous communities.
This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by disabled-led organizing globally. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.