WELLINGTON COUNTY – Compass Community Services is marking one year of providing people in the community and across the country access to life-saving support through three easy-to-remember numbers: 9-8-8.
Since its launch on Nov. 30, 2023, trained 9-8-8 responders at Compass have had thousands of life-changing conversations with people locally and across Canada who are thinking about suicide or worried about someone they know.
Nationally, 9-8-8 responders have answered more than 300,000 calls and texts to the help line – that’s an average of around 1,000 per day.
At Compass, 9-8-8 responders have answered over 10,500 of those calls and texts since the service launched.
How it works: 9-8-8 provides urgent, live support by phone and text in English and French, 24/7, 365 days a year.
When you call or text 9-8-8, you will be connected to a trained responder at a local, provincial, or national crisis line, whoever is available first.
These responders are trained in suicide prevention and trained to listen with compassion and empathy.
They give callers and texters space to share what they’re going through without being judged, offering culturally appropriate, lifesaving supports to people in their most challenging moments.
Compass officials say they are proud to be one of 14 partner agencies in Ontario whose responders answer 9-8-8 calls and texts.
Compass added the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline to its three other daily telephone support lines – Distress Line (519-821-3760), Seniors Offering Support (519-821-3760 ext. 2), and TeleConnect Line (519-821-3760) – which answered an additional 36,753 calls and texts this past year.
“It is a privilege to be here to listen on the other end of the phone, helping people get the support they need” said Compass executive director Joanne Young Evans.
“We’re so proud of our incredible team of 9-8-8 responders, and all the lives they have saved and individuals they have supported in the last year. These calls and texts are never easy, but we are committed to being part of this life-saving service in the year to come.”
Since launching, 9-8-8 has received many heartwarming messages from people glad they took that step to call or text for help.
One caller, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared, “I called in distress. I spoke with a woman who was so kind, compassionate and attentive to me while I was speaking.
“I felt so much more stable afterwards because [she] was such a good listener.”
Suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds. An average of 4,500 people across Canada die by suicide each year – approximately 12 people per day.
“Talking about suicide can be hard – but with three simple digits, 9-8-8 is making it easier to reach out for support,” said Dr. Allison Crawford, chief medical officer of 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.
“In our second year, we want even more people to know about 9-8-8, so they can get the help they need.
“We’re asking everyone to play a part, by sharing those three simple numbers – 9-8-8 – wherever and with whoever they can.”
