Barrie is getting behind 988, a national three-digit suicide and crisis hotline.
Councillors gave initial approval to a motion to that effect Monday night.
“Obviously, we know that with COVID-19, mental illness is definitely increased and the need for crisis lines and suicide intervention is really high,” said Coun. Natalie Harris. “So this is a really great idea. It’s already passed, so this is us saying we support it, that 988 would be the suicide crisis line across Canada.”
The federal government has passed a motion to adopt 988 as the national three-digit suicide and crisis hotline. The federal government will consolidate all existing suicide crisis numbers into one three-digit hotline.
Harris says the ongoing pandemic has increased the demand for suicide prevention services by 200 per cent, and existing suicide prevention hotlines require the user to remember a 10-digit number, and go through directories or be placed on hold.
“Even though it’s already passed, I think it’s important to draw attention to this important service,” said Coun. Keenan Aylwin. “I think we should de-stigmatize conversations about this. I think this helps with that.”
A motion that the city endorse this 988 crisis-line initiative was passed unanimously by councillors. It goes to the April 26 city council meeting to be considered for final approval.
Should that happen, a letter demonstrating Barrie’s support would be sent to Todd Doherty, MP Caribou-Prince George, Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard, Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MP Doug Shipley, Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin, Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey, federal Minister of Health Patty Hajdu, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and all Ontario municipalities.
