Why Crisis Resources Matter
Mental health crises do not follow a schedule. They happen at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday. They happen in the middle of a family dinner. They happen quietly, without warning, and often without anyone nearby who knows what to do.
Knowing where to turn before a crisis happens can be the difference between getting through a terrible night and a tragedy. At Threshold Clinic, we hear this from clients regularly. People describe moments where they did not reach out because they did not know the right number to call. That is something we can fix right now.
This guide covers every major crisis resource in Canada as of 2026. We explain how each service works, who it is designed for and exactly when to use it. Save this page. Share it with someone you love.
The 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Canada launched the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline as a dedicated three-digit number for people experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress. You call or text 988 from anywhere in Canada, any time of day or night, 365 days a year.
The line connects you with a trained crisis responder. You do not need to be actively suicidal to call. Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless or unable to cope is enough of a reason. The responder will listen without judgment and help you figure out your next step.
How 988 Works
When you dial or text 988, you are connected to a crisis centre in your region. The responder speaks with you in real time. Calls are confidential. You can hang up whenever you want. If you prefer texting, that option exists too and works the same way.
French language service is available nationwide. The service also connects callers to Indigenous-specific support when requested. No referral is needed and there is no cost to call or text.
Who Should Use 988
- Anyone having thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Anyone feeling so overwhelmed they do not know how to keep going
- Family members or friends worried about someone they love
- People who just need to talk to someone trained in mental health crisis support
988 is not just for the most severe moments. If you are unsure whether your situation is serious enough, call anyway. That uncertainty itself is a reason to reach out.
Provincial and Territorial Crisis Lines
Before 988 launched, provinces and territories built their own crisis infrastructure. Those lines still exist and remain valuable. Some offer services tailored specifically to their region's population, language needs or local referral networks.
Key Provincial Lines Across Canada
Ontario: Distress and Crisis Ontario connects callers to local distress centres. The Toronto Distress Centre operates at 416-408-4357 and serves the Greater Toronto Area around the clock.
British Columbia: BC Crisis Line is reachable at 1-800-784-2433, available 24 hours a day. The line is staffed by trained crisis workers and offers multilingual support.
Alberta: The Alberta Mental Health Help Line operates at 1-877-303-2642 around the clock. It covers crisis support as well as mental health information and referrals.
Quebec: Tel-aide operates at 514-935-1101 in Montreal and serves much of the province. Suicide Action Montreal is reachable at 1-866-APPELLE (277-3553) and is available 24 hours.
Manitoba: The Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line operates at 1-877-435-7170 around the clock.
Saskatchewan: The Saskatchewan Farm Stress Line at 1-800-667-4442 serves rural residents under particular stress, while the general crisis line in Regina is available through local health authority listings.
Nova Scotia: The NS Provincial Crisis Services line operates at 1-888-429-8167.
New Brunswick and PEI: Residents can access crisis support through provincial health authority lines or through 988 directly.
If you are unsure which line covers your region, dialling 988 will route you appropriately. You can also visit the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) website for a current directory of provincial resources.
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone has operated in Canada for decades and remains one of the most trusted resources for young people. The number is 1-800-668-6868. Texting is also available: text CONNECT to 686868.
Kids Help Phone serves anyone under 29 years old. You do not need to be a child. The line is staffed by professional counsellors trained specifically to work with young people. Calls are confidential unless the counsellor believes you or someone else is in immediate danger.
What Makes Kids Help Phone Different
Kids Help Phone counsellors are trained to handle the specific pressures young Canadians face. That includes school stress, identity questions, family conflict, abuse, bullying and mental health crises. The service is non-judgmental by design.
The text option has been especially meaningful for young people who feel more comfortable communicating in writing or who cannot safely speak out loud at home. A real counsellor receives each text. This is not an automated chatbot.
The service is available in English and French. Indigenous youth can also access culturally specific support through Kids Help Phone's trained staff, and the line can connect callers with appropriate community services.
Indigenous Crisis Services
Indigenous Peoples in Canada face disproportionate rates of mental health challenges rooted in historical trauma, systemic racism and the ongoing impacts of colonisation. Generic crisis lines do not always meet the cultural and spiritual needs of First Nations, Metis and Inuit callers. Dedicated services exist to close that gap.
Hope for Wellness Help Line
The Hope for Wellness Help Line is a national service specifically for Indigenous Peoples. The number is 1-855-242-3310. It is available around the clock, every day of the year.
Counsellors on this line are trained in Indigenous cultural awareness. They can provide immediate crisis intervention as well as general mental health counselling. Service is available in English and French. Cree and Ojibway are available upon request. Other Indigenous language options may be available depending on staffing.
KUU-US Crisis Line
The KUU-US Crisis Line serves Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia specifically. The adult and elder line operates at 1-800-588-8717. The child and youth line is at 250-723-4050. This line is staffed by crisis workers with deep roots in BC Indigenous communities.
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness
In addition to the main line above, the federal government funds regional Indigenous mental health programs through Health Canada. Residents of specific communities can access on-reserve mental health workers and crisis support through their local band office or regional health authority. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) maintains updated regional listings.
At Threshold Clinic, our Registered Counsellors are trained in trauma-informed care and recognise the unique experiences of Indigenous clients. We encourage Indigenous individuals to seek services that feel culturally safe for them, whether that is a dedicated Indigenous line, a community-based programme or a clinic like ours.
When to Call a Crisis Line vs. 911
One of the most common questions we hear is: when do I call a crisis line and when do I call 911? The answer depends on immediacy and physical safety.
Call a Crisis Line When
- You are having thoughts of suicide but are not in immediate danger right now
- You are feeling overwhelmed or emotionally out of control
- You need to talk through what you are feeling before deciding your next step
- You are worried about someone else and want guidance on how to help
- You need a referral to local mental health services
Call 911 When
- Someone has taken an overdose or harmed themselves and needs immediate medical care
- A person is in immediate physical danger to themselves or others
- You believe the situation cannot wait
Crisis lines are not a lesser alternative to emergency services. They are an appropriate and effective response to mental health distress. Research consistently supports the value of talking to someone trained in crisis intervention during acute emotional distress. The responder can also call emergency services on your behalf if the situation escalates.
If you are unsure, call 988. The responder will help you determine what level of support you need right now.
How to Support Someone Else in Crisis
Watching someone you care about struggle is painful and frightening. Many people hesitate to act because they are afraid of saying the wrong thing. Here is what we know from clinical experience: reaching out matters more than finding the perfect words.
What to Do
Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide. Research does not support the myth that asking about suicide plants the idea. Asking clearly and calmly shows you are taking them seriously.
Listen without trying to fix. Your job in that moment is not to solve the problem. It is to make the person feel less alone. Statements like "I hear you" and "I am glad you told me" carry real weight.
Help them access support. Offer to sit with them while they call 988 or Kids Help Phone. Offer to drive them to an emergency department if needed. Your presence reduces the barrier to getting help.
Follow up after. A crisis moment does not end when the immediate danger passes. Check in the next day. Send a message. Show them they were not a burden by making contact again.
Take Care of Yourself Too
Supporting someone in crisis is emotionally taxing. You are not expected to handle it alone. Calling a crisis line yourself is appropriate. You can speak with a responder about your concerns for someone else. You are allowed to need support while you support others.
Our team at Threshold Clinic regularly works with people who are navigating the aftereffects of a crisis, both as the person who struggled and as the person who was there. Both experiences deserve care and processing.
A Final Word: Save These Numbers Now
You do not need to be in crisis to prepare for one. Save these numbers in your phone today. Write them on a sticky note and put it on your fridge. Share this article with a parent, a teenager, a colleague or a friend.
988. Suicide Crisis Helpline (call or text, Canada-wide)
1-800-668-6868. Kids Help Phone (or text CONNECT to 686868)
1-855-242-3310. Hope for Wellness Help Line (Indigenous Peoples)
1-800-784-2433. BC Crisis Line
1-877-303-2642. Alberta Mental Health Help Line
1-866-APPELLE. Suicide Action Montreal
Mental health crises are medical events. They deserve the same preparedness we give any other emergency. Knowing these numbers is an act of care for yourself and everyone around you.
If you are looking for ongoing mental health support beyond crisis intervention, our Registered Counsellors at Threshold Clinic are here to help. Therapy can build the skills and resilience that make crises less frequent and less severe. Learn more about our approach and reach out when you are ready.