A federal telephone line still awaited
(OTTAWA) A Conservative MP wonders why a national suicide prevention hotline approved by the
House of Commons last year still doesn't exist.
House of Commons last year still doesn't exist.
MPs from all parties voted in December 2020 for "immediate action" to set up a suicide prevention line
that people in crisis could call by dialing 988.
Spearheading the project, Tory MP Todd Doherty said calls to hotlines had increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We must do everything we can to protect the well-being of Canadians and save lives," said the MP.
Mr. Doherty says he is concerned that a consultation by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is taking too long. According to him, every day that the creation of the line is delayed, a life can be lost.
The CRTC launched the consultations in June "to hear Canadians' views on whether and how to establish a three-digit national number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services." “said spokeswoman Isabella Maestri in a statement.
“The information received from Canadians and other interested parties will help the commission better understand the challenges and solutions, benefits and costs associated with implementing a three-digit number for mental health crisis services and suicide prevention. added Ms. Maestri.
The current round of consultations will end on January 31, she said, but participants will have until mid-March to submit their responses.
The CRTC says its consultation is looking at a number of issues, including whether there should
be a text message option, and will wrap up next year.
This does not sit well with Tory MP Mike Lake, who recently raised questions in the House of Commons about the reasons for the delays in setting up the hotline.
“You would have thought that at this time of year, it would have been put in place. It shouldn't take that long,” the Alberta MP said in an interview. “A suicide prevention hotline should be a priority. There are a million reasons to speed up the process. »
Statistics Canada indicates that 11 people commit suicide every day and that there are approximately 4000 suicide deaths per year.
This rate is systematically higher among Aboriginal people, especially among young people. According to Statistics Canada, from 2011 to 2016, the suicide rate was three times higher than in the non-Indigenous population.
Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett has voiced support for the establishment of the 988 hotline, as has the Canada Suicide Prevention Service, which operates an 11-digit hotline.
Dr. Allison Crawford, the department's chief medical officer, said a three-digit dialing code would be much easier to remember.
"With this new number, more people will be able to get support from trained responders, which could reduce the burden on services that provide other types of mental health support," she said. added.
According to the prevention service, for each person who commits suicide, it is estimated that there are 20 to 25 attempts. On average, 275 people attempt suicide every day in Canada.
that people in crisis could call by dialing 988.
Spearheading the project, Tory MP Todd Doherty said calls to hotlines had increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We must do everything we can to protect the well-being of Canadians and save lives," said the MP.
Mr. Doherty says he is concerned that a consultation by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is taking too long. According to him, every day that the creation of the line is delayed, a life can be lost.
The CRTC launched the consultations in June "to hear Canadians' views on whether and how to establish a three-digit national number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services." “said spokeswoman Isabella Maestri in a statement.
“The information received from Canadians and other interested parties will help the commission better understand the challenges and solutions, benefits and costs associated with implementing a three-digit number for mental health crisis services and suicide prevention. added Ms. Maestri.
The current round of consultations will end on January 31, she said, but participants will have until mid-March to submit their responses.
The CRTC says its consultation is looking at a number of issues, including whether there should
be a text message option, and will wrap up next year.
This does not sit well with Tory MP Mike Lake, who recently raised questions in the House of Commons about the reasons for the delays in setting up the hotline.
“You would have thought that at this time of year, it would have been put in place. It shouldn't take that long,” the Alberta MP said in an interview. “A suicide prevention hotline should be a priority. There are a million reasons to speed up the process. »
Statistics Canada indicates that 11 people commit suicide every day and that there are approximately 4000 suicide deaths per year.
This rate is systematically higher among Aboriginal people, especially among young people. According to Statistics Canada, from 2011 to 2016, the suicide rate was three times higher than in the non-Indigenous population.
Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett has voiced support for the establishment of the 988 hotline, as has the Canada Suicide Prevention Service, which operates an 11-digit hotline.
Dr. Allison Crawford, the department's chief medical officer, said a three-digit dialing code would be much easier to remember.
"With this new number, more people will be able to get support from trained responders, which could reduce the burden on services that provide other types of mental health support," she said. added.
According to the prevention service, for each person who commits suicide, it is estimated that there are 20 to 25 attempts. On average, 275 people attempt suicide every day in Canada.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/sante/2021-12-29/prevention-du-suicide/une-ligne-telephonique-federale-toujours-attendue.php
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/sante/2021-12-29/prevention-du-suicide/une-ligne-telephonique-federale-toujours-attendue.php