1800SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) was officially launched on September 10, 2004: World Suicide Prevention Day. The first of its kind in Canada, the network has supported tens of thousands of callers throughout BC ensuring that people have access to skilled suicide assessment and intervention when they need it most.

 

​The focus is on answering and supporting suicide-related calls. Crisis line workers use evidence-based techniques and a province-wide Emergency Resource Database to support callers. When needed, crisis line workers are able to provide intervention through emergency mental health teams and other emergency services.

 

Crisis lines across BC who demonstrate they meet the criteria for participation are networked together to provide this critical service. The innovative approach enables us to work towards a target of  "no call goes unanswered."​

 

In addition, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention recognizes the importance of such initiatives as a critical component of their "Blueprint for a Canadian National Suicide Prevention Strategy." ​​​​

 

In 2007 an evaluation of 1800SUICIDE identified better practices and key learnings which further improved the service and was used in the development of the second provincial network, 310Mental Health Support.

310Mental Health Support (310-6789) is the toll-free provincial access to emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health. In operation since 2009, this network is also available 24/7/365 throughout BC.

 

Crisis lines from across BC who demonstrate they meet the criteria for network participation work in partnership to provide the best possible support to callers struggling with mental health concerns or issues.

The services provided through 1800SUICIDE and 310Mental Health Support are built on the  founding principles of CARE:

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Confidential: Calls are kept confidential in accordance with the Privacy & Personal Information Act.

Accessible: Toll-free, non-judgemental support is available 24/7/365 everywhere in BC.

Resources: Resources are provided with consideration of the unique needs of each caller.

Evidence-Based: The networks operate by following the better practices model. This ensures that standards and protocols integrate practices from research, accreditation and other evidence.