A big week for mental health care in Canada
It’s a big week for mental health care in Canada – our new 24/7 mental health crisis line is officially here and the Government of Canada has shared plans to eliminate GST/HST on mental health care provided services.
988 – Canada’s new mental health hotline
Similar to 911, by dialling or texting 3 digits, people will be connected with suicide prevention services.
The number to remember is 988 – a short number to get quick response from coast to coast to coast, around the clock and completely free of charge.
The goal of 988 is to prevent suicide, and also to alleviate the volume of calls placed to 911 every day regarding a mental health crisis. A network of 39 partners across Canada, hotline responders are trained to offer counselling and support.
There’s also a group of specially trained responders who can be called upon for more specific topics and when more capacity is needed. All calls are handled with a non-judgmental approach to discussing action planning, mental health issues, substance use, psychological protective factors, coping strategies, and ongoing support options. There may be times when the caller is showing signs of stress – the responder, stays on the line without rushing through the call. For the vast majority of calls, emergency services won’t be contacted. But 911 will be contacted if someone is of grave danger of harming themselves or someone else.
For people looking for help in navigating the mental health system, 211 is the number to dial to access information for government and community-based, non-clinical health and social services. Various associations, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, Centre for Addition and Mental Health, among others, are also available to provide resources and information.
While 988 is available to everyone, there are specifically geared services for children, teens, and Indigenous people, furthering our country’s commitment to offering targeted support:
Children and young adults can also contact Kids Help Phone for mental health support by texting CONNECT to 686 868 or by calling 1-800-668-6868
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis will also be able to reach the Hope for Wellness Helpline. Responders are trained in cultural humility and are available by calling 1-855-242-3310.
Note: People who are deaf or hard of hearing can access ASL/LSQ interpretation through 988.
Removal of GST/HST on mental health therapy services
While not yet in place, the Government of Canada has unveiled plans to remove GST/HST on psychotherapy and counselling therapy services (psychologists, social workers and nurses are exempt from charging federal taxes), in a move to make extended mental health services more affordable and equitable for all.
The last decade we’ve talked openly about the importance of getting help, but the reality for so many Canadians is that cost is a major barrier to access. Research shows that for meaningful change to occur, a minimum of 6 to 8 sessions are effective, and with counselling sessions averaging about $180 across the nation, repeat visits for all too many just isn’t an option.
Lifting federal taxes on mental health services is a good start to furthering the work to addressing access barriers, and I can’t help but imagine a day where mental health care, regardless of the type of service being sought, is fully free and federally funded for all.
We still have a long way to go addressing actionable, sustainable, and compassionate mental health care in our country, but these two critical updates offer hope for the future of our country.
