Quinte Health Partners with Canada’s New 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline

Quinte Health has joined Canada’s new 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline, becoming part of a nationwide network providing 24/7 mental health crisis support by call or text.

Hospitals within the Quinte Health system, including those in Picton, Trenton, Belleville, and Bancroft, are now helping deliver this three-digit suicide prevention service, which offers immediate, confidential, and judgment-free support to people experiencing suicidal thoughts or those concerned about someone else.

The service connects callers with trained responders who provide empathetic listening and crisis support, helping individuals access care when they need it most. Through this partnership, local expertise will be available to people reaching out for help, ensuring support that reflects community needs and experiences.

Quinte Health’s Crisis Intervention Centre (CIC) will continue its community mental health services and will work alongside the 9-8-8 response team to support mentorship, coordination, and referrals within the Quinte Health service region.

The 9-8-8 helpline, led nationally by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and funded by the Government of Canada, aims to reduce stigma, increase access to care, and prevent suicide by making help easy to reach, anytime, anywhere.