9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline - Implementing a Pan-Canadian Program to Prevent Suicide.

Abstract

The 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline was launched in Canada in November 2023, aligned with an international movement to ensure access to crisis supports as part of a public health approach to suicide prevention. We describe the planning and implementation of 9-8-8 in Canada using the RE-AIM framework, considering the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance of 9-8-8 within the first six months of service (Glasgow et al. 2019). There is evidence of reach and adoption of 9-8-8 across Canada, and we discuss evidence-based strategies to evaluate and enhance effectiveness, implementation and maintenance. We also consider the importance of evaluating 9-8-8 within the larger socio-ecological and health system contexts. 9-8-8 must cultivate a learning health system approach and be part of a larger learning health system focused on reducing suicide in Canada.