toll free, 24/7 Help is available. Thinking of suicide? 9-8-8 A new organization was launched in December 2023 to improve the collection and sharing of health workforce data in Canada. Health Workforce Canada (HWC) will operate as an independent organization with support from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). As a stand-alone entity, HWC will work closely with CIHI and other health care system stakeholders to share health workforce data for creating practical solutions and innovative practices. “Health Workforce Canada will help us better understand the root causes of health workforce issues by understanding data gaps and supporting planning efforts for the future,” said the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health. The creation of HWC aims to address the current lack of information about Canada’s health workforce. Moving forward, this initiative should improve how such information is collected, used and shared to help with better health workforce planning across the country. A new toll-free, three-digit suicide crisis helpline launched nationwide on November 30, 2023. People having suicidal thoughts or other mental health distress can call or text 988 to reach a trained responder 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no matter where you live in Canada. The project is funded and overseen by the Public Health Agency of Canada and is being led by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). In addition to CAMH, the 988 response network will be staffed by partner mental health agencies across Canada, including Kids Help Phone and the Indigenous agency Hope for Wellness. People can access the 988 helpline in English or French, but other languages will be made available through the partner organizations. The 988 helpline expands on the Talk Suicide Canada helpline, which had a toll-free 10-digit number but did not have a 24-hour texting service. According to CAMH, “While the focus of 988 is on suicide prevention, no one who reaches out to the service will be turned away. Whoever you are, wherever you are located in Canada, by calling or texting 988 you can connect with a trained responder who’s ready to listen without judgement.” HealthWorkforce Canada 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline See: 988.ca See: healthworkforce.ca 16 | 2024 | Issue 1
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