Mr. Speaker, five years ago, in December 2020, the House came together to support my motion to bring a simple, life-saving idea to Canada: A three-digit suicide prevention crisis line, or 988.
One thousand days later, 988 launched in November 2023. Since that time, over a million calls and texts have been made to 988. Every one of those calls or texts represents someone reaching out instead of giving up, but sadly, 12 Canadians die by suicide each day and a further 200 attempt suicide each day. That is 73,000 Canadians.
This is why 988 must be the beginning, not the end. As we enter the Christmas season, we must remember that many Canadians suffer silently and fall through the gaps.
If someone is struggling, I ask them to please reach out. Help is only a call or text away, regardless of where they are. They can dial or text 988 24-7. I ask them to remember they are needed, are loved and our world is a better place with them in it.