THUNDER BAY —The Canadian Mental Health Association's Thunder Bay centre has launched a new text and chat option to its Crisis Response 24/7 phone line that serves Northwestern Ontario.
The service provides easy access to mental health and addictions resources, support and referrals.
By texting 807-346-8282, the 24/7 line is immediately available for calls, texts, and/or a chat box at thunderbay.cmha.ca.
The free, confidential service is open to individuals facing a mental health and addictions crisis, as well as to their families or loved ones.
It connects them with a compassionate, professionally trained crisis response worker.
Jennifer Hyslop, CEO of CMHA Thunder Bay, said the crisis phone line breaks down one more barrier for people who need help.
"This is another important step in our efforts to create a mental health crisis system that better responds to the needs of our community by providing mental health to all," Hyslop said.
She said the text or chat option provides a more discreet way to get the same service an individual would receive by dialing the crisis line.
"This will make an incredible difference for engaging young people in the right support at the right time during their most vulnerable moments," Hyslop stated.
CMHA's supervisor of crisis response, Liberty McAllister, noted that some individuals find texting or chatting more comfortable.
But she said if the crisis response worker feels at any time that someone is in danger, "we can immediately guide the text to an actual phone call or to additional resources, and a response that will ensure everyone's safety."
Last year the CMHA Thunder Bay centre assisted 224 youth either on the phone or with its mobile team.
"We would expect that will rise significantly. And once children and youth are back in school, and families and school resource folks are aware of the [service], I think our numbers will definitely increase," Hyslop said.
The phone line is also available for residents anywhere in Northwestern Ontario, with the option of using the toll-free number 1-866-888-8988.
