Barrie supports 988, a national three-digit suicide and crisis hotline.
City council gave final approval to a motion to that effect Monday night.
A motion that the city endorses the 988 crisis-line initiative was passed unanimously by council.
The federal government has passed a motion to adopt 988 as the national three-digit suicide and crisis hotline. The federal government will also consolidate all existing suicide crisis numbers into one three-digit hotline.
Coun. Natalie Harris says the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for suicide prevention services by 200 per cent, and existing suicide prevention hotlines require the user to remember a 10-digit number, and go through directories or be placed on hold.
A letter demonstrating Barrie’s support will now be sent to Caribou-Prince George MP Todd Doherty, Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard, Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MP Doug Shipley, Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin, Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey, Federal Minister of Health Patty Hajdu, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), and all Ontario municipalities.
