Editor’s Note: Be aware this contains mention of suicide. If you require further information about the new 9-8-8 national suicide crisis hotline, go to https://988.ca/.
The Barriere RCMP wishes you and yours a very happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year. Our members remain available to the community over the holidays as usual.
Cpl. Kyle Camalush, detachment commander for Barriere, offers some helpful advice to anyone needing to talk or who is in a personal crisis.
“We understand that this time of year can be challenging for some in our community and want to remind you of resources if the holiday season has you struggling.”
The Barriere RCMP suggests that individuals reach out for help if they are thinking about suicide, or worried about someone else who might be thinking about suicide. Help is available around the clock by calling or texting 9-8-8 for suicide prevention support at any time of day or night.
Calls or texts to 9-8-8 are confidential and no personally identifiable information will be disclosed or shared outside the 9-8-8 network, except as required or permitted by law, or in cases where emergency intervention is required to support the safety and well-being of the caller or texter, and the safety of others.
Another quickly accessible resource is the Hope for Wellness Helpline, which provides immediate non-judgemental, culturally competent, trauma-informed emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community-based services for Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
Whether you would rather speak to someone one-on-one or online, this service is available 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310.
The Kids Help Phone provides mental health support and crisis services for children and young adults across Canada. This is the only e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French, and the service is available 24/7. Call 1-800-668-6868, or text “CONNECT” to 686868.