National Survey Provides Insights for CAMH’s 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline

Environics partners with CAMH on a national study of Canadians’ mental health needs, informing outreach and design for the 9-8-8 helpline.

Toronto Star Feature – Sep 12th 2025

Environics Research was featured in a recent Toronto Star article highlighting the important work of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and its leadership of Canada’s 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline.

Reporting that responders to 9-8-8 now answer more than 29,000 calls and texts each month — a powerful reflection of the growing need for accessible mental health supports across the country.

In partnership with CAMH, Environics Research conducted a nationwide survey of 1,500 Canadians. The study explored Canadians’ mental health literacy, experiences with helplines, and attitudes toward suicide and stigma.

Read the full Toronto Star article here

Supporting 9-8-8 with this research was critical and deeply fulfilling for our team. We surveyed people across Canada – including 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous, Black, newcomer and other equity-deserving communities – to understand what potential users need from a crisis line like 9-8-8; how they want to reach out, what gets in the way, and what helps build awareness of services like this. Those insights are already shaping outreach and service design, helping more people know where to turn when it matters most.