Jul 12, 2018
NDP MP Charlie Angus has written to the federal health minister urging for a boost in funding to a suicide prevention service that temporarily suspended text message and online chat help services this week.
The Canada Suicide Prevention Service, a pilot project that has set up a central hub in Canada for suicide help lines has been running telephone, online chat and text help services since last fall.
But Angus’ letter says that it suspended text and online messaging services on July 7 amid higher than expected demand and a short-term funding shortfall.
“I was shocked because so much work went into getting this service off the ground,” Angus told iPolitics.