Did Trump's suicide helpline cuts push Canada to step in for Americans?

Social media is buzzing with a suicide helpline number released by Canadian government which is toll-free for Americans. As per a post shared on X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, the

Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, a toll free helpline has been launched by the Canadian government. The post has over 11,000 likes and more than 92.6k views.

"As Trump shuts down the suicide hotline, Canada has broadcasted their national hotline which now has a toll-free American version: 1-877-330-6366," a social media account named "Papa Woof und Krampus und Bleaken" has posted on X.



Fact-check
The buzz stems from a CNN report that said that the Trump administration is suspending the 988 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth in a cost cutting effort. "If the leaked budget draft is enacted, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth specialized services could be defunded beginning in October, according to the nonprofit The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth that has been a subcontractor to the specialized service since 2022, serving as one of seven call centers within the subnetwork that provides specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth," the report said.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was launched in July 2022 under the Joe Biden administration. People seeking emotional and mental health support were encouraged to dial 988 for help the same way they dialled 911 for medical emergencies. In this helpline, the diallers were given the option to press 3 for help and counselling related to LGBTQ+.

However, there has been no official update by the US government on shutting down the helpline number.

About the Canadian toll free number
The toll free version for the Americans, as mentioned in the post, is 1-877-330-6366. This is the Trans Lifeline's Hotline number which operates from Monday to Friday. It is not a Canadian national suicide hotline.

As per the information available on the official Canada government's portal, "If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline offers support that is: bilingual, trauma-informed, culturally appropriate and available to anyone in Canada."

"Thank God For Canada"
Canada has this global reputation for just being nice. And with this post going viral social media is flooded with comments and reactions to the helpline number. "I love Canadians more and more as this mess continues. Elbows up," writes one user. "Shameful. I wish we could belong to Canada, it would not be so humiliating," writes another user. "we love you Canada, always there ready to help even during this mad house that we now live in. thank you thank you," writes a third user.