Help shape Canada’s national suicide prevention helpline

9-8-8 is looking for people with lived experience of suicide and/or using crisis lines to share their experience and expertise and help guide the service. As a Community Member Advisor to 9-8-8, your input will help make the service better for the thousands of people across Canada who reach out every day.

To apply, please submit your application form.

Link to the application form.

For any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

Working with the 9-8-8 project has given me a safe space to feel heard and my experiences are not only validated, but valued.

- Community Member Advisor

What does a community member advisor (CMA) do?

  • Brings the perspective of lived experience to discussions shaping 9-8-8
  • Shares input on a wide range of topics such as: advertising, evaluation, training
    • Past examples include: sharing feedback on a public service announcement and public marketing materials, reviewing training materials, etc.
  • Collaborates virtually  by:
    • meeting monthly as part of the Lived Experience Caucus to provide input on the service and/or
    • supporting additional projects as needed

As a 9-8-8 Community Member Advisor, you will receive compensation for your time ($30 per hour)

Who can apply?

You can apply to be a 9-8-8 Community Member Advisor if you:

  • Are aged 18 or over,
  • Live in Canada, and
  • Have your own living experience of having thoughts of suicide
  • Have used distress/crisis lines, or
  • Have a family member or loved one with lived/living experience of having thoughts of suicide

We are looking for individuals who are interested in:

  • Speaking through a lens of their lived experience to provide feedback
  • Collaborative discussions
  • Building an inclusive, empathetic, non-judgmental space
  • Learning about 9-8-8

We prioritize including diverse perspectives from across Canada. We encourage people from equity-deserving communities to apply, including people from First Nations, Métis and Inuit, Black and racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, and rural communities.