Prince Edward Island Suicide Hotline to Open Only From 9 to 5 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jenya · 05-30-2005, 06:28 PM

Prince Edward Island Suicide Hotline to Open Only From 9 to 5

Reuters

Thursday, May 26, 2005

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I-- - A Canadian province will shut its 24-hour suicide hotline and replace it with one that operates only during business hours.

Prince Edward Island, a small province on Canada's East Coast, says it is too expensive to operate the hotline around the clock. Starting June 1, it will be open only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The plan drew protest from mental health groups across the country on Wednesday.

"How many times, when you get upset or worried or concerned about things, is it in the middle of the day? It's usually at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning when you wake up," said Joan Wright, executive director of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention based in Edmonton, Alberta.

The hotline received about 1,400 calls a year and about 50 were from people contemplating suicide, health groups said.

"One of the things I was hearing is the government felt there weren't enough suicide-related calls," Wright said.

Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest province with a population of about 137,000 people, is trying to tame its budget deficit. The hotline cost about C$30,000 ($24,000) a year to run.

"It's a very small amount of money in our view," said Reid Burke, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

"(Given) the economic cost of a suicide, if governments pay attention to dollars and numbers, not what happens to people, it just doesn't make sense."

Courtnee · 05-30-2005, 07:29 PM

thats stupid.

MsOrange · 05-30-2005, 07:30 PM

will they at least have an encouraging message on their answering machine?

Kay Scarpetta · 05-30-2005, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsOrange

will they at least have an encouraging message on their answering machine?

sorry. this topic isn't funny at all, but I found that comment rather amusing.

And the government is really dumb. They could get sued big time.

Hollow · 05-30-2005, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenya

Prince Edward Island, a small province on Canada's East Coast, says it is too expensive to operate the hotline around the clock.

because saving money is so much more important than saving lives.

TripperFan · 05-30-2005, 08:17 PM

Hey - don't panic folks - considering it takes about 8 minutes to cross the Island, I don't think its a big issue. We're talking Canuck Hooterville here!

(If anyone from P.E.I. is looking tho - I kid - I kid)!!

TripperFan · 05-30-2005, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kay Scarpetta

sorry. this topic isn't funny at all, but I found that comment rather amusing.

And the government is really dumb. They could get sued big time.

Don't worry - they will be! Trouble is, someone will have to die first probably.

Yup - that's our tax dollars (one of the highest taxed countries in the world) hard at work!

TripperFan · 05-30-2005, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsOrange

will they at least have an encouraging message on their answering machine?

Yah - the Suicide Hotline message at first comes on and tells you how much you have to live for and then if you're still hellbent on doing yourself in, they ask you to please do it between the hours of 9 - 5 Mon - Fri (except for holidays and Jean Bapitste Day) and not to litter in the streets.

James"Thunder"Early · 05-30-2005, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsOrange

will they at least have an encouraging message on their answering machine?

"You've reached the Suicide Hotline, but we're closed. pleased call back during normal business hours (if you didn't do it already)". j/k I couldn't resist a little black comedy.

05-30-2005, 06:28 PM	#1
Jenya Supervisor Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Canmore, Alberta Posts: 3,359	Prince Edward Island Suicide Hotline to Open Only From 9 to 5 Prince Edward Island Suicide Hotline to Open Only From 9 to 5 Reuters Thursday, May 26, 2005 CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I-- - A Canadian province will shut its 24-hour suicide hotline and replace it with one that operates only during business hours. Prince Edward Island, a small province on Canada's East Coast, says it is too expensive to operate the hotline around the clock. Starting June 1, it will be open only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The plan drew protest from mental health groups across the country on Wednesday. "How many times, when you get upset or worried or concerned about things, is it in the middle of the day? It's usually at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning when you wake up," said Joan Wright, executive director of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention based in Edmonton, Alberta. The hotline received about 1,400 calls a year and about 50 were from people contemplating suicide, health groups said. "One of the things I was hearing is the government felt there weren't enough suicide-related calls," Wright said. Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest province with a population of about 137,000 people, is trying to tame its budget deficit. The hotline cost about C$30,000 ($24,000) a year to run. "It's a very small amount of money in our view," said Reid Burke, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association. "(Given) the economic cost of a suicide, if governments pay attention to dollars and numbers, not what happens to people, it just doesn't make sense."

05-30-2005, 07:29 PM	#2
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	thats stupid.
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

05-30-2005, 08:17 PM	#6
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Hey - don't panic folks - considering it takes about 8 minutes to cross the Island, I don't think its a big issue. We're talking Canuck Hooterville here! (If anyone from P.E.I. is looking tho - I kid - I kid)!!
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

05-30-2005, 07:30 PM	#3
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	will they at least have an encouraging message on their answering machine?