CHIMO crisis phone line to shut down after 54 years, N.B. government defends removal of funding

New Brunswick's oldest toll-free crisis helpline, Chimo, is shutting down.

The New Brunswick government says other toll-free numbers will fill the gap left by CHIMO, once the provincial 24-hour crisis phone line ends operations on Friday.

The John Howard Society of Fredericton, which runs the 54-year-old service, says recent cutbacks in provincial funding are causing the closure.

In a statement, executive director John Barrow says the removed funding “made it impossible to continue delivering the level of service and care that our community deserves.”

The Progressive Conservatives are calling for the funding to be returned. PC MLA Rob Weir says the province’s dismal record in recent mental health reports demonstrated why the provincial phone line was needed.

“I would remind the premier that while our government was balancing the budget every year and paying down the debt, the CHIMO mental health help line remained funded and operational,” says Weir.

Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Services Rob McKee says the previous Tory government removed $20,000 within the department of health budget for CHIMO in 2022, maintaining supplementary funding from the Department of Social Development at that time.

Social Development Minister Cindy Miles says CHIMO’s remaining provincial funding was cut in the most recent budget.

“The decision to not renew funding this year was not taken lightly, there was a lot of consideration that went into that conversation,” says Miles. “And we had conversations with the service provider as well, too.”

“But there’s other service providers that could provide the services more timely, and they were filling those gaps that may have been there. So that’s why the decision was made.”

Green Party Leader David Coon says some people in crisis may be reluctant to call a crisis phone line operated by a government run agency.

“The government seems to forget what it’s like on the ground for people who are struggling with mental illness,” says Coon.

Information about the total provincial amount removed most recently from CHIMO’s budget wasn’t immediately available on Wednesday from either Miles or the John Howard Society of Fredericton.

The society says CHIMO’s closure will impact many individuals who’ve relied on the service.

“Over the coming weeks, we will work closely with community partners to connect individuals with alternate support resources,” says Barrow. “If you have any questions or need assistance during this transition, please contact the provincial help line at 1-866-355-5550.”

The society says other toll-free phone resources include:

• 911 for emergency services (including mental health emergencies)
• 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Bilingual, national helpline for anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know
• Provincial Addiction and Mental Health Services: 1-866-355-5550
• 211 for information and resource navigation
• 811 for non-urgent provincial health line
• Red Cross Program: toll-free 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays; 1-800-979-9779

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.