FAQ

Yes. We are a federally incorporated charity registered by letters patent with Industry Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency. We are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency 13589-1257-RR0001 Find us at the CRA website

Humanity Unlimited Global, Inc; H.U.G.; YLC

In 2000

Ruaraidh Butler – Founder; Mark Morin, Jim Hewitt & Brian Patterson

Yes, as a registered charity we are governed by the Charities Legislation with a board of directors

Yes, we are fortunate to have the counsel of an amazing advisory board.

Humanity Unlimited Global (HUG) exists to walk alongside bereaved families, individuals living with long-term trauma, and those at risk of suicide who too often fall through the cracks of the health system. We provide compassionate support, connection, and life-affirming resources to help people navigate loss, manage trauma, and rediscover hope and purpose.

By word of mouth, special events and our online response centre. We are supported by advocacy, education and awareness programs in schools, the community and the workplace. Social media is playing an increasingly significant role in our outreach.

We are humbled and grateful for the incredible work of our volunteers. At the same time, we are committed to protecting both our team and the vulnerable individuals—youth and families—with whom we work closely. For this reason, it is essential that the right people join our team. A background in public health, mental health, social work, or emergency services is a prerequisite. All volunteer involvement with students requires written consent and active participation from their school, as well as parental or guardian consent for anyone under the age of 18. These protocols are in place to safeguard everyone involved and to ensure accountability, safety, and trust within our programs.

We suggest somewhere in the range of 3-5 hours a week but really depends on the individual and their circumstances.

Currently our small team of facilitators with the online lifeline have experience, training, qualifications and background in counseling together with suicide prevention training to Living Works ASIST level and beyond. We are working towards all volunteers completing the Living Works SafeTalk program and for those who may be working in any way with vulnerable people to have completed the Living Works ASIST program.

Yes, we require all volunteers to have a Police background check for working with vulnerable people. The only exception would be for someone under the age of 16 who is involved in a specific activity supervised by his/her school.

Our online facilitator(s) have a background in social work/ counseling/ psychology/ psychiatry and education. All have relevant skills, qualifications and experience and work at a professional level. Our team have been trained to Living Works ASIST level or equivalent and beyond.

No. We do not minimalize the effectiveness of youth support but for the work of the online lifeline we work at a professional level.

Yes, we are a registered agency with the Niagara Police Service and link with Police agencies and other associated agencies across North America and the world.

From individuals, corporations, grants and special events fundraising.

Yes for all eligible donations.

100% of our efforts are focused on the development and delivery of our programs. We are working on building our capacity considerably and every dollar makes a difference.

Yes, as long as the item is serviceable we can issue a tax receipt for the fair market value for the item(s) whatever it/they is/are. For example you can donate your vehicle; stocks and shares; real estate; equipment; fine art, furniture etc.

We are working hard to build our capacity but we are not yet at the point where we have all our baseline costs covered.

We are grateful to our service in kind partners who provide generous service in kind to HUG. We could not write a cheque for all the goodwill help we receive. It is important you understand this help is in kind; it is not cash support. We also need cash to pay our bills.

No. Currently there is no formal Government plan for suicide prevention work in Canada Read about how HUG has made efforts in Canadian parliament.

Canada is one of two countries in the G8 group of countries not to have a formal national suicide prevention strategy. Canadian expertise has provided guidelines to the World Health Organization on the development of such strategies, but currently there is nothing in place. That is why YLC is working hard to change this.

We have one – the Founder – we are working hard to expand our full time team with adequate funding in place.

A HUG Your Life Counts National Poll by world leading research company Harris Decima, shows that Canadians are concerned about the problem of suicide. 96% of Canadians said they felt suicide should be talked about freely without fear or shame and 84% of Canadians said they wanted the Government to do more to help those working in suicide prevention.

We believe that suicide is a community health issue and agree with the position of Living Works

Living Works Quote:
“We hold that suicide is best viewed broadly as an issue for the entire community. We reject any attempt to maintain an exclusionary position. To make suicide one group’s territory is to re-stigmatize suicide in modern clothing by implying that suicide is so special, dangerous or unusual that only some can deal with it. Such a restriction also reduces the range and numbers of people who could help prevent suicide. Suicide is not the domain of any one discipline or viewpoint. We need everyone, working together, to bring an end to the long history of avoiding the community consequences of suicide.” Visit Living Works here.

We connect those in immediate crisis to emergency support and provide steady guidance online, offline, and through community programs, with our website tying all our efforts together.

We recognize the ASIST program – a world benchmark training in suicide prevention designed and facilitated worldwide from Calgary, Alberta by Living Works Inc.

Many people hesitate to call a phone number and speak with a complete stranger about their worries and concerns. Online connections, however, offer a non-threatening way to communicate, making it easier for individuals to open up and give themselves permission to accept support and guidance.

We work with people unconditionally no matter who they are or where they are from or what they believe in.

Yes, when necessary.

Through our online presence; word of mouth; posters and banners in the community. People are also referred to us by other professionals in the community and by other agencies.

It is fair to say that we are spread out geographically as a team. We have a virtual office online where much of our work and outreach is accomplished.

Contact us directly online via www.hughumanity.org

Our primary focus is on individuals and families bereaved by suicide or other trauma, offering practical help, understanding, comfort, and a steady presence when the world feels too heavy.

We have a growing team of dedicated and trained professionals all engaged in mental health work, counseling and education at competent levels.

We have a regular flow of emails and we typically respond to 200 + emails a month.

Yes. Every email is answered on a priority basis.

The guidance we have from our professional advisors, including police, is that these forms of technology have intrinsic problems including personal safety and counseling care. HUG will continue to research and monitor our forward options with the guidance of our professional team.

Yes, subject to resources being available, we have several programs that we can deliver in schools focused on anti-bullying; making good life choices and understanding how to cope with relationships and other life issues that sometimes overwhelm.