Toronto – Young people are facing new and complex challenges. And that can have a real affect on their mental health. Our government is committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent young people from accessing mental health services, and to ensure young Canadians can find support, guidance and hope.
Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced $7.5 million in funding for Kids Help Phone to continue its work providing mental health counselling and crisis support.
This funding will allow Kids Help Phone to continue to provide 24/7 access to bilingual mental health supports via voice and text, online counselling and crisis support for youth across Canada. It will help adapt and mobilize its supports and services for underserved communities. Further, it will also bolster better data collection and analysis through the implementation of new data tools to allow Kids Help Phone to extend the reach of its service.
Additionally, the funding will support Kids Help Phone employees and volunteers by providing ongoing professional development and training opportunities, as well as help develop and maintain a support and self-care program for all staff and service volunteers.
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 across Canada. Kids, teens, and young people can call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 no matter the time of day or where they are located. Anyone in Canada can call 9-8-8 for crisis and mental health support anytime they need someone help or someone to talk to.
“The mental health challenges young people are facing have increased in recent years. Whether its challenges at home, online or at school, we are committed to ensure support is available to our kids when they need it. Kids Help Phone is a trusted partner in this effort. I am so grateful for the work they do and the resources they provide for young people across our country.” – Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health