Kids Help Phone
by Michelle Green
1. Anything goes – young people contact us about a wide range of issues that include everything from struggles with relationships, to moving to a new school, to cyberbullying, abuse, and mental health concerns. Whatever their concerns, we’re always here to listen and help.
2. About Us
2.1. Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 counselling and information service for young people. Since 1989, our trained, professional counsellors have been listening to kids, often when no one else can or will.
2.2. Our free and anonymous service supports young people as they build the skills and abilities they’ll need to improve their emotional health and well-being. We also work tirelessly to share young people’s perspectives on a societal level – locally, nationally, and globally.
3. Vision
3.1. To continue to improve and grow Kids Help Phone to ensure we deliver the most effective, timely and valuable counselling, referrals and information to every young person in Canada from five to 20 who could benefit from our support.
4. Did you know?
4.1. In our first 25 years, young people connected with Kids Help Phone’s professional counsellors more than 7.1 million times.
4.2. Research shows that Kids Help Phone significantly improves youth mental health.
5. Mission
5.1. Our mission is to improve the well-being of children and youth in Canada by providing them anonymous and confidential professional counselling, referrals and information in English and French, through technologically-based communications media.
6. Our Service Values
6.1. We believe all young people have the right to be heard and to access resources that will allow them to develop to their full potential.
6.2. We believe it is important that we contribute to the awareness and public dialogue on children’s issues and to the development of policies and practices that improve the well-being of Canadian children.
6.3. We believe our counsellors must be paid professionals who meet the highest possible academic and professional standards.
6.4. We believe it is important that we pioneer new ways to use the ever-evolving changes in communications technology.
7. How To Find Us
7.1. By Phone: 1-800-668-6868
7.2. Websites: http://kidshelpphone.ca/Kids/Home.aspx
7.2.1. Live Chat connects young people to a professional counsellor for real time, one-on-one counselling.
7.2.2. We also offer Resources Around Me, a free, interactive tool, available in English and French, through Kids Help Phone’s website.