A big investment from the federal government to help kids who need to talk about mental health.
Ottawa is spending $7.5 million to the Kids Help Phone – a support line that is available 24/7 through text, over the phone and online.
The federal government says kids are facing new and more complex challenges that can have a real effect on their mental health, and they want to make it easier for young people to get the help they need.
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Ya’ara Saks made the announcement and says the money will not only go toward collecting more data to figure out who is reaching out and why, but to help train workers.
“The work that the kids help phone does in really understanding where kids are at now, but also where they’re going. What they’re looking for, what they’re grappling with.”
“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.”
The Kids Help Phone is free and is available in over 100 languages.
