You searched for suicide - Kids Help Phone https://kidshelpphone.ca/ Wed, 24 Dec 2025 18:57:13 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://kidshelpphone.ca/wp-content/uploads/KHPfavico-512x512-forest-bubblegum-1-38x38.png You searched for suicide - Kids Help Phone https://kidshelpphone.ca/ 32 32 Kids Help Phone Foundation | Help now https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-involved/khpfoundation/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:58:48 +0000 https://kidshelpphone.ca/?post_type=page-non-service&p=84622 Read More...

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Meet the leaders at KHP Foundation.

MEET LEADERS

On average, 75% of young people contacting KHP share something they’ve never told anyone before.

Since January 2020, KHP has supported young people across Canada more than 22 million times.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among youth in Canada. That’s not “fine.”

Help shouldn’t be hard to find. Tap through for ways to help youth in your community!

Right now, youth in Canada are in crisis — one that affects us all. Your help means everything.

HELP NOW

An ongoing gift helps ensure young people can get support 24/7, even in the middle of the night when some youth have no one else to contact.

HELP MONTHLY

Leave a lasting impact and help transform Canada’s e-mental health ecosystem by adding a legacy gift to your will or estate.

HELP FOR GENERATIONS

Together, we can help youth who are navigating big feelings and difficult situations access the support they deserve.

HELP THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

Be an event leader to offer more youth help with any issue or feeling

HELP AT AN EVENT

Making a gift in honour or in memory of someone can be a meaningful way to recognize the people you love.

HELP IN TRIBUTE

Important notice: Postal disruption

Mail to KHP may be delayed right now. You can make your donation online today to ensure your gift makes it to us before the end of the year. Your help means everything — thanks for your patience and support!

Your help means everything — thank you!
To explore opportunities to get involved and help youth, you can contact us.

]]> AI for mental health support: 2025 info sheet https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-info/ai-for-mental-health-support-2025-info-sheet/ Wed, 12 Nov 2025 20:20:24 +0000 https://kidshelpphone.ca/?post_type=articles&p=84341 Read More...

]]> Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how young people across Canada learn, work, play, share and more. It can process information quickly, often in ways that feel personal and helpful. But there are some things to keep in mind when using AI for mental health support. This resource from Kids Help Phone (KHP) explores what AI is, how you might use it, safety considerations and ways you can access non-judgmental real human help for your feelings. 

What is AI?

In short, AI is technology that uses data to complete complex tasks efficiently. Some examples include ChatGPT, Siri, customer service chatbots, music recommendation systems, grammar checkers, spam filters and self-driving cars. To learn more about AI, you can tap to explore the following resources: 

How do people use AI?

Some people use AI to: 

  • learn and research new things 
  • brainstorm ideas or organize information 
  • summarize content or take notes 
  • automate repetitive tasks 

Are young people using AI for mental health support?

2025 research by KHP exploring how youth in Canada engage with mental health-related content online found that, among participating young people: 

  • 69% said mental health-related content on AI tools such as ChatGPT was helpful. 
  • About 17% had used ChatGPT for mental health advice. 
  • Many said they like these tools because responses are fast, feel personal, and feel safe and judgment-free. 

What are some things to consider if I use AI for mental health support?

AI can be helpful, but it’s not human. Like any digital space (e.g. social media, news channels, etc.), there are online safety tips to keep in mind.  

You might start by reflecting on the facts, for example:

  • AI doesn’t have thoughts / feelings of its own, including empathy (even if it sounds like it cares).  
  • AI is usually trained using publicly available information, so it doesn’t always have access to the latest research / data. 
  • AI’s responses aren’t reviewed by real people such as trained experts, doctors or helping professionals. 
  • AI doesn’t have human experiences, so it might not correctly interpret the language you use, your specific situation, your personal / family history, etc. 
  • AI’s responses can include bias, ads and incorrect / misleading information. 
  • AI isn’t regulated in Canada (there are no specific AI laws yet). 
  • Right now, there aren’t any clear standards to help AI tools put safety and well-being first. 

How can I take care of myself if I use AI for mental health support?

If you use AI for mental health support, you can prioritize your safety and well-being by asking yourself the following questions:  

  • What do I want to get from using AI? 
  • Is what I share private? (Tip: You can check the privacy policy of the tool you’re using.)  
  • Where does the information I get come from? 
  • How will I confirm if the information I get is right (fact check)? 
  • Does the tool I’m using / the information I get from it match my values? 
  • How am I feeling about using AI? 
  • What will I do if I notice upsetting content? 
  • What are all my options for accessing support? (Tip: You can learn more about support options at KHP by scrolling down on this web page.) 
  • What boundaries do I want to set for myself and AI (e.g. how often I use it, what I use it for, etc.)? 
  • Does AI correctly interpret the words I use (and what I actually mean)? How often does this seem to happen — or not happen? 
  • How can I tell if content is AI-generated or real? For example, how can I find out if an image is a deepfake or an actual photo? 

When might I connect with a real human for support?

Help means everything. It means AI can give you quick information. It also means a real person can help you navigate your thoughts, feelings and experiences. Ultimately, it’s about accessing support in whatever ways make sense for you.  

You might choose to contact a real human you can trust if you’re seeking: 

  • urgent help in unsafe situations  
  • ways to cope with thoughts of suicide 
  • support that recognizes your unique experiences 
  • help with a safety plan 
  • connection, culture and / or community 
  • ongoing relationships and / or in-person support 
  • space to discuss / explore your thoughts, feelings and actions 
75%

On average, 75% of young people contacting KHP share something they’ve never told anyone before.

How can I contact a real person for help?

KHP offers help in all sizes by pairing technology (including AI) alongside real human support to give young people’s feelings a place to go. Youth across Canada can get free, confidential, multilingual help any time, day or night, at KHP.  

You can tap to learn more about the following programs, services and resources at KHP: 

Category Learn

Need help now? Text our texting service.

Category Learn

Need help now? Web Message

Category Learn

Our trained, volunteer crisis responders

Category Learn

Call us

Category Learn

Live Chat counselling

Category Learn

Our professional counsellors

Category Learn

Resources Around Me

Category Learn

Want to talk to your peers? Check out these support forums.

Category Learn

Read about our mental health website resources

Category Learn

Our e-mental health services

You might also contact an adult you trust such as a parent / caregiver, teacher, Elder, health-care professional or social worker, or a trusted friend or classmate. 

Whether through real human connection and / or AI for mental health support, you can get help for any feeling, big or small, in the ways that feel best for you. 

]]> Learn Learn Learn Learn Learn Learn Learn Learn Learn Learn Kids Help Phone Sets a New Standard of Care for Youth Mental Health at Elevate 2025 https://kidshelpphone.ca/publications/kids-help-phone-sets-a-new-standard-of-care-for-youth-mental-health-at-elevate-2025/ Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:48:56 +0000 https://kidshelpphone.ca/?post_type=publications&p=84175 Read More...

]]> TORONTO (ON), October 8, 2025 –  One year after introducing acceleratorKHP on the Elevate stage as a bold catalyst for youth mental health innovation in Canada, Kids Help Phone (KHP) returned to announce a transformative shift in mental health support that seamlessly integrates human connection with the power of generative AI, setting a new benchmark for care in the digital age.

Youth in Canada are facing a mental health crisis. Since 2020, KHP has interacted with young people more than 22 million times. Over the past decade, the number of young people reporting good mental health has steadily declined. Today, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people in Canada.

“Technology continues to redefine how young people relate to their world,” says Justin Scaini, Group Head and Executive Vice President, Strategy, Innovation and Transformation. “Generative AI is transforming how youth seek information, communicate, and engage. Mental health is one of the top reasons young people turn to GenAI.”

For over 36 years, KHP has been a trusted leader in youth mental health in Canada. No one understands the evolving needs of young people across the country quite like KHP, because the organization interacts with youth more than 4 million times annually. 

To fulfill its promise of offering new pathways to help that are authentic and intuitive in young people’s worlds, KHP is building a new standard of care. Through acceleratorKHP, the organization is revolutionizing how youth mental health supports are designed and delivered—leveraging one of a kind coast to coast-to-coast clinical infrastructure, real-time de-identified and anonymized data, research, AI, and partnerships to ensure youth can access help whenever and wherever they need it most.

Developed through acceleratorKHP, KHP’s GenAI tool will offer a personalized experience built with and for young people—providing choice, flexibility, safety, and credibility.

At the heart of this innovation is KHP’s extraordinary data resource: over 50 million data points that have been aggregated and anonymized from conversations with youth. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all support, acceleratorKHP is unlocking new possibilities for personalization, accessibility, and relevance. The GenAI tool is being co-created with youth and is actively in prototyping—because that’s the only way to truly understand and meet their needs. By putting youth at the center and prioritizing safety from the start, KHP is building a tool that truly understands and protects those it’s meant to serve.

Blending human connection with KHP’s GenAI product in development, young people will experience a new standard of support—one that understands their unique words, feels intuitive from the beginning, and evolves with their needs.

The GenAI tool will be able to appropriately assess risk levels, whether it’s a minor concern, suicidal ideation, or suicidal action and initiate the right steps to keep the young person safe. A trained KHP clinical professional will always be available to respond, 24/7.

“KHP is committed to blending technology with empathy, privacy and safety to ensure support meets the pace of innovation and matches the needs of young people across the country,” says Alisa Simon, Group Head and Executive Vice President, e-Mental Health Transformation and Clinical Services. “This tool is not about AI replacing humans as KHP intimately understands the importance of youth being able to connect with a counsellor or trained responder 24/7—it’s about enhancing and strengthening support.”

KHP’s work is possible because its models are trained on KHP’s one-of-a-kind, diverse data set, integrated with clinical frameworks and quality assurance processes that have made the organization a trusted space for youth for over three decades.

While the GenAI tool is still in early development, the vision is clear: to connect young people to the support they need, in the moments they need it most, and in ways that reflect the realities of their world today. Because to young people, help means everything.

FAST FACTS

  • 75% of service users tell KHP something they’ve never told anyone before
  • Since the start of 2020, KHP has had more than 22 million interactions with service users across Canada
  • Last year, 49 per cent of youth said that if they had not reached out to KHP, they would have ignored the issue or hoped it went away, which is a significant barrier to good mental health

To get involved with acceleratorKHP and follow KHP’s innovation journey, visit www.acceleratorkhp.ca.

About Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone (KHP) is Canada’s first and only 24/7 e-mental health solution and a global leader in youth mental health innovation. For 36 years, KHP has been the space for any feeling or issue, no matter how big or small, empowering young people across Canada to feel out loud with free, confidential, multilingual support. With innovation in our DNA, KHP continually evolves by blending technology with the empathy of our clinical experts to better serve youth. KHP recently launched acceleratorKHP to drive scalable solutions for complex mental health issues, amplifying youth voices and fostering global partnerships. KHP gratefully relies on the generosity of donors, volunteers, stakeholder partners, corporate partners and governments to fuel and fund our programs. Discover more at kidshelpphone.ca. 

For more information, please contact:  

Kids Phone Communications Team 

]]> Desjardins Reaches $2M Milestone in Support of Kids Help Phone and Youth Mental Health https://kidshelpphone.ca/publications/desjardins-reaches-2m-milestone-in-support-of-kids-help-phone-and-youth-mental-health/ Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:45:21 +0000 https://kidshelpphone.ca/?post_type=publications&p=83704 Read More...

]]> With its support of Kids Help Phone’s Feel Out Loud movement, Desjardins is making sure more young people have somewhere to turn during the challenges of back-to-school 

TORONTO (ON), August 21, 2025 – Desjardins has supported Kids Help Phone (KHP) for more than 33 years, championing young people’s right to Feel Out Loud. Today, KHP is proud to announce that Desjardins has reached a remarkable $2 million milestone in support of the Feel Out Loud movement since 2020. This contribution was made through Desjardins’ Together for Our Youth program, which helps build stronger communities and invests in young people’s education, health and well-being across Canada. With this latest investment KHP can continue to expand access to support, ensuring even more young people have a safe space to let their feelings out.  

Back-to-school can be a pivotal time for students, as academic and social pressures often intensify. In 2024, KHP saw an 18% increase in texting conversations around back-to-school time compared to the four months prior. This is a clear indication that many young people are in critical need of mental health support when they are transitioning back-to-school. During this period, the volume of conversations about anxiety and stress rose by over 20%, emphasizing the growing demand for accessible mental health support. 

“Back-to-school is a transitional time that can be difficult for some students, parents, caregivers and educators to navigate,” says Susan Morris, Interim President & co-CEO, Kids Help Phone. “Since 2020, Desjardins has been a dedicated supporter of our back-to-school program, helping us meet young people in classrooms and communities across the country. This significant contribution will allow us to always be there when a young person reaches out and asks, ‘Can you help me feel better?’”

With support from Desjardins through the back-to-school program, KHP is offering support that meets young people where they are. Whether by text, phone, online chat or self-directed resources, KHP is making sure youth know how to reach out. KHP offers support in English, French, and more than 100 other languages. Services are designed to meet the unique needs of Black, Indigenous and newcomer youth, include safety planning for those in crisis, and offer easier access to a wide range of online and local resources. No issue is too big. No feeling is too small.

“Every young person deserves to feel heard, supported and empowered. These are the foundations that help shape their future. Kids Help Phone provides that support across Canada, and the Feel Out Loud movement opens doors to connection and care when it’s needed the most. This investment is more than a gesture; it reflects our belief in the potential of youth and our commitment to helping them thrive, both in and outside of the classroom,” said Guy Cormier, President and CEO of Desjardins Group.

KHP’s Feel Out Loud movement is scaling access to support, advancing equity and reshaping the country’s e-mental health ecosystem through innovation so more young people’s feelings have a place to go. To offer more youth help in all sizes, you can join the Feel Out Loud movement at KidsHelpPhone.ca.

FAST FACTS 

  • KHP saw an 18% increase in texting conversations around back to school time (July-October) compared to the four months prior (March-June).
  • From July to October 2024, the volume of conversations about anxiety and stress rose by over 20%.
  • Over the past four years, the number of youth aged 13 and under reaching out about suicide has more than doubled.
  • Since the start of 2020, KHP has had more than 22 million interactions with service users across Canada.
  • 75% of service users tell KHP something they’ve never told anyone before. 
  • 80% of texters said they felt less upset after their conversation with KHP. 

About Kids Help Phone  

Kids Help Phone (KHP) is Canada’s only 24/7, free, confidential, and multilingual e-mental health solution. Whether through professional counselling, crisis response, or self-directed mental health resources, KHP has been a trusted space for youth for over 35 years. No matter the feeling or issue, big or small, KHP empowers young people to Feel Out Loud and access support whenever they need it most. KHP knows that young people and the issues they are facing are changing faster than ever. That’s why innovation is more than what we do – it’s who we are: a global leader in youth mental health that blends technology with empathy to better serve youth. KHP gratefully relies on the generosity of donors, volunteers, stakeholder partners, corporate partners and governments to unlock the hope young people need to thrive in their worlds. Join us at kidshelpphone.ca.  

About Desjardins

Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in North America and the sixth largest in the world, with assets of $501.3 billion as at June 30, 2025. It has been named one of the top employers in Canada by both Forbes magazine and Mediacorp. It has also been recognized as one of the World’s Best Banks 2025 by Forbes. The organization has more than 57,200 skilled employees. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, its online platforms, and its subsidiaries across Canada. Ranked among the world’s strongest banks according to The Banker magazine, Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and one of the highest credit ratings in the industry. In 2025, Desjardins Group is celebrating its 125th anniversary, marking more than a century of focusing its ambitions and expertise on being there for members and clients.

For more information, please contact:  

Kids Phone Communications Team 

]]> Support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-involved/support-for-first-nations-inuit-and-metis-youth/ Wed, 09 Jul 2025 05:54:55 +0000 https://kidshelpphone.ca/?post_type=page-non-service&p=83517 Read More...

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Support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth

Photograph by David Kilabuk.

Being Indigenous is a source of pride and strength — but it can also come with challenges that others don’t always see. Services are often hard to access, don’t reflect Indigenous ways of knowing or come with barriers like discrimination.

Here, you can explore how we’re here to support Inuit, First Nations, and Métis youth along the path as you walk towards balancing your mental, physical, spiritual and emotional well-being.

Learn about Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone’s free, 24/7, confidential e-mental health support services offer young people across Canada a non-judgmental space to Feel Out Loud and navigate their emotions.  

 

Designed and delivered by First Nations, Inuit and Métis people under the leadership of an Indigenous Advisory Council, Kids Help Phone offers dedicated Indigenous programming to First Nations youth from coast to coast to coast.  

Tap here to learn more about KHP’s Indigenous programming.

If you’re seeking mental health support right now, you can…

Text with a volunteer crisis responder

The trained, volunteer crisis responders at KHP can help people identify coping strategies and reflect on sources of strength and community in their lives through text.

To connect with a First Nations, Inuk, or Metis crisis responder when available, message FIRSTNATIONS, METIS or INUIT to 686868 to access confidential support

Message a volunteer crisis responder online

Use a web browser on a phone or computer to access confidential support with a trained, volunteer crisis responder through online messaging.

Call a professional counsellor

The professional counsellors at KHP recognize the strengths of young people by helping them find ways to manage their challenges.
Call 1-800-668-6868 and press 3 to access confidential and anonymous support.

Counselling is also available over the phone in Plains Cree, Severn Ojibwe, Inuktitut or French with the help of trained interpreters from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Explore Indigenous-focused content

Indigenous youth playing outside in the snow with a bright sun in the background.

Explore Additional Resources

Resources Around Me is a directory of programs and services and even apps on a wide range of topics. The directory is searchable by community, language, type of service and more.

 

VISIT DATABASE
Indigenous artwork featuring an eagle, bear and wolf.

Storytelling can change lives

Artwork by Kade Nolan.

Want to check out more stories (or share your own)?

Explore the Feel Out Loud Community Creator Space at Kids Help Phone.

Check out self-guided online resources

An Indigenous young person using a tablet to explore KHP’s peer-to-peer community.

Connect with Other Youth

The Peer-to-Peer Community is a community of support through an online discussion forum for and by young people. In the community, youth can anonymously share their personal experiences, offer inspiration and ask questions to connect, comfort and cheer each other on. 

VISIT THE PEER-TO-PEER COMMUNITY

Download Printable Mental Health Resources

For content in Indigenous languages, you can explore and download the PDF resources below.

 

 

 

 

 

]]> Indigenous youth playing outside in the snow with a bright sun in the background. Indigenous artwork featuring an eagle, bear and wolf. An Indigenous young person using a tablet to explore KHP’s peer-to-peer community. Kids Help Phone (KHP) Presents the Next Chapter of Feel Out Loud — Canada’s Largest Youth Mental Health Movement https://kidshelpphone.ca/publications/kids-help-phone-khp-presents-the-next-chapter-of-feel-out-loud-canadas-largest-youth-mental-health-movement/ Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://kidshelpphone.ca/?post_type=publications&p=83401 Read More...

]]> Seventy-five per cent of service users tell KHP something they’ve never told anyone before 

TORONTO (ON), June 16, 2025 – Today, Kids Help Phone announces the next evolution of Canada’s largest youth mental health movement. Powered by new insights from more than 50 million real-time, real-language, geographically tagged data points and grounded in over three decades of trust, this next chapter invites people across Canada, especially adults, to rally behind young people by donating and amplifying the need for accessible, inclusive mental health support.  

At the heart of this movement is one powerful truth: seventy-five per cent of service users tell KHP something they’ve never told anyone before.  

“The next chapter of Feel Out Loud challenges the idea that Kids Help Phone is only for ‘serious problems’. For many young people, the word ‘help’ can feel overwhelming, intimidating, or even out of reach, especially when they’re struggling to make sense of everything happening around them,” says Katherine Hay, President & Co-CEO, Retired Designate, Kids Help Phone. “The evolving Feel Out Loud movement reflects the complex reality youth are facing today—eco-anxiety, economic stress, bullying, relationships, and more. It redefines what help means by capturing the full spectrum of emotions young people experience, including the ones that feel awkward, confusing, or difficult to express. It’s built on what youth have told us help looks like to them, and why it matters.”  

Harnessing powerful new insights from KHP’s anonymized data, the Feel Out Loud movement brings youth voices to the forefront, proving that for many young people, help means everything. Since 2020, KHP has interacted with young people across Canada more than 22 million times. The demand continues to rise, especially among equity-deserving youth.  

KHP understands that a young person’s world is shaped by their unique identity, their family and community, their digital universe and wherever they live in Canada. The next chapter of Feel Out Loud is powered by KHP’s unmatched data and guided by the real experiences of youth. The data reveals a deeply urgent need for more responsive, inclusive support: 

  • Over the past four years, the number of youth aged 13 and under reaching out about suicide has more than doubled. 
  • In 2024, Black youth accessed KHP’s services at nearly twice their proportion of the Canadian population — and Indigenous youth at twice their representation. 
  • In the last six months, almost 20% of conversations have revolved around the economy or employment, demonstrating the negative impact that geopolitical and economic crises are having on the mental health of youth.
  • Between 2023-2024, KHP received 28% more conversations about sexual abuse from youth who mentioned sharing feelings with KHP that they’ve never shared before.  
  • Last year, 49% of youth said that if they had not reached out to KHP, they would have ignored the issue or hoped it went away — which is a significant barrier to good mental health. 

“In every message and call we receive, there’s a story of courage,” says Alisa Simon, Group Head and Executive Vice President, e-Mental Health Transformation and Clinical Services, Kids Help Phone. “We are witnessing a mental health crisis among youth in Canada, and yet we’re also seeing something powerful—young people turning to us when they feel like no one else will understand. Feel Out Loud gives voice to those experiences—and calls on all adults to help us meet this growing need.” 

 Powered by KHP data, the creative features thousands of new iterations of Kids Help Phone’s name, each expanding on the meaning of ‘help’ with unique feelings featured in contextual placements. 

KHP is calling on all of Canada to ensure critical funds are raised for youth mental health. By supporting KHP, you can show young people there’s a place for them to Feel Out Loud and access mental health support whenever they need it most. 

Join the movement. Help means everything. Donate now. 

About Kids Help Phone  

Kids Help Phone (KHP) is Canada’s only 24/7, free, confidential, and multilingual e-mental health solution. Whether through professional counselling, crisis response, or self-directed mental health resources, KHP has been a trusted space for youth for over 36 years. No matter the feeling or issue, big or small, KHP empowers young people to Feel Out Loud and access support whenever they need it most. KHP knows that young people and the issues they are facing are changing faster than ever. That’s why innovation is more than what we do – it’s who we are: a global leader in youth mental health that blends technology with empathy to better serve youth. KHP gratefully relies on the generosity of donors, volunteers, stakeholder partners, corporate partners and governments to unlock the hope young people need to thrive in their worlds. Join us at kidshelpphone.ca.  

For more information, please contact:  

Kids Help Phone Communications Team 

]]> fol 2.0_pr hero image $1M from Co-operators Powers Kids Help Phone Peer-to-Peer Community for Youth Across Canada https://kidshelpphone.ca/publications/1m-from-co-operators-powers-kids-help-phone-peer-to-peer-community-for-youth-across-canada/ Wed, 28 May 2025 12:01:00 +0000 https://kidshelpphone.ca/?post_type=publications&p=83252 Read More...

]]> New funding expands support and connection from coast to coast to coast 

TORONTO (ON), May 28, 2025 – Kids Help Phone (KHP) is proud to announce that with a renewed commitment Co-operators has reached $1M in support of youth through KHP’s Feel Out Loud movement — Canada’s largest movement for youth mental health. This latest contribution will help expand access to essential support and services for young people across the country.   

This commitment builds on Co-operators legacy of supporting youth mental health for more than three decades. As a founding donor of KHP’s 24/7 texting service and the Peer-to-Peer Community, Co-operators has been instrumental in driving forward some of KHP’s most impactful mental health innovations. 

This transformative investment will support the Peer-to-Peer Community, empowering youth from coast-to-coast-coast with a safe, co-created, youth-led online space to explore and let their feelings out. KHP staff and Peer-to-Peer moderators will also explore innovative approaches to maximize the impact of the platform, ensuring even more young people across Canada feel safe, supported, and heard as they engage with the Peer-to-Peer Community. 

In 2024, the Peer-to-Peer Community platform had a record 301,693 interactions, marking a 15% increase in volume compared to 2023, and the highest number of interactions since its launch in 2021. 

As a core component of KHP’s vision for a more personalized and equitable e-mental health ecosystem, the Peer-to-Peer Community helps ensure youth can access the support they deserve in the ways that work best for them. 

“Co-operators latest investment in KHP’s services is a powerful example of the lasting impact that comes from a strong, long-term partnership,” said Susan Morris, Interim President & Co-CEO, KHP. “Their ongoing generosity has helped us create safe, inclusive spaces where young people can turn to one another for connection and hope. We are incredibly grateful for their unwavering commitment to youth mental health.”   

“Young people deserve mental health support that’s accessible, inclusive, and designed with them in mind,” said Shawna Peddle, Associate Vice-President, Citizenship at Co-operators. “We’re honoured to support KHP’s Feel Out Loud movement and the Peer-to-Peer Community, ensuring more young people have safe spaces to feel heard, supported, and empowered to navigate life’s challenges.” 

Together, KHP and Co-operators are building a more supportive, connected future where all young people in Canada have the opportunity to grow stronger, together. 

FAST FACTS 

  • Since the start of 2020, KHP has had more than 22 million interactions with service users across Canada
  • Over the last 4 years, the number of youth aged 13 and under who have contacted KHP about suicide has more than doubled. 
  • 75% of service users tell KHP something they’ve never told anyone before. 
  • 80% of texters said they felt less upset after their conversation with KHP. 

About Kids Help Phone  

Kids Help Phone (KHP) is Canada’s only 24/7, free, confidential, and multilingual e-mental health solution. Whether through professional counselling, crisis response, or self-directed mental health resources, KHP has been a trusted space for youth for over 35 years. No matter the feeling or issue, big or small, KHP empowers young people to Feel Out Loud and access support whenever they need it most. KHP knows that young people and the issues they are facing are changing faster than ever. That’s why innovation is more than what we do – it’s who we are: a global leader in youth mental health that blends technology with empathy to better serve youth. KHP gratefully relies on the generosity of donors, volunteers, stakeholder partners, corporate partners and governments to unlock the hope young people need to thrive in their worlds. Join us at kidshelpphone.ca.  

About Co-operators 

Proudly Canadian since 1945, Cooperators is a leading financial services co-operative, offering multi-line insurance and investment products, services, and personalized advice to help Canadians build their financial strength and security. With more than $72 billion in assets under administration, Cooperators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. Currently a carbon neutral organization, Co-operators is committed to net-zero emissions in its operations and investments by 2040, and 2050, respectively. Cooperators is recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and ranked as one of Corporate Knights’ Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada. For more information, please visit: www.cooperators.ca. 

For more information, please contact:  

Kids Phone Communications Team 

For media inquiries: 
Email: media@cooperators.ca 

]]> Dr. Lydia Sequeira https://kidshelpphone.ca/people/dr-lydia-sequeira/ Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:10:11 +0000 https://kidshelpphone.ca/?post_type=people&p=83099 Read More...

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Dr. Lydia Sequeira is the Executive Director, Applied Research at Kids Help Phone. She’s an experienced researcher and academic who’s passionate about sharing her digital health expertise to advance access to mental health supports for young people across Canada.

Lydia holds a PhD in Health Services Research and a Master of Health Informatics from the University of Toronto. She has authored / co-authored more than 30 peer-reviewed papers on topics such as digital phenotyping, implementation science, predictive analytics for suicide risk and social determinants of health.

While working at the Digital Mental Health Lab at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Canada Health Infoway, Lydia received research fellowships from AMS Healthcare and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and collaborated on several national research grants.

Lydia believes in inspiring the next generation and regularly lectures at post-secondary institutions across Ontario. She’s also dedicated to building and fostering community within the digital health field. She mentors with regional non-profit organizations and has held leadership roles within global medical informatics groups. In 2024, Lydia was honoured to be recognized for her work with a Women Leaders in Digital Health Award from Digital Health Canada.

Meet the rest of our team
Our people
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Depression. Anxiety. Stress. Abuse. Thoughts of suicide. No matter what you’re feeling, you might want to get it off your mind. Wondering how to get started?

When your feelings need a place to go, we’re here for you. With Kids Help Phone’s web messaging service, you can connect with a trained, volunteer crisis responder for support on your phone or computer any time, about anything, via web message. 

Kids Help Phone’s texting service is free and available in English and French across Canada 24/7 when you want to let your feelings out without judgment. Your conversation with a volunteer crisis responder is confidential (but not anonymous). This means we might be able to view some of your information if (and only if!) we believe someone’s at risk of harm. To find out more about what that means, you can review our web messaging service’s privacy policy. 

What happens when I contact Kids Help Phone’s web messaging service? 

To start using this service, message online from a web browser on desktop or mobile. The first few replies you receive will be automated responses from Kids Help Phone giving you more information about the service and our privacy policy. 

After that, you’ll be connected with a volunteer crisis responder who can communicate with you about what’s on your mind — no feeling too big or small. You can end the conversation at any time by sending the word STOP. (This means we won’t send you any more messages unless you contact us again.) 

You can follow these three instructions to connect with a volunteer crisis responder!

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1. Message online or text CONNECT to 686868 from anywhere in Canada, any time, about anything.
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2. Wait for a volunteer crisis responder to receive the message or text and let you know they’re here to support you.
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3. Web message or text with the volunteer crisis responder as they help you navigate whatever you’re experiencing.

No issue, feeling or concern is too big or too small to contact a volunteer crisis responder about. For everything you can’t tell anyone, you can let it out through online message or text. Connect with us any time.

]]> Step One Icon Step Two Icon Step Three Icon Learn Learn Learn Learn Kids Help Phone Launches acceleratorKHP Globally during Davos 2025 https://kidshelpphone.ca/publications/kids-help-phone-launches-acceleratorkhp-globally-during-davos-2025/ Wed, 22 Jan 2025 15:42:02 +0000 https://kidshelpphone.ca/?post_type=publications&p=82622 Read More...

]]> Toronto (ON), January 22, 2025 – Following a successful Canadian launch at the Elevate Festival in October, Kids Help Phone (KHP) debuts acceleratorKHP during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. acceleratorKHP is the pathway to the next generation of youth mental health and well-being support – putting young people at the centre of their experience in ways never before possible. acceleratorKHP will help address the growing mental health crisis globally and deliver a personalized experience with and for youth along with deep clinical expertise and leading technology partners.

For over 35 years, KHP has been a safe and trusted space for young people to Feel Out Loud, often serving as the only place where they feel comfortable sharing what’s on their mind. 75% of KHP users share something they’ve never told anyone before, and KHP has facilitated over 22 million interactions with youth across Canada since 2020.  By blending leading-edge technology with the empathy of clinical experts, KHP is uniquely positioned to deliver transformative solutions to meet the evolving needs of youth. Leveraging KHP’s unparalleled expertise, including the largest youth mental health dataset in Canada, state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and decades of experience, acceleratorKHP is revolutionizing youth mental health solutions.

“The global launch of acceleratorKHP at Davos 2025 represents a transformative milestone for Kids Help Phone and giant leap forward for youth mental health solutions worldwide,” said Katherine Hay, President & CEO, Kids Help Phone. “As a global thought leader in e-mental health innovation, we are committed to responding to the complex needs of youth through strategic partnerships and global collaboration. acceleratorKHP represents the future of mental health and wellness solutions, putting young people at the centre of their care.”

acceleratorKHP  builds on the success of KHP’s Feel Out Loud movement by introducing innovative tools like Resources Around Me. This free platform connects young people, families, and communities to over 40,000 trusted services across Canada, including a comprehensive database of certified mental health and wellbeing apps. Additional key projects include:

  • Aselo – KHP’s best-in-class contact centre platform that automates tasks for counsellors so they can dedicate less effort to administration and devote more time to their clinical expertise.
  • Service Deserts/ Micro-Targeting Services – KHP’s service-gap mapping and data-visualization tool.
  • Trend-Spotting Insights Dashboard – A tool that analyzes how people engage with wellness topics on social media, enabling KHP to gain a deeper understanding of online conversations and the ways youth prefer to interact with mental health content in digital spaces.
  • FAIIR: Frontline Assistant Issue Identification and Recommendation – KHP’s FAIIR model is a novel AI prototype that can reliably and automatically predict clinical concerns in conversations and translate the language youth are using into a clinical context. 

By extending its reach worldwide, KHP aims to spark a global movement that prioritizes youth mental well-being at the heart of the conversation.

To join the movement and learn more about acceleratorKHP, visit www.acceleratorkhp.ca.

Fast Facts

  • KHP’s has the most unique dataset of its kind in Canada with 45M+ real-time, real-language data points in the voices of youth and what they are experiencing in any moment.
  • 75% of service users tell KHP something they’ve never told anyone before.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth in Canada. Canada has the third highest youth suicide rate for all developed countries. Nearly a quarter of service interactions with KHP are related to suicide.

About Kids Help Phone  

Kids Help Phone (KHP) is Canada’s trailblazing 24/7 e-mental health solution and a global leader in youth mental health innovation. For over 35 years, KHP has been the space for any feeling or issue, no matter how big or small, empowering young people across Canada to feel out loud with free, confidential, multilingual support. With innovation in our DNA, KHP continually evolves by blending technology with the empathy of our clinical experts to better serve youth. In 2024, KHP launched acceleratorKHP to drive scalable solutions for complex mental health issues, amplifying youth voices and fostering global partnerships. By redefining mental health care through e-solutions, KHP is setting a global standard for transformative impact, shaping the future of mental wellness and ensuring every young person thrives. Join KHP in reshaping the mental health landscape and unlocking hope through innovation. Discover more at kidshelpphone.ca.

For more information, please contact:  

Kids Phone Communications Team 

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