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A YEAR OF UNLOCKING HOPE

As the COVID-19 pandemic wore on, in 2021 young people across Canada continued to face unprecedented stress, anxiety and upheaval.

As the COVID-19 pandemic wore on, in 2021 young people across Canada continued to face unprecedented stress, anxiety and upheaval.

They needed us more than ever. And we were there – thanks to you.

Fuelled by the generosity of our national community of donors, partners, volunteers and champions, 2021 was a year of innovation and a year of progress – for equity, for access, and for hope.

Every dollar invested, every hour volunteered, and every message of support brought us closer to the future we envision: one in which every young person in Canada is empowered with the hope they need to truly thrive in their world.

It’s a future we’re creating together. And we can’t thank you enough.

Impact in numbers

In 2021, young people reached out to Kids Help Phone 4.6 million times – an average of 12,300 times every single day.

That’s 4.6 million sparks of hope. 4.6 million moments of empowerment, comfort, and support. 4.6 million reminders that they’re never alone.

Here’s how they connected with us:

172,091

242,020

102,000

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Professional counselling and Live Chat sessions

Sessions through Kids Help Phone’s Texting Service

Sessions in our new Peer-to-Peer Community

African American Girl With Phone

Every day, young people experiencing suicidal ideation reach out to Kids Help Phone while in crisis. Our team of professional counsellors and volunteer crisis responders are trained to actively support these young people to reduce their risk of harm and empower them to seek help and safety in their community. Since 2019, we have completed more than 10,000 referrals to emergency services for individuals at imminent risk, keeping service users safe from harm.

Access to support

In 2021, thousands of young people from equity-deserving communities reached out to Kids Help Phone for judgment‑free, confidential and compassionate support.

  • “My crisis responder helped me so much. I shared things with her that I don't speak much about and she really made me feel seen and heard.” -Kids Help Phone Service User

    75% of service users said they shared something with Kids Help Phone that they’ve never shared before.

  • “After texting with my crisis responder, I am more at ease and ready to take things hour by hour and day by day.” -Kids Help Phone Service User

    86% of service users said they felt less upset after interacting with Kids Help Phone.

  • “For once, I did not feel judged or overlooked, which had been my experience trying to access mental health support in the town where I live.” -Kids Help Phone Service User

    40% of service users live in rural communities.

  • “I’m from a small town and feel like I can’t truly be who I am. You didn’t judge me at all, and instead created space for me to express myself. I feel so much lighter.” -Kids Help Phone Service User

    39% of service users self‑identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

  • “It’s so hard to connect with mental health resources designed just for Indigenous youth. Being able to speak with someone who understands where I’m coming from has been an incredible experience. I finally feel seen and heard.” -Kids Help Phone Service User

    8.6% of service users self‑identify as Indigenous (4.9% of total population).

  • “As a Black person, I’ve often felt like my concerns about racism or discrimination aren’t taken seriously. You really listened, understood my feelings and didn’t judge me.” -Kids Help Phone Service User

    5.8% of service users self‑identify as Black (3.5% of total population).

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Top five concerns

The top five issues young people reached out about on our texting platform:

- anxiety or stress (40%)
- relationships (37%)
- depression (28%)
- suicidality (22%)
- isolation (17%)

Woman with a phone

“I am so grateful for you and all the patience you had for me. You knew when to give me a moment to breathe and you knew the appropriate time to check back in. You made me feel heard and not dismissed. Thank you for what you do here.” -Kids Help Phone Service User

Accelerating access in a digital world

Accelerating access in a digital world

Accelerating access in a digital world

Kids are changing faster than ever; technology even faster. To keep up with the constantly changing needs of the young people we serve, we set the wheels in motion to radically scale our ecosystem of supports and maximize access to services through the power of technology, data and innovation.

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