Stand for equity On our journey for justice, we looked inward first

Following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, Kids Help Phone resolved once and for all to turn our grief and anger into action. Throughout the remainder of that year, we embarked on a journey of unlearning across the organization – engaging in conversation, inviting guest speakers, publicly sharing our commitment to anti-racism and making plans.

At the heart of all of this work is a deep desire to ensure our services are as safe and effective as possible for every young person reaching out for support. In turn, embedding mental health justice and equity into the very DNA of our organization.

In 2021, that foundational work led to the creation of the CEO Inclusion Diversity Equity Access (IDEA) Taskforce to formalize and advance our efforts. The Taskforce created a three-year framework that is now guiding our journey of anti-racism, anti-oppression and reconciliation. The framework calls for specific, measurable actions spanning all areas of the organization: volunteers and employees, clinical and program service, community engagement and partnerships and engaging and communicating.

We have already made significant progress: building sustainable partnerships with community organizations and vendors that reflect the diversity of the young people we serve; engaging our staff and volunteers in ongoing training and education opportunities; hiring diverse leaders; ensuring the language we use is accessible and free from discrimination and so much more. Every step of the way, we are informed and guided by the voices of the young people we serve.

On our path to advancing mental health justice and equity for every young person, we will not waver – and we will never back down.

“A future where youth from diverse communities across Canada can come as they are to access support for their mental health and well-being to be part of transforming tomorrow.” - Kids Help Phone’s IDEA Vision

Indigenous youth

For centuries, First Nation, Inuit and Métis Peoples from coast to coast to coast have been subjected to cultural genocide, systemic racism and colonial legacies that have eroded their communities, identities and physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. This has led to a mental health crisis among Indigenous youth that is recognized as among the most extreme in the world.

To address this crisis and improve access to safe, compassionate and culturally responsive mental health support for Indigenous youth, in 2021 we launched Brighter Days: An Indigenous Wellness program supported by Sun Life

– a new initiative within Finding Hope , the action plan guiding our work to remove obstacles to well-being for Indigenous youth Canada‑wide.

Developed by Indigenous educators, school counsellors and community program workers, and led by Kids Help Phone’s Indigenous Advisory Council , the program is supporting youth with skills, tools and resources to find hope and wellness in the midst of crisis and create pathways to long-term resilience. It’s offered to any group of Indigenous youth between the ages of six and 29 in both audio and video format.

With the generous support of Sun Life and other donors, the program will expand to deliver sessions in over 300 communities Canada-wide – reaching more than 4,500 youth in schools, group homes and youth and community centres over the next three years.

Recognizing the first annual National Day For Truth and Reconciliation

“As a staff team, we paused on the first National Day For Truth and Reconciliation to remember the souls lost to residential schools, and to reflect on the trauma held by the survivors. Each in our own way, we paused, we learned, and we deeply reinforced our commitment to walking our shared journey of truth and reconciliation. We will continue to fight for the realization of justice and equity for every Indigenous young person in Canada – for their right to hope, to be heard, to be acknowledged, to heal, and to pursue their dreams.”
– Katherine Hay, President & CEO, Kids Help Phone

RiseUp

Youth in Canada who identify as African, Caribbean, Black or a part of the Afro-diaspora are significantly more likely to experience negative mental health impacts associated with anti-Black systemic racism and prejudice – and are far more likely to face obstacles to accessing mental health care.

To help Black youth unlock hope by breaking down barriers to safe, culturally responsive e-mental health support, in 2021 we launched RiseUp – a platform envisioned to be Canada’s first national, 24/7, bilingual e-mental health support service for youth that identify as Black and part of the Afro‑diaspora.

Offering texting support, online resources and a range of community-based engagement and education initiatives, RiseUp was designed and developed in collaboration with people and organizations from across the Afro-diaspora

and continues to be guided by the new Black Advisory Council , youth focus groups, and over 200 partner organizations serving Black youth and communities.

The framework of RiseUp is made possible by our generous community of donors, including a major investment from founding donor The Slaight Family Foundation.

Kids Help Phone’s data insights show that young people reaching out about racism are among our most distressed service users. They are also more likely to discuss suicide.

That’s why we launched RiseUp – to create pathways to support and hope for young people struggling to find a shoulder to lean on. Since the launch of RiseUp, the following represent young people self‑identifying as Black:

42%

Increase in texting conversations
48%

Increase reaching out about suicide
45%

Increase reaching out about stress and anxiety
24%

Increase reaching out about racism/‌discrimination
86%

Said they got the support they were looking for from Kids Help Phone

Item 1 out of 5

"Black and Afro-diaspora youth have lacked equitable access to safe, culturally responsive mental health support. RiseUp is a powerful example of the bold change we need, one that puts the world on notice by the accountable message it sends: The time for systemic change that includes mental health justice for our young people is now. We won’t stand for anything less."– Lianne Hannaway, Board of Directors, Kids Help Phone & Member, Black Advisory Council