Kids Help Phone

Supports

Provides free, confidential mental health support by text with trained volunteer crisis responders for young people across Canada.

Who Are the Crisis Responders?

Crisis responders are trained volunteers from diverse communities across the country. They complete 36 hours of online training and are supervised by professional Kids Help Phone staff with graduate or post-graduate education or extensive crisis intervention experience.

How They Help

Crisis responders listen without judgment and help support you from a hot moment to a cool calm. They show empathy, help you identify coping strategies, and reflect on your strengths, supports, and available low or no cost mental health services and self-care resources.

Availability

Text support with a crisis responder is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in English and French.

Indigenous Support Option

Young people who identify as First Nations, Inuit or Metis can ask to be matched with an Indigenous crisis responder when starting a text conversation, if one is available.

How to Access

To connect with a crisis responder, text the word CONNECT to 686868.

Confidentiality

Text conversations with Kids Help Phone crisis responders are confidential within the service guidelines. For full details, see the Kids Help Phone privacy policy.