The federal government has announced $3 million in funding to Kids Help Phone to support the mental wellness of young people from Indigenous, Black, newcomer and underserved communities across Canada, including those in rural and remote regions.
The announcement was made Friday by Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.
"Increasing resources and removing barriers to mental health care for children and youth in Canada, especially those in underserved communities, is a priority for our government," she said. "Today's funding to Kids Help Phone will help more young people from coast to coast to coast access the tools they need to support themselves and their peers, and will help to spread the message that it's ok to not feel ok and that they are not alone."
Kids Help Phone will use the funding to expand its Counsellor in the Classroom program which offers Grades 4 and 5 students a glimpse into how Kids Help Phone counsellors can support them with their mental health. Their Weaving Threads program will be scaled up to reach Indigenous communities nationally, and will be adapted for national delivery to Black and newcomer communities.
A statement from the government said this announcement is part of a $100 million investment provided in Budget 2021 to support projects that promote mental health and prevent mental illness in populations disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Today's announcement of a $3M investment to help us support the mental health of young people from Indigenous, Black, and equity-deserving communities across Canada, shows the Government of Canada's commitment to mental health for all. These much-needed community based, e-mental health programs will expand Kids Help Phone's reach and provide support to young people who need it. We are a safe space for young people - providing bilingual support, 24/7, in every province and territory, for any problem they are facing, big or small," said Katherine Hay, President and CEO Kids Help Phone.
