A new school year begins and with the added stress kids face with the current unrest, the Kids Help Phone (KHP) has never been more important to young people than it is now.
Technology has increased, opening up new avenues to reach more kids who are in need of counselling. Most students nowadays have personal cell phones, tablets and computers giving them more open access to help when needed.
KHP can be reached by calling 1-800-686-6868, texting 686868 or chatting online, giving students the freedom to talk when they feel stressed.
The Saskatchewan government is providing an extra $75,000 a year for the next three years for a total of $225,000 to meet the needs of Saskatchewan’s kids. This is an increase of $27,000 per year as compared to 2020-21. The funds allocated are to help students, staff and families to ensure easy access to support as needed.
"Student mental health is always incredibly important and even more so this week as students return to school," Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. "Kids Help Phone is a valued partner with government and provides students with a safe place to reach out if they need someone to talk to."
The counsellors and volunteers are trained in a wide variety of areas including bullying and eating disorders to self-injury and suicide. Anything you need, someone will listen.
“As back-to-school approaches, we are grateful for the generous ongoing funding we receive from the Government of Saskatchewan. Today’s announcement of new and additional funding means that we can continue to innovate to meet the critical needs of youth in Saskatchewan,” Kids Help Phone President and CEO Katherine Hay said earlier this week. “Whether by phone, text or through our dynamic new Gateway website, young people can connect with us whenever, wherever and however they want or need. Kids Help Phone is the only 24/7 bilingual e-mental health service for youth in Canada and we thank the premier and the minister for ensuring the youth of Saskatchewan have the support they need, particularly now during these unprecedented and challenging times.”
Last year, along with the committed funding, the government added nearly $500,000 more to offer Mental Health First Aid training to 27 Saskatchewan school divisions with the intent to have at least one staff member trained in each school.
