If you’re experiencing feelings such as anxiety about war, conflict, civil unrest, terrorism, violence, discrimination, racism and / or upsetting media content right now, you’re not alone. Trying to take care of yourself, worrying about the people you love, grieving over scenes of devastation, feeling unsafe in your community and more can be overwhelming. What’s happening in Israel, Palestine, Ukraine and other areas can bring up different feelings for everyone (e.g. anxiety, stress, grief, fear, sadness, anger, helplessness, hopelessness, confusion, etc.). It can be hard to know what to do if you or someone you know is struggling with these emotions. In this resource, Kids Help Phone shares mental health and wellness supports to help people in Canada navigate their feelings around war, conflict and more.
If you need support right now, Kids Help Phone’s free and confidential e-mental health services are open across Canada 24/7 in English and French. If you’re in immediate danger, emergency / community services are available across Canada, too.
We want to let you know that this page contains content, topics and links to resources some folks may find upsetting. If you’d like to talk about how you’re feeling, or explore this page with someone you can trust, you can connect with Kids Help Phone for support.
I’m experiencing anxiety about war and other strong feelings — how can I get mental health support?
For youth:
- Text 686868 to connect with a trained, volunteer crisis responder
- Call 1-800-668-6868 (using a landline, cellphone or VoIP service on a computer) or go to KidsHelpPhone.ca to contact a professional counsellor
- You can also access our professional phone counselling service in over 100 languages with the help of trained interpreters
- Visit KidsHelpPhone.ca/PeerToPeer to explore support forums from young people across Canada
- Use Resources Around Me to search for programs and services available nearest your location
For adults:
- Text 741741 to connect with a trained, volunteer crisis responder
Where can I find more wellness resources to help me cope with feelings about war?
You don’t have to carry your feelings on your own.
There’s always a space to let them out at Kids Help Phone.
If you or someone you know is experiencing feelings such as anxiety about war, conflict, etc. (or any other emotions), you can tap on the following resource cards and credible links to explore self-guided mental health and wellness supports.
Kids Help Phone’s resources for youth:
Kids Help Phone’s resources for caring adults:
Find comfort and connection for your feelings about war, upsetting news and more on the Peer-to-Peer Community.
Additional resources for coping with anxiety about war, navigating upsetting news, practising self-care, etc.:
- News can be traumatizing. Here’s how to cope (CBC Kids News)
- How to talk to kids and teens about the Israel-Hamas war (CP24)
- A Meditation for Processing Tragedy (Headspace)
- Helping Youth with War-Related Stress (Anxiety Canada)
- Trauma (AboutKidsHealth Teens)
- How To Teach Your Child Calm Breathing (Anxiety Canada)
- WEDS October 11 Hour 1: How to talk to kids about the Israel-Hamas war. We speak with Diana Martin from Kids Help Phone (starting at 21 minutes) (iHeart)
- How To Do Progressive Muscle Relaxation (Anxiety Canada)
- How to talk to your children about conflict and war (UNICEF)
- Worrying about Russia and Ukraine (Childline, a U.K. resource)
No matter what you’re experiencing, there are ways to let your feelings out and get help. For free, confidential, 24/7, bilingual e-mental health support, you can contact Kids Help Phone. You can also connect with someone you trust to explore your emotions (e.g. a parent / caregiver, family / community member, Elder, teacher, etc.). And if you need help right now, you can contact the emergency / community services nearest your area.
