Kids Help Phone’s e-mental health services are here 24/7 for people across Canada. Below, you can learn more about the services we offer and how you can get support with mental health and well-being.
Kids Help Phone’s non-judgmental, inclusive services are available to young people across Canada. This means we’re here for all kids, teens and young adults from coast to coast to coast.
If you contact Kids Help Phone’s youth support services as an adult, we’ll help you get the support you need. Adults can text 741741 to connect with a trained, volunteer crisis responder.
You can contact Kids Help Phone for support with any issue on your mind, big or small. You can get in touch about topics like bullying and abuse, friends and family, emotional well-being and more!
Kids Help Phone is here to support your mental health and well-being. While we don’t offer things like legal or medical advice, we may refer you to people who can.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, you can call or text 9-8-8 to connect with 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline for support. Kids Help Phone is a partner of 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, a support service available to anyone in Canada.
9-8-8 is a three-digit crisis helpline for people across Canada. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, you can call or text 9-8-8 to access free, confidential support in English or French, 24/7 (any time, day or night).
9-8-8 is here to help prevent suicide by making it as simple as possible for people to get support when they need it, no matter who they are or where they’re located.
When you call or text 9-8-8 (whatever’s most comfortable and accessible to you), you’ll receive a brief welcome message. You’ll then be asked a few questions (e.g. if you’d like support in English or French, etc.) to help direct your conversation to a trained 9-8-8 responder. They will then listen and support you, work with you to find ways to cope with your feelings and support you in finding ways to feel safer in the moment.
Calls and texts to 9-8-8 are confidential, meaning that anything you decide to share with the trained 9-8-8 responder stays between you and them. However, the trained 9-8-8 responder may be required to disclose your telephone number and other information to emergency / community services if they think you or others may be in danger. This is called “duty to report.” For more information on duty to report, you can review Kids Help Phone’s privacy policy.
It may be helpful to remember that for anonymous and confidential support for any issue or feeling you may be experiencing, you can contact Kids Help Phone’s professional counsellors any time by calling 1-800-668-6868. You can learn more about Kids Help Phone’s professional counselling and other services by continuing to explore the info on this page.
Kids Help Phone’s e-mental health services include phone, text and online chat support. Our one-to-one services are free and available in English and French. (Our phone service is also offered in over 100 languages including Plains Cree, Severn Ojibwe, Ukrainian, Russian, Pashto, Dari, Mandarin and Arabic with the help of trained interpreters.) Each time you reach out, you’ll be interacting with a different counsellor or crisis responder. You can learn more about each of our e-mental health services below!
(Close up of a generic phone screen)
(A messaging app is on the screen and text pops up)
Sometimes it’s tough to keep it all in.
(A message pops up on the screen “Hey, can we talk?”)
(A second and third message pops up. Messages increase in frequency until the screen is filled with message bubbles)
Is this normal?
I feel so alone
I think they’re splitting up
I don’t know how to tell them…
I can’t stop thinking about it
Why are they doing this?
Should I go all the way?
(The messages overlap and begin to blur)
It’s understandable if life starts to feel overwhelming. It’s okay not to be okay.
(Messages on the screen continue to overlap)
It just makes me so ANGRY!
I’ve tried everything…
Who AM I?
The envelope said “Final Notice”
I saw it on the news…I’m scared
It’s just too much
Where could I go?
I just want it to STOP
(The phone screen cracks and goes black)
Sometimes it can help to let it out.
(A phone screen enters the frame in the foreground of a living room with subdued colours)
(Close up view of the phone screen and a user enters the text CONNECT)
Kids Help Phone is here to support you. Anywhere in Canada, any time, about anything.
(Text exchange between a crisis responder and young person)
(Young person shares experience with a recent break-up)
Text 686868 or contact us through Facebook Messenger to reach a trained volunteer crisis responder. If you’re Indigenous, you can ask to be connected with a First Nations, Inuk or Metis crisis responder (if one’s available) by texting the words FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS.
(Cycle of a series of locations; classroom, community centre, bush party, kitchen, mall)
Text anywhere in Canada, any time, about anything.
Once you text in, you’ll receive a few automated messages about the service and your privacy. Then you’ll be connected with a real person — a trained volunteer crisis responder.
Trained volunteer crisis responder
(Blurred text messages are on screen and back and forth conversation continues)
24/7
Free
For Everyone
Private
Kids Help Phone’s 24/7 texting service is free, and it’s for everyone. What you tell us is private — it’s between you and Kids Help Phone unless your safety or someone else’s is at risk. If that happens, we may be able to connect you with emergency services.
(A nurse smiles warmly on the screen)
I’m here to support you.
A crisis responder will help you move from a hot moment to a cool calm.
(An overlaid icon of a sad face in red transitions to a calm, slightly smiling, yellow-green face)
If at any time you’d like to end the conversation, you can type STOP.
You’re welcome to text again whenever you need support.
(Close up on phone and a warm, yellow light fills the screen)
(Conversation between a young person and crisis responder continues)
Thanks. You really helped me get through this night.
You’re welcome. We’re here to support you. Have a good night.
(Kids Help Phone logo rises from the bottom of the screen)
At Kids Help Phone, we’re always here to support you.
(End slide with information to reach out to Kids Help Phone’s Crisis Text Line)
To learn more about how to connect with a volunteer crisis responder through text (SMS) on a mobile device, you can watch our texting video.
It can be helpful to share what’s going on for you by typing your feelings out. Youth can get support, without judgment, via text or online message 24/7 with Kids Help Phone’s texting service.
When you text 686868 from a text / SMS-enabled device or message online from a web browser on a phone or computer, we’ll connect you with a trained, volunteer crisis responder. A volunteer crisis responder can communicate with you about what’s on your mind and help you sort through your feelings at any time.
Your conversation with a volunteer crisis responder is confidential. To find out more about what that means, you can review our texting service’s privacy policy, which includes information on duty to report.
TAP TO TEXT TAP TO MESSAGE ONLINE
(Two people sitting on a bench in a park setting talking)
I don’t know what to do…maybe it’ll just go away.
We all struggle sometimes.
(Young person seated at a library appearing disheartened)
Why is this happening to me? Maybe I can figure it out…
We all have questions.
(Young person sitting on the floor next to their bed exchanging messages on their laptop)
I think they might be having a hard time…
We all need help sometimes.
(Back to two people sitting on a bench in a park setting talking)
Have you tried calling Kids Help Phone?
Whatever’s on your mind, no matter how big or small…
(Back to young person seated at a library)
Hmmm…Kids Help Phone?
Wherever you are in Canada…
(Back to young person sitting on the floor next to their bed exchanging messages)
I’ve called them before and they helped me. You could give it a try.
Whenever you want to talk, you can call Kids Help Phone.
(Image of a diverse range of phone counsellors in different settings)
Our professional counsellors are here for you 24/7 across Canada.
Call 1-800-668-6868
They provide free, totally private support for all kids, teens and young adults.
(Living room scene with icons of a landline, cellphone and VOIP services)
Free. 24/7. Confidential. Anonymous.
You can call using a landline, cellphone and some VoIP services.
(Young person is on the phone with a counsellor who is at their computer)
When you call, you’ll be greeted with a welcome message about what to expect during the call and your privacy.
You can choose French or English, or connect through Bell Relay Services.
(An indicator light alerts the counsellor to an incoming call and begin to speak)
You’ll be told where you are in the queue, and you’ll soon reach one of our counsellors. They’ll listen and support you to decide your next steps.
Hello, you’ve reached a counsellor. How can I support you today?
(The counsellor and young person engage in a conversation)
You can tell a counsellor whatever’s on your mind. They’ll help you talk it through.
(Back to two people sitting on a bench in a park setting talking)
If you’re struggling, have questions or need support…
(Back to young person seated at a library now with a phone in their hand)
(Back to young person sitting on the floor next to their bed exchanging messages)
We’re always here for you.
The KHP logo rises from the bottom of the screen. Text fades in.
(End slide with information to reach out to Kids Help Phone’s counselling services)
It can be comforting to hear a warm voice on the other end of the line when you need it. Youth can get support over the phone 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868. You can call us using a landline, cellphone or VoIP service on a computer.
When you call us, we’ll connect you with one of our professional counsellors. Our counsellors listen and ask questions to help you navigate through challenges and think about next steps that work for you.
Your phone conversation with a counsellor is confidential and anonymous. To find out more about what that means, check out our phone service’s privacy policy, which includes information on duty to report.
Prefer to communicate in writing with someone for help? Young people can use Kids Help Phone’s Live Chat counselling service to share what’s on their mind. Youth can visit our Live Chat web page to learn more about the service and access support in real time.
When you reach out via Live Chat, we’ll connect you with one of our professional counsellors. Our counsellors listen and ask questions to help you navigate through challenges and think about next steps that work for you.
Your chat conversation with a counsellor is confidential and anonymous. To find out more about what that means, check out our online chat service’s privacy policy, which includes information on duty to report.
Looking for more ways to get support and info? Here are some other resources to try:
You can also spend some time on Kids Help Phone’s website to look stuff up and find what you need on your own. You can try our interactive tools and games, read stories from young people and explore our articles for tips, info and inspiration. Our website’s chatbot Kip can help you navigate through our content and find what you’re looking for, too. All of our content is supported by experienced professionals and is based on the latest research in mental health.
