Resources Around Me frequently asked questions

Resources Around Me is a free, searchable database with over 40,000 mental health and well-being support programs, service providers, locations and mobile apps. These resources are available in-person, digitally or over the phone in communities across Canada, and include support for:

• Indigenous youth
• basic needs
• emergency and crisis
• health care
• mental health
• addiction and substance use
• education and career questions
• legal and financial questions
• violence and abuse
• peer, family and social relationships

These are just some examples of the types of resources you can find in RAM. If you’re not sure where to start, you can always try the Guided Search!

Young people connect with Kids Help Phone about issues that are growing more complex over time, which means their need for support also continues to evolve. KHP created Resources Around Me to provide young people and caring adults across Canada with an easy-to-use and accessible tool that helps them search for and find the support they need. RAM includes useful information about resources like how to access them, who’s eligible, phone numbers and more — all so youth have more control over finding support that works for their needs.

All the resources featured in RAM are added by Resource Specialists at KHP who work to share up-to-date, accessible and inclusive resources. To learn more about how we decide whether to include a resource in our database, you can take a look at the frequently asked question below: What are RAM’s Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria for resources?

While we aim to add resources that meet these criteria, we don’t officially represent or endorse any of the listings within Resources Around Me. Likewise, the exclusion of a resource from KHP’s database doesn’t necessarily reflect poorly on that resource’s contribution to the community.

RAM also includes many English mobile apps (French apps coming soon). The apps listed come straight from the M-Health Index & Navigation Database, created by partners of KHP in the Division of Digital Psychiatry at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. This database uses the American Psychiatric Association’s App Evaluation Model, which is designed to give individuals the information they need to assess digital health tools on their own. A Mobile Apps Coordinator at KHP regularly evaluates and adds apps to this database that are searchable in Resources Around Me. We prioritize apps that are for youth, are free or low-cost, have a privacy policy and are created by reputable organizations.

Kids Help Phone has several criteria that we use to decide if we will include a resource in our database:

1. Resources must be accessible to everyone regardless of financial status. While we try to prioritize free resources, resources with a cost may be included if there’s a low (nominal) fee or a sliding-scale option.
2. Youth-focused resources are prioritized, with a minimum age requirement of five. However, to help ensure all available resources are searchable for people who use the tool, there is no specific maximum age requirement.
3. Resources offering support(s) to equity-deserving groups are prioritized, particularly if they serve all ages.
4. Resources must describe and offer support(s) free of discrimination. Support(s) must be inclusive and respectful of people from a range of demographics, including but not limited to race, class, gender identity and sexual orientation.
5. Not-for-profit organizations that offer services in health, well-being and advocacy and that do not charge service fees are prioritized.
6. Government resources (federal, provincial, county, municipal) that offer services in the areas of health, well-being and advocacy may be included (although we may not include all agencies, departments or services).
7. For-profit organizations are considered on an individual basis. Inclusion is based on:
   1. the uniqueness of support(s)
   2. the lack of comparable support(s) available through not-for-profit organizations
   3. the degree of need for the support(s) in a particular region or community
   4. the level of financially aided (subsidized) support(s) available
8. Private practitioners, including medical doctors, dentists, legal / paralegal providers, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers (in private practice), are not included in KHP’s database.
9. Resource records are displayed in English, French or both and must be verified in one of those languages.
10. Resources must provide a clear description of support(s) offered, including but not limited to: contact information, address, eligibility, hours of operation, area(s) served, language(s) offered, fees, documents required, age(s) served, population(s) served, website, social media account(s), application / referral / intake process and accessibility information.
11. Agencies must respond to emailed verification requests to help ensure data quality. KHP may edit information to meet style, format, space or other requirements. We may also choose to exclude resources from our database if the agency does not respond to requests for information or if the resource’s information can’t be verified by other means, such as resource-authorized publications or websites.
12. Resources must describe and offer support(s) aligned with KHP’s values. KHP reserves the right to refuse or remove listings for resources that have had serious complaints lodged against them with any regulatory body, KHP, or an information and referral centre in Canada, or that have participated in fraudulent or illegal activity.

KHP will send a copy of our Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria to those who request it, as well as maintain an up-to-date version of this policy online at all times.

KHP takes your privacy seriously. We don’t track or keep your search history or location information when you use Resources Around Me. We can’t trace anything back to you as a visitor of the tool. If you choose to let RAM access your location for more specific search results, your information isn’t stored by KHP. You can learn more in our privacy policy.

If you’d like some help seeking supports using Resources Around Me, you can explore the search tips page. If you can’t find what you’re searching for or would like to connect with someone at KHP about a specific resource / for wellness support, you can contact our e-mental health services.

We welcome all suggestions for resources to be included in our database! To suggest a resource, you can fill out KHP’s Submit a Resource form.