Kids Help Phone increases support for Black youth

Acting on its commitment to help equity-deserving communities thrive, Kids Help Phone
(KHP) is launching RiseUp: Kids Help Phone’s Action Plan for Supporting Black Youth.
KHP will build on the tailored services and programs to support African, Caribbean and
Black youth across Canada with a plan that expands e-mental health services to be more
equitable, accessible and culturally informed.
The RiseUp action plan has five ambitious goals and 29 actions that will guide support for
Black communities in Canada. Anti-Black racism and systemic racism create significant
barriers when Black youth seek mental health support. Understanding that e-mental health
services for Black youth must be community-informed and community-led, RiseUp was
informed by Black youth and community leaders.
Kids Help Phone engaged with more than 200 African, Caribbean and Black youth to find
out more about barriers they face when accessing support to mental health care. Following
the engagement sessions, Kids Help Phone developed the KHP Black Advisory Council –
a group of community leaders with a shared commitment to Black excellence and joy – to
provide strategic direction for the ongoing development of RiseUp.
The KHP Black Youth Initiatives team implements the action plan. Through this action
plan KHP will innovate new and responsive ways of supporting Black youth with their
mental health and wellness. This includes:
* Expanding awareness of KHP services for Black youth and building trust in communities
by developing deeper connections with community centres, schools, pediatric hospitals,
shelters, sports organizations and Black content creators.
* Adding 200 Black community resources into KHP’s Resources Around Me database – an
interactive tool that helps young people find and connect with trusted community supports.
* Increasing the number of African, Caribbean and Black employees at KHP to ensure its
staff reflects the voices and experiences of young people from the Afro-diaspora.
* Recruiting 100+ African, Caribbean and Black volunteers as crisis responders each year.
* Developing volunteer and mentorship programs tailored for African, Caribbean and
Black youth.
Kids Help Phone’s services can bridge the 24-7 gap to support African, Caribbean and
Black young people with e-mental health support, particularly when there are barriers to
other services. Through the RiseUp action plan, they’re expanding awareness and trust of
the services so more Black youth know KHP is here for them.
Black youth across Canada can access free wellness support 24/7 by texting RISE to
686868. Support from a professional counsellor via phone or Live Chat is also available.
RiseUp is funded by the Government of Canada, The Slaight Family Foundation,
Tangerine and Empire Company Limited.