Advancing equity programs for youth mental health
Systemic inequality and discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality, disability, income, and immigration status are some of the key determinants of well-being, livelihood, and overall positive social and economic outcomes for communities in Canada.
Equity at the core
Kids Help Phone has a long history of advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) through tailored programs, services, policies, initiatives and task forces. We will not waver on these commitments.
You can help us meet young people where they are: in any language, at any hour, with support that feels personal and relevant.
Communities contacting Kids Help Phone
Key demographics from young people who contacted Kids Help Phone by text in 2025:
10%
of survey respondents identified as Indigenous (versus 5% in the overall Canadian population).
7%
of survey respondents identified as Black (versus 4% in the overall Canadian population).
8%
of survey respondents identified as newcomers.
Finding hope
The impacts of colonization on First Nations, Inuit and Métis young people are ongoing, intergenerational and outmatched only by the resilience of Indigenous people.
Under the leadership of the Indigenous Advisory Council, we’ve developed Finding Hope: Kids Help Phone’s Action Plan for Supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Young People.
Join us as we scale and enhance our programs and services, developing new and innovative approaches that will help unlock the hope Inuit, Métis and First Nations youth need to thrive in their world.
RiseUp
Anti-Black racism can create significant barriers when African, Caribbean and Black youth try to connect for mental health and wellness support.
In collaboration with the Black Advisory Council and through the generous support of donors and partners, we’ve developed RiseUp: Kids Help Phone’s Action Plan for Supporting Black Youth.
Together, we continue to build the trust of Black youth and communities, break down barriers and rise to meet young people’s mental health needs.
New Journeys
With projected immigration levels expected to rise significantly over the coming years, and newcomers from various countries feeling impacted by many world crises, it’s more important than ever for newcomers to have access to the support they need, in ways they need it most.
Built on recommendations from newcomer youth and communities, we’ve developed New Journeys: Kids Help Phone’s Mental Health Action Plan for Newcomers to Canada.
With your support, Kids Help Phone will amplify outreach, develop newcomer-specific programming and continuously enhance our services and in more languages.