Kids Help Phone expands texting service

Service being expanded to Nova Scotia with funding from Medavie

Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone is expanding to Nova Scotia with funding support from Medavie.

This new national program provides youth seeking immediate mental health support with access to a free, 24/7 texting service that connects them to trained volunteer crisis responders. This $50,000 grant brings Medavie’s support of Kids Help Phone to $90,000.

With the launch of Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone in Nova Scotia, youth can text TALK to 686868 on any text/SMS enabled cellphone for free and confidential support 24/7/365 with a trained volunteer crisis responder.

In 2017, Nova Scotia youth had the highest rate of suicide/ suicide-related counselling sessions – 35 per cent higher than the national average. The most frequently discussed issues with Kids Help Phone counsellors were suicide and suicide-related topics, followed by mental and emotional health, anxiety and depression.

Crisis interventions for Nova Scotia youth took place in 17 per cent of all Kids Help Phone 2017 counselling sessions, higher than the national average.

Through its Foundation, Medavie supports communitybased programs aligned with child and youth mental health, post-traumatic stress, and type 2 diabetes. Since late 2011, Medavie Health Foundation has committed more than $3 million to single and multi-year grant and partnership programs in Nova Scotia.