With the ever-accelerating changes in technology shaping how kids are growing up today, it is imperative we innovate and evolve to better meet young people along their mental health journey. When research revealed 71 per cent of youth prefer a non-verbal form of communication such as texting, we knew we needed to act.

To provide even more youth with access to 24/7 support, we partnered with Crisis Text Line, a U.S. based helpline, to launch our first nationwide texting service – Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone. We did this through a unique partnership with Canada Health Infoway, an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. We went from our very first texting conversation in February to completing more than 37,000 conversations nationwide by the end of the year!

The free, confidential texting service mobilizes volunteers who have completed 36 hours of rigorous online training. Once the training is complete, volunteer Crisis Responders sign up for shifts on an integrated platform. Our professional supervisors oversee all conversations in real-time, provide in-the-moment coaching to the volunteers, and connect with emergency services when required.

With the support of Canada Health Infoway and our founding texting donors, a pilot introduction of the service began in Manitoba in February. Following its positive results, we took the service to national launch in November.

“Since beginning our partnership two years ago, Canada Health Infoway has been impressed with Kids Help Phone’s commitment to innovation as well as their ability to quickly and successfully implement digital solutions like the national texting service,” says Michael Green, President, Canada Health Infoway. “Our investment, one of the first Canada Health Infoway has made in a charity, has demonstrated the incredible potential e-services have to change the health landscape in Canada. We look forward to our continued work together to provide young people across the country with greater access to mental health services."

Thank you to Canada Health Infoway and our founding texting donors, including Bell Let’s Talk, BMO Financial Group, Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, RBC Foundation, The Co-operators Group Limited, TELUS, Shail Silver and three anonymous donors.