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Youth Crisis: North Sees Record Mental Health Calls
13 Aug
Summary
- Youth in the North are contacting Kids Help Phone for mental health issues.
- There was a 24% national increase in calls, with Yukon seeing 64% rise.
- Young people cite complex issues including climate change and social media.
Youth across Canada are experiencing a mental health crisis, with a record number of young people contacting Kids Help Phone. This year, the non-profit saw a dramatic 24% increase in calls nationally, with particularly steep rises in the North: Yukon reported a 64% increase, the Northwest Territories 25%, and Nunavut 17% in the first six months of this year compared to last.
The reasons cited by young callers are multifaceted, including stress from geopolitical events, climate change concerns, the impact of AI, rising living costs, and social media pressures, alongside typical anxieties about school and relationships. This has led to an increase in younger children, under 12, expressing suicidal thoughts.
Experts note that these issues are accumulating, making them difficult for teens to cope with. However, there is a positive aspect: young people are increasingly aware of and utilizing available resources, with 78% speaking about their problems for the first time via online counselling. The crisis line is observing more calls during the night when young people are awake and alone.
In response to the growing demand, Kids Help Phone is seeking more volunteers and donations to bolster its capacity. Mental health professionals encourage parents to proactively check in with their children and foster open communication. Various helplines and resources are available for those seeking support in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, and nationally.
