Photo credit: Skylar Larnez Photography<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For over 30 years, Kids Help Phone has been showing up for young people. And we know that a growing number of the youth we serve \u2014 and aim to serve \u2014 are Indigenous. We want to continue to be there for all young people across Canada. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve been working hard to ensure Indigenous youth have equal and equitable access to our services, whenever and wherever they need us most. We\u2019re also committed to highlighting the incredible achievements of Indigenous youth \u2014 and we can\u2019t do all of this alone!<\/p>\n\n\n
Unfortunately, not all people in Canada are treated equally or have equal access to support and resources. Inuit, M\u00e9tis and First Nations people<\/a>, whom we collectively refer to as Indigenous, often have very limited access to mental health services. At the same time, the ongoing effects of colonization are resulting in a greater need for essential supports like Kids Help Phone.<\/p>\n\n\n Equal access means that everyone has the same level of awareness of our services \u2014 and the same ability to reach out. But what do we mean by equitable services?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEquitable services are resources that are relevant and appropriate to meet the diverse needs of everyone,\u201d explained Deanna Dunham, manager of Indigenous Initiatives at Kids Help Phone. \u201cWe now have a clear plan for ensuring all youth across Canada can access our services, including free, 24\/7 counselling and text-based support, however they are able to reach out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n We released Finding Hope: Kids Help Phone\u2019s Action Plan for Supporting First Nations, Inuit and M\u00e9tis Young People<\/a> in March 2019. This three-year plan outlines how we\u2019re working in partnership with Indigenous youth, communities, organizations and allies to ensure Indigenous young people have equal and equitable access to our services from coast to coast to coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding Hope was developed and continues to be led by our Indigenous Advisory Council<\/a>. This council is composed of First Nations, Inuit and M\u00e9tis experts in the mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of Indigenous youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFinding Hope is an action plan that I feel truly honours Indigenous peoples, our histories, our struggles and our futures,\u201d said Indigenous Advisory Council co-chair Ashley Cummings. \u201cI see it providing so much opportunity, both for assistance and for including Indigenous peoples in all levels within Kids Help Phone.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding Hope is holistic. Its seven goals and 37 actions recognize that mental health is closely connected to many aspects of a young person\u2019s life including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensuring Indigenous people are well represented among our staff, volunteers and the businesses we work with is a key aspect of our Action Plan.<\/p>\n\n\n Kids Help Phone is a safe space for Indigenous youth to reach out for caring, confidential, non-judgmental support. Our counsellors and Crisis Responders receive ongoing, Indigenous-sourced training to help them understand the unique realities lived by many Indigenous youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur counsellors and Crisis Responders are learning how beneficial and evidence-based Indigenous healing practices are, and are beginning to include them in their referrals and conversations when requested by young people,\u201d said Dunham.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Through our digital channels, we\u2019ll profile Indigenous mentors and innovative programs while sharing opportunities for people in Canada to learn about Inuit, First Nations and M\u00e9tis peoples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re also standing side-by-side as an ally with Indigenous peoples as we strive as a country to remove long-standing inequalities and eliminate racism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We invite all people across Canada to join us in celebrating the amazing skills and contributions of Indigenous youth to science, arts, education and economies around the world. To learn more and help support Indigenous young people, check out <\/em>Finding Hope: Kids Help Phone\u2019s Action Plan for Supporting First Nations, Inuit and M\u00e9tis Young People<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Photo credit: Skylar Larnez Photography For over 30 years, Kids Help Phone has been showing up for young people. And we know that a growing number of the youth we serve \u2014 and aim to serve \u2014 are Indigenous. We want to continue to be there for all young people across Canada. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve […]<\/p>\n\n What is service equity?<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n What is Kids Help Phone doing to achieve service equity?<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\n How is Kids Help Phone supporting Indigenous youth who reach out?<\/h2>\n\n\n