{"id":66020,"date":"2022-12-28T11:33:40","date_gmt":"2022-12-28T15:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/?post_type=articles&p=66020"},"modified":"2024-07-02T11:11:23","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T15:11:23","slug":"text-support-qa-with-a-black-crisis-responder","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/text-support-qa-with-a-black-crisis-responder\/","title":{"rendered":"Text support Q&A with a Black crisis responder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kids Help Phone\u2019s trained, volunteer crisis responders offer free, confidential text support to young people in Canada, 24\/7. But what is a crisis responder at Kids Help Phone? And how can they help young people through text-based support? In this interview, you can get to know Kris (he \/ him), one of Kids Help Phone\u2019s volunteer crisis responders. He chats about his journey with Kids Help Phone, his experiences as a Black man and his passion for our texting service for Black youth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young people across Canada can connect with Kids Help Phone\u2019s <\/em>e-mental health services<\/em><\/a> for support at any time. Black youth who identify as African, Caribbean, Black or a part of the Afro-diaspora can access free wellness support 24\/7 by texting RISE to 686868.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

\n Hi Kris! To start our Q&A, can you tell us how long you\u2019ve been a volunteer crisis responder with Kids Help Phone?<\/h2>\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been a volunteer crisis responder with Kids Help Phone for eight months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n We\u2019d love to get to know you better. Can you describe yourself in three words? <\/h2>\n\n\n

\u201cI would say that I am thoughtful, joyful and creative.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n Do you have any pets (plants count!)?<\/h2>\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have any pets, but I dream of having a dog one day. I do have an aloe plant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n What\u2019s something you like to do for fun?<\/h2>\n\n\n

\u201cI like to play Dungeons and Dragons<\/em>. It\u2019s really fun to make a character and role-play how they would act in the fantasy world you\u2019re in. The battles in the game can also get pretty intense, with a lot of them coming down to a single dice roll. If you like fantasy novels, video games or acting in general, I\u2019d highly recommend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Illustration<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

KHP is honoured to share creative content submitted by youth from coast to coast to coast as they Feel Out Loud with us. We thank the creator of this piece Jaylah A\u2019Drianna H<\/a>. for their contribution to youth mental health and well-being in Canada.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n RiseUp powered by Kids Help Phone<\/a>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n What made you want to offer text support at Kids Help Phone?<\/h2>\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to be able to help people who didn\u2019t have anyone in their own lives who they could go to when they were in need of help and support. When I was a kid, I often felt alone and like I had no one to turn to. I don\u2019t want other people to have to feel that way. As a Black man, I\u2019m especially passionate about helping to ensure Black youth have people they can turn to when they\u2019re in need through RiseUp powered by Kids Help Phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n Can you describe what a volunteer crisis responder does to provide text support?<\/h2>\n\n\n

\u201cA volunteer crisis responder helps by providing a space for texters to talk about whatever they\u2019re going through. Volunteer crisis responders try to help texters feel comfortable, so that they can openly share issues they\u2019re facing that they might not have talked about with anyone before. The volunteer crisis responder also helps the texter think of possible action \/ safety plans for their concerns, or ways they can manage difficult emotions arising from similar issues in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n What training did you do to become a volunteer crisis responder?<\/h2>\n\n\n

\u201cThe training required is an in-depth course where trainee crisis responders learn how to talk to people in crisis. Trainees go through mock crisis conversations and watch videos on communication skills. They learn about how best to help someone feel comfortable opening up in a conversation. Trainee crisis responders also learn how to help ensure texters leave a conversation feeling supported and confident that they can face whatever challenge they\u2019re coping with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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You can explore more ways to get support and resources from:<\/h2>\n\n \n