A surge in youth reaching out to Kids Help Phone in the Northern regions for mental health support, including thoughts of suicide, has set a new record, the non-profit organization reports. Since the onset of the pandemic, there has been a steady rise in calls each year, but the current year witnessed a substantial 24% increase nationwide. Notably, the Yukon experienced a 64% surge, followed by a 25% rise in the Northwest Territories and a 17% uptick in Nunavut during the first half of this year compared to the corresponding period last year.
Rebecca Shields, the president and CEO of Kids Help Phone, expressed concern over the escalating crisis, noting that they are receiving a crisis text every 90 seconds, with an alarming rise in younger individuals under the age of 12 contemplating suicide. Shields anticipates the numbers to escalate further when students resume school in September. The issues affecting young people are multifaceted, encompassing stress related to geopolitical matters, climate change, artificial intelligence, future uncertainties, living costs, social media, academic pressures, and relationship anxieties.
Shields highlighted that an increasing number of youths are grappling with feelings of depression and hopelessness. The organization is witnessing over double the volume of calls at night compared to daytime, indicating that most calls occur during the late hours when individuals are awake and alone, allowing time for contemplation on these issues.
In response to the growing demand, Kids Help Phone aims to attract more volunteers and receive increased donations to bolster its capacity. While the N.W.T. Department of Health and Social Services collaborates with Kids Help Phone, they did not respond to CBC’s interview request.
Psychotherapist Anansia Leslie-Bailey, who has observed a similar trend in her practice, emphasized the importance of young people being aware of available resources for assistance. According to data shared by Kids Help Phone, 78% of youths are disclosing their problems for the first time when connecting with an online counselor. Leslie-Bailey urged those struggling with mental health challenges to reach out to helplines, school counselors, or online psychologists for support.
She advised parents to communicate with their children proactively, even in non-crisis situations, to better understand their needs and provide necessary support. Various helplines are available for individuals in need of assistance, including those in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, as well as nationwide services like Kids Help Phone and the Suicide Crisis Helpline.