Today, Honda Canada Foundation, Honda's charitable arm in Canada, announced a $300,000 grant in support of Kids Help Phone's Counsellor in the Classroom program and activities supporting the wellness of Indigenous youth, two important and in-demand youth mental health services. The funds will be used over the next three years to ensure access to a greater number of students as the need for mental health assistance reaches critical levels.
Kids Help Phone's 'Counsellor in the Classroom' program promotes discussion of mental health and well-being among students in grades six through eight. Kids Help Phone's programs for Indigenous youth focus on providing them with skills, tools and resources to support their well-being. The programs were developed by Indigenous educators, school counsellors and community program workers under the leadership of Kids Help Phone's Indigenous Advisory Council.
"Mental health is fundamental to the overall well-being of our country's children and young adults," says Tony Facciolo, Chair of the Honda Canada Foundation. "One of Honda Canada Foundation's goals is to ensure young people are provided the resources they need to thrive—during the pandemic and in years to come. Supporting Kids Help Phone will assist more young people in recognizing mental health challenges and promote help-seeking behaviours as demand grows within our communities."
From November to December 2021, Kids Help Phone recorded a 127 per cent increase in youth interactions related to COVID-19 and recent studies have shown that the pandemic has exposed young people to feelings of helplessness and grief. As the need for youth mental health resources continues to climb in 2022, support from groups like Honda Canada Foundation gives Kids Help Phone the ability to respond more frequently and in more communities across the country.
"Kids Help Phone is proud to partner with Honda Canada Foundation to increase reach to young people through Counsellor in the Classroom as well as other programs supporting the wellness of Indigenous youth from across the country," says Jenny Yuen, SVP, National Partnerships & Government Relations. "Funding will go directly towards expanding these programs by responding to current and ongoing demand within communities. Both programs reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behaviour in school-aged youth. We are grateful for Honda Canada Foundation's ongoing support. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of young people from coast to coast to coast."
ABOUT HONDA CANADA FOUNDATION
Established in 2005, Honda Canada Foundation (HCF) aims to enable the realization of dreams through various annual philanthropic activities and funding to non-profit registered charities across Canada where Honda customers and associates live, work and play. HCF focuses on four key pillars – family, environment, engineering and education—and endeavors to donate more than $2 million each year to groups in need. More than 6.5 million Canadians have benefited from Honda Canada and Honda Canada Foundation funded charitable programs. For more information, please visit www.hondacanadafoundation.ca.
ABOUT KIDS HELP PHONE
Kids Help Phone is Canada's only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support in English and French to young people. As the country's virtual care expert, we give millions of youth a safe, trusted space to talk over phone and online chat or through text in any moment of crisis or need. Through our digital transformation, we envision a future where every person in Canada is able to get the support they need, when they need it most, however they need it. Kids Help Phone gratefully relies on the generosity of donors, volunteers, stakeholder partners, corporate partners and governments to fuel and fund our programs. Learn more at www.KidsHelpPhone.ca or @KidsHelpPhone.
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